The Los Angeles Rams’ selection of tight end Max Klare was met with some head scratching last month. On the surface, it seems rich for LA to spend its first pick in each of the last two drafts on the same position—especially one generally viewed as lower value. However, even though Klare and Terrance Ferguson share the same label on the roster, they are vastly different players.
Drafting tight ends in back-t0-back years may look redundant, but the Rams clearly see Ferguson and Klare as very different
weapons. Ferguson is a vertical field-stretcher. Klare is an intermediate pass catcher with YAC ability. If both develop as intended, they could give Sean McVay a new way to strain defense. Fans should be excited about this duo’s potential moving forward.
Ferguson is one of the most unique players at the position in all the NFL. He’s one of a kind. Passes thrown his direction averaged a depth of 18.3 yards during his rookie year. For a rough comparison, Ferguson is effectively the Will Fuller or Alec Pierce of tight ends.
While Klare is more of a receiving weapon than a blocker, he’s an intermediate option in the passing game and averaged less than eight yards in average depth of target (ADOT) across his college career at Ohio State and Purdue. The shorter target depth is somewhat hidden by the stat sheet. Klare still averaged 11.4 yards per reception and 5.6 yards after the catch.
Change is certain at TE
Los Angeles enters 2026 with a wealth of tight ends. The depth chart has a rough outlook along the following lines.
- Colby Parkinson – Primary starter
- Terrance Ferguson – WR hybrid and vertical threat
- Tyler Higbee – Role contributor as a blocker with receiving threat
- Davis Allen – Role contributor primarily as a blocker
- Max Klare – Role contributor primarily as a pass catcher
Parkinson, Higbee, and Allen are all blocking-first types of players, although Parkinson grew more productive as a receiver in his second season in LA. Parkinson and Allen enter contract years are both entering contract years. The Rams could easily move on from Higbee next offseason despite him signing a two-year deal earlier this year.
Ferguson and Klare are obviously the future of the position. Still, neither is complete enough as a blocker right now to handle the full job alone, especially given how often the Rams use multiple-TE and heavier personnel sets.
Ferguson saw his playing time increase significantly towards the end of last season. Given Klare’s receiving and YAC prowess, I think he has strong odds to be on the field more often than most initially expect. The learning curve is steep for rookie TE’s. Still, Klare was a second-round pick and widely viewed as on of the top players at his position in this draft class behind Kenyon Sadiq. That ranking somewhat depends on whether Eli Stowers is classified as a tight end or more as a receiver. There is notable playing time up for grabs, especially if Parkinson is unable to continue his pass catching success or loses time because of injury.
The Rams’ offense in evolving. Ferguson is closer to a receiver than a traditional tight end. Klare allows the Rams to put him on the field anywhere and still add lethality to the passing game. The two cannot only co-exist but do so in a meaningful and beautiful way. Most will scoff at the Rams drafting tight ends early two years in a row; however, they should complement each other in positive ways for the foreseeable future.
While the future of the tight end position is entirely uncertain in Los Angeles, the Rams should be in good hands long-term with Ferguson and Klare. If the team’s vision for these two players comes to fruition, McVay’s scheme will dramatically shift and the head coach will be able to stress defenses in ways we haven’t quite seen before. All without mentioning the dynamic threat of Puka Nacua and others.
Fans should be excited about the long-term potential of Ferguson and Klare. The Rams could be on their way to a new competitive edge on offense.
