Rams rookie can quickly make roster math excruciating by summer's end

The Los Angeles Rams may not boast individual star power from their robust tight end room, but last season's quartet combined to produce over 1,100 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. Perhaps it seems strange, then, that general manager Les Snead was more than willing to add competition to the position during the 2026 draft.

Indeed, Max Klare was very likely one of the last prospects anyone expected the Rams to select. That said, Klare is already polished enough to emerge as an immediate contributor if granted the chance. He has more than adequate experience. He can block. He can catch. He is coachable enough to assume any role.

Forget Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq, a much mock-drafted Rams pick. Klare has his own significant upside and is a much better fit.

But carrying five tight ends on an active roster is, well, pushing it. With the 90-man offseason unit boasting eight in all (including undrafted rookies Dan Villari, Mark Redman, and Rohan Jones), at least three are at risk of outright release. And of the five remaining, the roster math doesn't make much sense.

Max Klare will force Rams into difficult decision

That is, the roster math doesn't make sense unless the team is willing to pare that number back down to four.

Inevitably, that will create painful decisions. To keep Klare on the roster, the Rams may be forced to subtract a key rotational contributor. Rostering all five tight ends would all but necessitate the release of another offensive skill player.

Fans should not expect that player to survive waivers and sign onto the Rams practice squad. That applies even to an unproven prospect such as running back Jarquez Hunter, who never touched the football last season but has enough promise to appeal to other teams as a reclamation project.

For the Rams, though, creating an extra roster spot for Klare may be worth whatever loss comes with it.

LA loves versatility and Klare supplies a maximum dose. He can block, catch, run, and even slide into a productive role on special teams. Best of all, he has a prime opportunity to develop chemistry with future quarterback Ty Simpson this preseason. He'll have to earn that chance, though, by performing well enough in training camp to pry a roster spot from a veteran.

That creates an excruciating decision. If Klare makes the cut, a more proven player - at least in terms of time spent in an NFL organization - must be sacrificed. Who stays and who goes? That is what fans will begin to learn as soon as training camp gets underway.

As always, thanks for reading.

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