Max Klare is continuing Rams' dubious draft tradition under Sean McVay

When you ponder the Los Angeles Rams and the NFL draft, two things come to mind. One, Los Angeles has only selected twice in Round 1 since 2016. And of the two rookies chosen, only quarterback Ty Simpson remains. 2024 first-rounder Jared Verse is now with the Cleveland Browns.

Two, the Rams have proven they can select elite Day 3 talent. They chose running back Kyren Williams and wide receiver Puka Nacua in later rounds. Both have proven to be masters of their craft.

And then there is a third thing: the Rams' woeful return on investment with Round 2 offensive playmakers. Oh, they love to add weapons. The team simply refuses to play them.

Unfortunately, rookie tight end Max Klare is in the second-round category.

What about the others? Well, the Rams' history of Round 2 rookies is a bit underwhelming. Here are their eight second-round picks since hiring head coach Sean McVay in 2017.

• 2017: Tight end Gerald Everett
• 2018: None
• 2019: Safety Taylor Rapp
• 2020: Running back Cam Akers
• 2020: Wide receiver Van Jefferson
• 2021: Wide receiver Tutu Atwell
• 2022: None
• 2024: Offensive lineman Steve Avila
• 2025: Tight end Terrance Ferguson
• 2026: Tight end Max Klare

Left guard Steve Avila has been the best of the bunch. What is it about Round 2 that poses such a challenge to finding solid contributors? Let's dive a bit deeper.

Rams find there's not always more where that came from

LA has a pattern of drafting offensive skill players in the second round. Since hiring McVay, the tema has taken three tight ends, two receivers, and a running back. They have also drafted a safety, Rapp, back and Avila to round out the eight selections over the past nine years.

Unfortunately, LA has not had much success. While the team has been remarkably proficient in identifying diamonds late in the draft, second-round rookies have struggled to show up consistently.

Some have blossomed in one season, then withered into liabilities. The only one to exceed expectations is Avila.

The problem? Those Round 2 rookies seldom get opportunities. Without the chance to learn from experience, they simply shrivel on the bench. Whatever the Rams' rationalization, it results in a lack of snaps, targets, carries, or trust.

As you can see from the list above, only four of the last eight selection are still with the team. Of that group, only one is making a difference.

Out of sight, out of mind

There are no longer any valid reasons not to put Klare on the football field. He needs the experience, and the Rams need to see firsthand what he brings to the NFL. It's better to know now than to guess tomorrow.

Subjective decisions to bench highly regarded rookies have consistently stung this team. Look no further than receiver Tutu Atwell. After hearing his name called 57th overall in 2021, he found himself fighting simply to be included in the offense. In six seasons, he has caught 108 of 183 targets.

That's an average of just 30.5 targets and 18 catches per season. What a waste of talent.

Tight end Gerald Everett played four seasons for Los Angeles, catching 127 of 204 passes. Second-year tight end Terrance Ferguson has hauled in just 18 of 27 passes. To be fair, he has been on injured reserve this season since being hurt early in Week 3.

But the trend is consistently underwhelming.

Even running back Cam Akers, who flashed serious potential, only lasted four seasons in LA. One of those seasons was consumed by his rehab after an Achilles tear.

Can Klare cut it in the NFL? The Rams certainly thought so when stepping up to the draft podium. But now, after six games, fans are asking why they even drafted him. A 2-4 team should be adding key rookies to develop them for future roles.

The Rams have ignored the need to give rookies a shot to contribute. Like the old Molly Hatchet song from 1979, LA Is Flirting with Disaster.

As always, thanks for reading.

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