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Tight end has been a bizarre position for the Los Angeles Rams under Sean McVay. A former tight ends coach himself, McVay hasn't utilized the position as much as some expected him to. But that changed in 2025 when he and the Rams leaned heavily into 13 personnel, running three-tight end sets more than any other team – and succeeding more than any other team, too.
Colby Parkinson was a key player in those 13 personnel packages, operating as the Rams' TE1 just about the entire year. It paid off because he finished with career-highs in receptions (43), yards (408) and touchdowns (eight). In his previous five seasons combined, he scored only five touchdowns.
Heading into the final year of his $22.5 million deal, Parkinson remains an important player for Los Angeles, coming in at No. 18 on our list.
The Rams signed Parkinson to a three-year, $22.5 million deal in 2023, bringing him over after he spent four years with the Seahawks to start his career. He played all 17 games in his first season with the Rams but his numbers lagged behind, catching just 30 passes for 294 yards and one touchdown as Los Angeles' top tight end.
15 games (10 starts): 56 targets, 43 receptions, 408 yards, 8 TDs
Parkinson is one of five tight ends expected to make the Rams' 53-man roster, so it's a crowded room. Even with Tyler Higbee being re-signed, and with Terrance Ferguson on the rise, Parkinson is expected to remain the Rams' No. 1 tight end. That doesn't mean he'll play 95% of the snaps, but he should be their primary inline tight end and almost always be on the field in 13 personnel.
Where Parkinson could lose playing time is in obvious passing situations when the Rams go to 11 personnel. Those packages could skew more toward Ferguson, who functions like a receiver with his catch radius and athleticism. Ferguson could wind up being a de facto slot receiver for Los Angeles, with Parkinson getting more blocking reps.
But given Parkinson's impact and chemistry with Matthew Stafford, he'll still be a popular red zone target and short-yardage option.
Including the playoffs, Parkinson scored nine touchdowns, which was the third-most among all tight ends last season. Unfortunately, his seven dropped passes were also tied for the most of any tight end. He made some difficult catches look easy, but he also made easier catches look inexplicably challenging.
No matter what personnel grouping the Rams are in, they almost always have a tight end on the field. Tight ends help set things up in the run game because they're required to block linebackers, edge rushers and safeties, while also cracking down on interior defenders at times, too.
Parkinson is a well-rounded tight end who can block, run routes and catch passes. Higbee has lost a step as a receiver, Ferguson still needs work as a blocker, and Davis Allen has seemingly hit his ceiling. Parkinson provides value in both the run and pass game, whether he's in the slot or attached to the formation.
If he were to go down, the Rams would have the depth to fill that void, but they'd lose a key red zone weapon and a decent blocker, too.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams' 26 most important players for 2026 – No. 18: TE Colby Parkinson
Continue reading...
Colby Parkinson was a key player in those 13 personnel packages, operating as the Rams' TE1 just about the entire year. It paid off because he finished with career-highs in receptions (43), yards (408) and touchdowns (eight). In his previous five seasons combined, he scored only five touchdowns.
Heading into the final year of his $22.5 million deal, Parkinson remains an important player for Los Angeles, coming in at No. 18 on our list.
How he got here
The Rams signed Parkinson to a three-year, $22.5 million deal in 2023, bringing him over after he spent four years with the Seahawks to start his career. He played all 17 games in his first season with the Rams but his numbers lagged behind, catching just 30 passes for 294 yards and one touchdown as Los Angeles' top tight end.
2025 stats
15 games (10 starts): 56 targets, 43 receptions, 408 yards, 8 TDs
Projected role
Parkinson is one of five tight ends expected to make the Rams' 53-man roster, so it's a crowded room. Even with Tyler Higbee being re-signed, and with Terrance Ferguson on the rise, Parkinson is expected to remain the Rams' No. 1 tight end. That doesn't mean he'll play 95% of the snaps, but he should be their primary inline tight end and almost always be on the field in 13 personnel.
Where Parkinson could lose playing time is in obvious passing situations when the Rams go to 11 personnel. Those packages could skew more toward Ferguson, who functions like a receiver with his catch radius and athleticism. Ferguson could wind up being a de facto slot receiver for Los Angeles, with Parkinson getting more blocking reps.
But given Parkinson's impact and chemistry with Matthew Stafford, he'll still be a popular red zone target and short-yardage option.
One thing to know
Including the playoffs, Parkinson scored nine touchdowns, which was the third-most among all tight ends last season. Unfortunately, his seven dropped passes were also tied for the most of any tight end. He made some difficult catches look easy, but he also made easier catches look inexplicably challenging.
Why he's important
No matter what personnel grouping the Rams are in, they almost always have a tight end on the field. Tight ends help set things up in the run game because they're required to block linebackers, edge rushers and safeties, while also cracking down on interior defenders at times, too.
Parkinson is a well-rounded tight end who can block, run routes and catch passes. Higbee has lost a step as a receiver, Ferguson still needs work as a blocker, and Davis Allen has seemingly hit his ceiling. Parkinson provides value in both the run and pass game, whether he's in the slot or attached to the formation.
If he were to go down, the Rams would have the depth to fill that void, but they'd lose a key red zone weapon and a decent blocker, too.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams' 26 most important players for 2026 – No. 18: TE Colby Parkinson
Continue reading...
