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Tight ends were featured heavily in the Los Angeles Rams offense last season, with four different players contributing in a significant way. Colby Parkinson led the way, with Tyler Higbee, Terrance Ferguson and Davis Allen also chipping in.
Entering the 2026 season, the same four players are back in the mix, with a rookie added to the equation, as well. It's a position of strength for Los Angeles, even if there isn't a clear-cut TE1 on the roster.
Training camp will help sort this group out a little bit, but no matter how guys perform in practice, it's once again going to be a committee approach at tight end.
Parkinson is viewed as the team's No. 1 tight end right now, so he's safe. Higbee signed an extension to remain with the Rams, also making him safe. And there's no chance the Rams are going to cut Ferguson or Klare, so they'll be on the 53-man roster.
Even if the Rams go into the season with this quartet of tight ends, they will be in excellent shape – better than most other NFL teams. Again, they're lacking a go-to weapon at this position, but they have strength in numbers and are flush with depth.
In all likelihood, Allen will make the team. The only thing that could keep him off it is the sheer depth at tight end, with four other quality players, but he's still good enough to warrant keeping for another season – even if it's as the No. 4 or 5 tight end.
He brings value as both a blocker and receiver, using his big frame and height to give Stafford a target with a wide catch radius.
Similar to the wide receivers who are buried on the depth chart, it's hard to see a scenario where any of these three tight ends make the team. There are just too many players ahead of them, and there's no chance the team will keep six tight ends on the 53-man roster.
Best-case scenario, they end up on the practice squad and continue developing until 2027, when Parkinson, Higbee and Allen could all be gone.
Parkinson was the Rams' top tight end in terms of targets and snaps played last year, but he doesn't offer the receiving upside that someone like Ferguson does. He's also a better blocker than Ferguson, and at this point in their careers, he's a better pass-catcher than Higbee.
None of their roles are determined, and it could be a situation where Parkinson gets the bulk of the snaps in 11 personnel, with Ferguson and Higbee working in when the Rams go with 12 or 13 personnel. There is a chance, though, that Ferguson takes a major step forward in Year 2 and makes it impossible for the Rams to take him off the field, no matter the personnel.
Klare is someone to watch in training camp and the preseason. He's bound to get a lot of playing time in the preseason with the Rams expected to rest their top players, so that could be a time for him to show off his receiving skills.
He's a terrific athlete who didn't do any testing at the combine, but his athleticism shows on the field when he's running routes and catching passes. If he can improve as a blocker, he could be a future replacement for Higbee – and potentially even an immediate contributor.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams training camp preview: Strength in numbers at TE
Continue reading...
Entering the 2026 season, the same four players are back in the mix, with a rookie added to the equation, as well. It's a position of strength for Los Angeles, even if there isn't a clear-cut TE1 on the roster.
Training camp will help sort this group out a little bit, but no matter how guys perform in practice, it's once again going to be a committee approach at tight end.
Roster locks
- Colby Parkinson
- Tyler Higbee
- Terrance Ferguson
- Max Klare
Parkinson is viewed as the team's No. 1 tight end right now, so he's safe. Higbee signed an extension to remain with the Rams, also making him safe. And there's no chance the Rams are going to cut Ferguson or Klare, so they'll be on the 53-man roster.
Even if the Rams go into the season with this quartet of tight ends, they will be in excellent shape – better than most other NFL teams. Again, they're lacking a go-to weapon at this position, but they have strength in numbers and are flush with depth.
Likely to make it
- Davis Allen
In all likelihood, Allen will make the team. The only thing that could keep him off it is the sheer depth at tight end, with four other quality players, but he's still good enough to warrant keeping for another season – even if it's as the No. 4 or 5 tight end.
He brings value as both a blocker and receiver, using his big frame and height to give Stafford a target with a wide catch radius.
On the bubble
- Mark Redman
- Rohan Jones
- Dan Villari
Similar to the wide receivers who are buried on the depth chart, it's hard to see a scenario where any of these three tight ends make the team. There are just too many players ahead of them, and there's no chance the team will keep six tight ends on the 53-man roster.
Best-case scenario, they end up on the practice squad and continue developing until 2027, when Parkinson, Higbee and Allen could all be gone.
Position battle to watch
- TE1: Parkinson vs. Higbee vs. Ferguson
Parkinson was the Rams' top tight end in terms of targets and snaps played last year, but he doesn't offer the receiving upside that someone like Ferguson does. He's also a better blocker than Ferguson, and at this point in their careers, he's a better pass-catcher than Higbee.
None of their roles are determined, and it could be a situation where Parkinson gets the bulk of the snaps in 11 personnel, with Ferguson and Higbee working in when the Rams go with 12 or 13 personnel. There is a chance, though, that Ferguson takes a major step forward in Year 2 and makes it impossible for the Rams to take him off the field, no matter the personnel.
Potential sleeper
- Max Klare
Klare is someone to watch in training camp and the preseason. He's bound to get a lot of playing time in the preseason with the Rams expected to rest their top players, so that could be a time for him to show off his receiving skills.
He's a terrific athlete who didn't do any testing at the combine, but his athleticism shows on the field when he's running routes and catching passes. If he can improve as a blocker, he could be a future replacement for Higbee – and potentially even an immediate contributor.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams training camp preview: Strength in numbers at TE
Continue reading...
