The Los Angeles Rams have officially locked up another member of their 2026 draft class, signing second-round pick Max Klare to his rookie contract. The agreement removes any uncertainty surrounding one of the organization’s most intriguing offensive additions and allows the talented tight end to focus solely on preparing for his first NFL season. Klare was selected with the 61st overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft after a productive collegiate career at both Purdue and Ohio State.
Klare entered the draft as one of the most complete tight ends in the class. His combination of receiving ability, route-running precision, athleticism, and willingness to contribute as a blocker made him an attractive target for head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead. The Rams have invested heavily in the tight end position over the last two drafts, selecting Terrance Ferguson in 2025 before adding Klare this spring.
Over the course of his college career, Klare accumulated 114 receptions for 1,329 receiving yards and six touchdowns while playing in two of the nation’s premier conferences. His production at Purdue established him as a legitimate NFL prospect before he elevated his profile further at Ohio State against elite competition. Klare earned multiple All-Big Ten honors and demonstrated the versatility that NFL evaluators covet in modern tight ends.
The Rams clearly believe Klare can become a major piece of their offense. Despite already having veterans such as Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, and younger contributors including Terrance Ferguson and Davis Allen, the organization still used a valuable second-round selection on Klare. That investment speaks volumes about how highly the franchise views his long-term potential.
There is also reason to believe Klare could contribute immediately. Reports following the draft suggested the Rams expect him to play as a rookie and begin building chemistry with fellow draft pick Ty Simpson, who is viewed as the franchise quarterback of the future. With several veteran tight ends approaching key contract decisions in the coming years, Klare could quickly become an integral part of Los Angeles’ offensive plans.
According to OvertheCap, Klare’s rookie contract is 4 years $8.075 million with a $2.33 million signing bonus. His cap hit in 2026 will be $1.47 million.
With Klare now under contract, the Rams are nearly finished signing their 2026 draft class. Quarterback Ty Simpson and defensive lineman Tim Keenan III are now the only remaining unsigned rookies. Neither situation appears concerning at this stage of the offseason, as rookie contract negotiations often continue into the summer. Los Angeles has already signed Keagen Trost and CJ Daniels, leaving just those two deals to complete before the entire draft class is officially under contract.
