In 2025, the Los Angeles Rams offense evolved from a team that was primarily based on one tight end to a unit that embraced three. L.A. coach Sean McVay didn’t use the three tight end formation until Week 6 of the regular season and from then on, according to Next Gen Stats, proceeded to employ it on 43 percent of plays going forward.
The Rams appear to be all-in on staying with the multiple tight end offense. They basically left the wide receiver corps alone, only adding a Round 6 draft pick (CJ
Daniels) and instead drafted another receiver-first tight end, Max Klare, in Round 2. They also re-signed veteran Tyler Higbee.
At eight-strong, the L.A. tight end room is a deep, solid mix of veterans and youngsters. All have good hands, are good route runners, and can attack/stretch defenses. How many will be on the Rams opening roster? A likelihood of five and the in-house competition should testing for them all.
Incumbents
Colby Parkinson – 6’7” 252 lb.
After five seasons in the NFL as a rotational player, Parkinson put up career best numbers in starts, snaps, targets, receptions, yards, touchdowns, and catch percentage. Is he ready for a breakout? Or is this his ceiling as a pro?
Came out of college as a receiver-first tight end. Drafted by Seattle and Pete Carroll, the Seahawks used a lot of two tight end formations, but didn’t really harness the unit as weapons. Parkinson never really broke through over four seasons in the Great Northwest, his first three seasons were as TE#3. However, his usage did go up each season and in 2023, he was on the field for nearly 50 percent of snaps as TE#2. He also improved his blocking chops with Seattle and is now visibly bigger than when he entered the league. At his best, Parkinson shows good hands and an ability to to box out smaller defenders. He runs crisp routes and can be dangerous at all depth’s.
Tyler Higbee – 6’6” 249 lb.
The Rams brought Higbee back for 2026 on a two-year deal worth up to $8 mil and only half guaranteed, well-below his previous contract. Now 33 and entering his 11th season as the Rams longest tenured player, it will be interesting to see how the season wears on his body. He should be at his par early in the early going, but after being dogged by injuries for most of his career, will the Rams need him to play through the pain now that they have a fully stocked tight end room?
It is quite likely that Higbee will no longer man a feature role in the Rams offense. But his role is not just dependent on the continued development of Terrance Ferguson and incoming Round 2 pick Max Klare, it may also hinge on how the youngsters are used in the 2026 offense. If they are in games as a pseudo-WR#3, Higbee should have a fair share of the rotation. He’s a better blocker than both youngsters and Sean McVay/Matthew Stafford are comfortable targeting him, particularly on screen passes.
Davis Allen – 6’6” 245 lb.
Allen enters his fourth season in L.A. and is in the final year of his rookie contract. He’s coming off his best season as a pro, playing in all 20 games with six starts and logging 585 offensive reps, second amongst Rams tight ends, along with 211 on special teams. According to Next Gen stats, Allen was on the field for 100 percent of snaps when the Rams aligned with three tight ends (“13” formation). He caught 24 of 33 targets (three drops) for 208 yards, accounting for three touchdowns and 12 first downs.
For coming into the league as a receiver-first tight end, Allen has really worked on upgrading his blocking. Known a a vacuum coming onto the league, he strangely has had some drops. Likely best suited to shorter routes and red zone work, his burst is adequate, but lumbers in space. Good explosiveness for contested catches and jump balls. Solid hand/eye coordination and body control as well. Long, lean build doesn’t look much bigger than when he got to L.A. As a blocker, his technique and hand work are much improved, he squares up and seals off, and has become much more of drive blocker.
Pedigreed draftees
Terrance Ferguson – 6’5” 247 lb.
Battled injuries in his rookie year, a groin early and a hamstring late in the season, but still gave a sneak preview of what Rams fans can expect from him. Ferguson showed an ability to get behind defenders and make big plays on the way to averaging 21 yards per catch. Although there are still some issues to be worked out, catch percentage and showing physicality on contested catches, he was able to show that he’s got the hybrid chops to blur the lines of traditional “11”, “12”, and “13” personnel groupings.
His rookie film shows crisp routes with sharp breaks that can create separation and long stride, build up speed to run past heavier-footed safeties and linebackers. Did not show a lot of yards after catch running with the ball in a small sample size, 11 catches on 25 targets. Ferguson’s blocking was not near as bad as draft pundits laid out. Yes there’s plenty of room for improvement, he’s certainly not a power player to drive defenders or land stunning strikes, but he did show the ability to get his long arms extended, stay in front, and lock out/screen off.
Max Klare – 6’4” 246 lb.
Another receiver-first hybrid from the same basic mold as Ferguson. While not an explosive athlete, Klare has natural fluidity with good arm length and loose hips. He was a high school quarterback, tight end, punter, and kicker as well as a top-tier baseball player that competed on the diamond in his first college season. Check out his film at Purdue and you see another TE prospect that can stretch defenses getting deep, or pressuring at the mid areas of the field. The Boilermakers lined him up all over the formation. Ohio State used him in a more traditional manner, but his best work was done out of the slot.
Good route runner with a varied tree and shows a good feel for open areas in zones. More of a body catcher and his hands rate as good, not great. Transitions up field quickly and has good moves in open space for a big guy. But he’s not a finesse runner, he shows good contact balance, can break tackles, and finishes falling forward. Improved his blocking at Ohio State, but needs needs play strength work and hand placement to become an NFL blocker. He is however, willing and is agile when blocking in space.
Undrafted roster battle
Originally signed by Michigan to play quarterback, didn’t play much in two years (one redshirt). Transferred to Syracuse and moved to tight end for 2022. Slightly above average arm length (32 1/4”) and big, soft hands. On film, Villari looks like a fluid athlete. Used on simpler routes, primarily out of the slot. He quickly (1.66 10-yard split) gets to his spot and gives his quarterback a nice square target. Nice feel for open space. Plucks passes with his hands away from his body and tucks them away quickly. As an open-field runner, I’d use “competitive” as the descriptor, he gets north/south in a hurry and stays low, running through contact.
Developmental prospect, but you can see his base traits. Villari has been on the receiving end of passes just three short years. Interesting versatility, ran the ball out of wildcat formation, can throw pretty well, and has very good hands. Needs route-running work, although his short area agility, natural athleticism, and football IQ hints that he can handle a bigger route tree. Additional strength work is also needed, but looks to have playmaking potential.
A hybrid tight end with the formational versatility to play inline, the slot, on the wing and out of the backfield. Built like a big receiver, muscled arms and good upper body strength. Pedestrian athletic testing. Never broke through as a full-time starter through college stops at Maine, Montana State, and Arkansas. Nonetheless, he won some FCS All-American accolades and had an extraordinary amount of big plays. Garnered good Pro Football Focus grades against SEC competition in 2025.
He has the traits to be a good route runner, makes sharp cuts out of breaks, doesn’t round them off, and has a very good feel for sitting down in soft areas of zones. Good ball tracker and body control to corral off-line throws. Strong at contested catches. Appears to be a pretty good open-field runner, catch/run transition is fluid, shows a second gear and runs with good contact balance. As a pro, he’ll need to be more physical and work on blocking.
Mark Redman – 6’6” 263 lb.
One of the top tight end recruits in the nation, originally signed with Washington, Spent two seasons in the Northwest before coaching changes at UW prompted Redman to jump to San Diego State for two seasons. He joined up with Louisville for his final year of eligibility. As a receiver, Redman was used on simple routes, he shows good hands, catches away from his body, and sharp hand/eye coordination. Technically sound blocker, but not a thumping play style. Redman has fairly nimble feet and consistently seals off his 1on1 blocks, staying between his man and the ball carrier whether downfield or at the line of scrimmage.
Under the radar, but worth keeping an eye on in camp to see how much improvement he shows. There’a base talent there and Redman is a fairly polished prospect, was on the John Mackey Award watchlist twice for best tight end in the nation. His athleticism is adequate for his big frame, with natural skills and is a smooth and fluid mover. He was a top college recruit, stood out in smaller conference and made the step-up in competition.
2026 outlook: Who’s in and who’s out
There’s just too much returning depth for undrafted prospects to overcome. It will be a really tough row to hoe, even though they all have some plus traits. Seasoning on the practice squad is called for. Dan Villari is still in the learning stages of the position and needs play strength, but attacks the game with a QB’s competitive will. The film on Rohan Jones shows better speed /athleticism than he tested and packs ferocity in a relatively smaller package. Willing blocker and good open-field runner. Mark Redman brings an old school vibe, a bit lumbering, but great size and well-rounded game. Steady blocker and receiver.
I fully expect the Rams to roster five tight ends, the four returning vets and incoming rookie. Terrance Ferguson and Max Klare can capably line up anywhere, taking advantage of mismatches, and always be a threat to attack deep. Davis Allen made a huge step up in 2025 and has upgraded his snap numbers and production every season. If doing the dirty work earns targets, he’s at the front of the line in 2026. Although Tyler Higbee is on the back end of a solid career, there’s still a role for him in the multiple tight end offense. Fewer reps should keep him fresher, longer. Colby Pakinson has the tools and now, the confidence and understanding of the Rams offense to build on last years showing.
For the Rams tight end room, right now, the sum is better than the individual parts. And a solid five-man rotation is special. This unit is built to compete and win right now, and if the youngsters continue to develop, well inyo the future.
