Jeremy Fowler shatters Rams fans expectations over this too-good-to-sit rookie

As soon as the 2026 NFL draft ended, many fans of the Los Angeles Rams had to surrender hopes that a rookie from this rookie class might contribute right away. Well, after thinking about that concept for a week or so, and after a report from ESPN's NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, perhaps that conclusion was made in haste.

You see, rookie tight end Max Klare appeared to be buried on the Rams depth chart behind tight ends Colby Parkinson, Tyler Higbee, Terrance Ferguson, and Davis Allen. Or, is he?

Per the recent report from Fowler, Los Angeles expects Klare to contribute this season. And based on his draft profile, that is entirely within the realm of realistic expectations. After all, Klare was a well-seasoned collegiate offensive standout, and he lands in an offense that found unbridled success running 12- and 13-personnel sub packages on offense:

There is an opportunity for Max Klare to overtake Terrance Ferguson on the depth chart. Despite plenty of opportunities in his rookie season, Ferguson could only manage a catch rate of 44 percent in 2025. Now, he is forced to look over his shoulder and fend off competition from Klare, a tight end who is more physical than finesse.

If Klare delivers to the level of expectations, the depth chart will get a huge shakeup.

Max Klare is a rookie who is just too good to sit on the bench this season

Despite an LA Rams roster that seemed to be bursting with tight end talent, Max Klare was not the only rookie tight end added. The team signed undrafted Syracuse tight end Dan Villari, who was a former Michigan quarterback who cross-trained to the tight end role. While undrafted, many draft profiles suggest Villari is a Davis Allen doppleganger.

Klare, on the other hand, has been a tight end throughout his NCAA college career. But the former Purdue Boilermaker transferred to Ohio State for his final year of college, and proved to be worthy of competing in a robust offense for targets and production.

Klare did not shatter college football records for a tight end. But he is a pass-catching tight end who can block. In many ways, his likely NFL role may be as a tight end, but it will be functionally indistinguishable from that of a wide receiver. And standing nearly 6-foot-5 while tipping the scales at 246 pounds makes for instant mismatches in opposing secondaries.

The Horns loved to push rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson down the seam. But Klare has a fully functioning route tree, allowing for significantly more robust and complex offensive plays in 2026. And Klare is a guy who brings plenty of work from college to LA's offense.

Fans have heard plenty of positives about rookies in the past, and not all promising rookies made much of an offensive impact. But Max Klare could prove to be the exception. The team has a true role for a tight end with dependable hands. Terrance Ferguson was not that guy in 2025.

Perhaps Max Klare can prove to be that guy in 2026. As always, thanks for reading.

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