Proposed Rams weak link has become the roster's most overlooked strength

The Los Angeles Rams already had the NFL's top offense, and then they overhauled the defense this offseason. While the Myles Garrett blockbuster obliterated headlines in June, adding Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson to a battered, exploitable secondary could have an even greater impact. 

The result is that there aren't many weak spots on the roster. Tasked with choosing one in the Rams' projected starting lineup, ESPN's Mike Clay also proposed going with "none" but settled on the tight ends, with Colby Parkinson and Terrance Ferguson penciled in as starters. It's true: as Clay points out, the Rams lack the elite talent among tight ends that they boast at other positions. 

There may be depth concerns at receiver, but no one can argue that Puka Nacua and Davante Adams aren't one of the best duos in the league. At tight end, it's the opposite. The Rams have great depth with four returning contributors and second-round rookie Max Klare, but Parkinson, last season's leader of the pack, ranked just 29th in receiving yards among tight ends.

It's that depth, though, that makes L.A.'s group such an asset in the aggregate. On a stacked roster that has addressed its most glaring hole, the secondary, the tight-end room has become an overlooked strength at Sean McVay's disposal.

Rams tight ends remain seemingly under-the-radar

In addition to Parkinson and Klare, the Horns also have Tyler Higbee, whose per-game averages in an injury-shortened season remained the best in the room; Davis Allen, the blocking specialist of the bunch; and sophomore Terrance Ferguson, a downfield receiving threat who could be poised for a breakout. 

Even subtracting Klare, McVay had more than enough weapons to work with, which he put to great use as the Rams offense leaned heavily into multiple-tight-end sets. Most teams don't have four viable options to choose from. The Rams are lucky like that. 

As a whole, L.A. tight ends compiled 103 catches, 1,128 receiving yards, and most notably 17 touchdowns. What Parkinson did not contribute in volume he made up for as a red-zone threat, tying for third at the position with eight scores. Quarterback Matthew Stafford hooked up for three apiece with Higbee, Allen, and Ferguson. Now he has Klare as well. 

Compared to other areas of the Rams roster, it's fair to tag tight ends as one of the position groups with less elite upside than some. Inside linebacker is another area worth mentioning. Whether Omar Speights holds onto his starting spot next to Nate Landman remains to be seen. Special teams weren't included in the lineups, but, despite some promising changes, the Rams have plenty to prove in that department.

Everyone is talking about the Garrett-led pass rush and new-look secondary. The offensive line is about as highly graded as it gets without having a Pro Bowler in the fold. Kyren Williams and Blake Corum are a dynamic backfield duo. Stafford just won MVP.

Those positions obviously aren't weaknesses, but they aren't being overlooked, either. Given its important and highly productive contributions to McVay's offense, the tight-end room arguably is.

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