The Los Angeles Rams selected tight end Max Klare in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Klare is expected to compete for playing time and potentially replace veteran Tyler Higbee in the future.
Key points
Max Klare was drafted by the Rams in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
He joins a deep tight end room with Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, and Terrance Ferguson.
Klare's playing time may be limited in his rookie year.
The Rams view Klare as a future contributor to the offense.
Higbee's contract extends through 2027, while Parkinson is in the last year of his contract.
Los Angeles RamsMax KlareTyler HigbeeColby Parkinson
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Max Klare #TE13 of Ohio State participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Max Klare #TE13 of Ohio State participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Like many rookies, Klareâs playing time could be limited in Year 1, but he should have the chance to seriously compete and contribute along with Parkinson and Ferguson, and if the high draft pick spent on Klare is any indication, the Rams intend him to be a part of the offense now, and later as heâll likely try to replace Higbee and or Parkinson who may no longer be on the team after 2026.
Parkinson is on the last year of his contract with the Rams, and Higbee is likely closer towards the end of his career than the beginning at 33 years of age, but unlike Parkinson, Higbeeâs current contract runs through 2027.
Q&A
What position does Max Klare play for the Rams?
Max Klare plays as a tight end for the Los Angeles Rams.
Why did the Rams draft Max Klare in 2026?
The Rams drafted Max Klare to strengthen their tight end position and plan for future replacements as veterans age.
Who are the other tight ends on the Rams roster?
The Rams' tight end roster includes Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, and Terrance Ferguson.
What is the status of Tyler Higbee's contract with the Rams?
Tyler Higbee's contract with the Rams runs through 2027, but he is nearing the end of his career at 33 years old.
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ââŠhis production could make teams forget the drops. He improved as a run blocker as the season progressed, but âfunctionalâ might be the finish line there. In a league craving impact tight ends, Klare has a chance to inject life into an offense hunting mismatches.â
If the Rams feel that Klare showed improvement as a run blocker over his time in college, then they likely think they can help him improve with the right coaching and strength training at the NFL level. Add in the idea that heâs a matchup nightmare for defenses with size, speed and athleticism, and heâs a perfect fit for McVay.
Any drop concerns didnât scare the Rams off, but there are reasons he was taken at 61 and not sooner.
Why Klare wasnât taken higher
I am not sure that anyone has associated Klare as a generational player at the tight end position the way Brock Bowers was touted when he entered the NFL a couple season ago. However, being touted as a top prospect isnât everything, itâs what can you do at the NFL level?
There are some questions of Klare, will he have the speed and strength to stay relevant at the NFL level where every player is faster and stronger than in college? Thatâs a fair question for any player entering the NFL.
Another question that may be more specific to Klare is will he overcome some of the drop and ball security issues that NFL.com noted?
Time will tell.
Klare and the 2026 Rams
The Rams showed last year they are happy to deploy all of the tight ends available to them on gameday. Will Klare push the other tight ends on the roster for playing time right away? Could Parkinson be seen as a trade candidate with the addition of Klare, and the potential emergence of Ferguson in Year 2?
Thatâs something fans and the Rams will be watching for.
Whether itâs Higbee, Parkison, Ferguson and or Klare, this could be a monstrous TE group with any combination of the three or four.
Klare should be a boost for the tight end room for years to come, and whether or not he earns an extension past his rookie deal could have a lot to do with how he improves as a blocker and his ability to maintain catches and take care of the football.
He has the talent, now he gets the chance to refine his game at the next level, on a team who has a real shot to win a Super Bowl in 2026. Not a bad place to start for the former Purdue and Ohio State product as he begins his NFL journey.
