Rams tight ends remain the NFL's best-kept secret, and here's why

Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson reeled in over 75 percent of his targets en route to putting up 408 receiving yards and eight touchdowns last season. He led a tight end room that boasted four members with at least three touchdowns. And yet, few acknowledge Parkinson or the Rams for their superb tight end production.

For his part, Parkinson's impressive touchdown total tied for third among all tight ends, despite the fact that he was targeted far less than the top pass-catchers at the position. And yet: no honors. No acknowledgement. No respect.

For comparison, Arizona's Trey McBride was targeted 169 times in 2025. He generated 1,236 yards and 11 touchdowns. The entire LA tight end room produced 1,128 yards and 17 touchdowns on only 150 targets. Not bad, especially accounting for the challenge of navigatingTerrance Ferguson's rookie struggles.

3 reasons Rams tight end room is most dangerous in the NFL

Fans love stars. But who is the star tight end on the roster? It's impossible to say with any confidence. And that is what frustrates opposing defenses.

LA boasts five tight ends who could all contribute in a meaningful way this season: Parkinson, Ferguson, Tyler Higbee, Davis Allen, and rookie Max Klare. But who, and how many, will change from week to week.

1. Nobody sees them coming

It's easy for defenses to game-plan against Rams wide receivers, which consists of two stars in Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, plus a far less dangerous supporting cast. Countering Rams tight ends is another challenge altogether.

Any play that Sean McVay runs can feature zero, one, two, or three tight ends. While Parkinson and Higbee, for example, are similarly effective, they have entirely different styles. Defenses face myriad combinations that can change with every game, which makes it difficult to see new wrinkles coming.

2. LA only needs one player to get hot

Klare, the Rams' second-round pick this year, will face a rookie learning curve. Ferguson, with his 44 percent catch rate last season, is not yet someone the defense fears. But LA only needs one player to get hot, and with five members vying for roster spots and playing time, that could be anyone.

3. Committee approach protects against injury risk

The Rams' aging roster is vulnerable to injuries. We know that. But at tight end, having five players in the mix softens such concerns, to a point. McVay only needs three to run his 12- or 13-personnel sets. As things stand now, he'd have at least two TEs to spare.

Of course, there is little chance the Rams carry five tight ends on the 53-man roster. Tough decisions must be made.

That Los Angeles can conceivably afford to part ways with a capable contributor like Allen is a testament to the strength and depth of the rotation. The Horns have one of the most dangerous tight end groups in the NFL, and that's true even if not everyone knows it yet.

As always, thanks for reading.

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