Colby

Parkinson

Parkinson, functioning as Matthew Stafford’s primary check down option, led the Rams with a hefty 29 percent target share. Parkinson now has 20 targets over his past two games in a Rams offense that has been run heavy in recent weeks, but was pass-first in Week 5 against Green Bay. Parkinson should be a top-12 fantasy play unless and until Cooper Kupp or Puka Nacua return to the LA lineup following the team’s Week 6 bye.

Parkinson saw the second-most targets on the team, though that conveyed into just 33 total yards on the day. He is the definitive No. 1 TE on the team and will be a top-three option in the passing game with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua out. However, it will be a frustrating journey through the depleted Rams offense. Parkinson is a touchdown-dependent TE2 play against the Packers in Week 5.

Parkinson technically finished with a team-high six targets though one was ultimately negated. The usage is encouraging but Parkinson remains a frustrating, touchdown-dependent option. He is a TE2 against the Bears in Week 4.

Parkinson was once again the primary tight end for the Rams offense, though that did not amount to much in a blowout loss. Parkinson saw a target he dropped in the red zone and caught his other one for a gain of 12 yards. Expect better days ahead for Parkinson, who can be fired up as a TE2 for Week 3 against the 49ers.

Parkinson played most of the game for the Rams, filling in admirably as the primary all-purpose tight end for Sean McVay’s 11-personnel-heavy offense. Backup tight end Davis Allen played sparingly and saw just one target, meaning Parkinson can likely be started with confidence on a weekly basis in deep leagues and scooped off the wire for consistent floor.

Rodrigue has steadily beat the drum for the Rams’ tight end room this offseason, though it remains to be seen how much of a personnel shift Sean McVay will employ, having led the league in 11 personnel usage in five-of-seven seasons as the Rams head coach. Tight ends coach Nick Caley, who coached the Patriots’ tight ends from 2017-to-2022, reportedly turned down an offer for the Patriots’ open offensive coordinator role this offseason, “in part because of the group of players he coaches in L.A.” Fantasy managers should continue monitoring second-year TE Davis Allen and free-agent signee TE Colby Parkinson’s training camp development while starter Tyler Higbee rehabilitates a pair of Grade 3 ACL and MCL tears that occurred on January 14th.

The update comes passively from team reporter Stu Jackson, who mentions that Higbee’s return-to-play date remains unknown. Isolated ACL tears typically require at least nine months of rehabilitation and Higbee’s combination ACL/MCL injury occurred on January 14th. The PUP list’s minimum four-game stay makes sense. GM Les Snead signed free agent TE Colby Parkinson to a three-year, $22.5 million deal this offseason, ostensibly giving him the first crack at replacing Higbee as the team’s Week 1 starter. Parkinson never earned a full-time role with the Seahawks but tallied 15 explosive pass plays (15-plus yards) as a backup over the last two years.

Ok then. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the deal includes a whopping $15.5 million guaranteed. “Whopping” because Parkinson is 25 years old with 57 catches in four years. He has earned solid pass-blocking grades. Less so in the run game. Coach Sean McVay nevertheless sees projectability in a pass catcher who managed 25 grabs each of the past two years in a crowded Seahawks skill corps and tight end group. This will be a situation where we need to closely monitor the coach comments this summer.

Dissly’s 2023 season ends with just 20 catches for 216 yards and two touchdowns while working in a three-way timeshare with Noah Fant and Colby Parkinson for most of the season. None of the three are recommended fantasy options heading into the offseason for dynasty players.

Parkinson only made three catches on the day, but two of them were clutch ones. One was on third down to keep a drive alive in the third quarter and then he caught the game-winner in tight coverage with under a minute to go. Parkinson is not putting up big numbers in a crowded Seattle passing game, but he has seemingly emerged as the main pass-catching option among the tight ends. That still doesn’t make him a recommended fantasy play in most weeks.