Staring at the Los Angeles Rams’ projected depth chart at tight end entering the 2026 NFL draft, the position didn’t make an obvious candidate for their late-second-round draft pick. But a closer look at their 2025 offense offers more insight.
The latest innovation by renowned offensive mind and Rams head coach Sean McVay was a heavy, heavy dose of 13 personnel. Los Angeles ran the one running back, three tight end formation at a 30.5% rate last year, per SumerSports. No other team in the NFL ran it even 10% of the time.
The Rams were ruthlessly efficient out of 13, too, with an Expected Points Added (EPA) of 77.43, the sixth-most production of any formation run by any team across the NFL. Thus, despite the multiple established tight ends they have in the organization, it makes sense why they picked up Ohio State tight end Max Klare with the No. 61 overall pick in the second round.
“There's nothing better than 13 personnel,” Klare said after being drafted on April 24. “You always see those clips pop up, and it's always fun to watch. The guys get after it together. So I'm pumped up to be a part of that. And I got to earn everything and put my best foot forward every day.”
The Rams view Klare as a versatile piece and potential weapon in the passing game, a player who could provide quality depth and develop into a top playmaker in time.
“Max coming into the mix has the ability to be a lead blocker,” McVay said. “He can play in line, shows great run after the catch, I think. The ability to be able to stay grounded in those catch transitions nowadays are really important. It's one of our favorite things about him, whether you go back to the tape at Purdue or even some of the opportunities that he had at Ohio State with a bunch of really fun skill players that they had, and both of those places (he) did a really nice job of being able to utilize his skill set. I like the way that he moves grounded on the second and third levels to be able to stay connected and be able to press people in space.”
Klare had his breakout season in 2024 as a Purdue Boilermaker, emerging as the focal point of an otherwise anemic passing offense with 51 receptions for 685 yards and four touchdowns, all team highs. He was the top-ranked tight end in the 2025 transfer portal, and Ohio State secured his commitment.
In the shadow of first-round wide receiver talents Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, Klare collected 43 receptions for 448 yards and two touchdowns in his lone season with the Buckeyes. He also took fantastic strides as a blocker.
While he disappeared in some of Ohio State’s biggest games with a combined three receptions for 39 yards against Texas, Indiana and Miami, Klare’s talent at tight end has been demonstrated. And his year of growing as a blocker with the Buckeyes opens him up to align almost anywhere a tight end could.
“Versatility,” Klare said of what he brings to the Rams. “You can line me up anywhere on the field and I'm going to feel comfortable. I'm going to be able to attack the defense in a multitude of ways. And I'm pumped up for whatever vision they have for me, whatever that might be. I'm going to attack it full steam ahead.”
The Rams’ tight end depth chart is highlighted by two veterans with at least six years of NFL experience, Colby Parkinson and Tyler Higbee. Parkinson enjoyed a career year last year, hauling in 43 receptions for 408 yards and eight touchdowns after playing 15 games but starting just 10.
Higbee is a veteran entering his 11th season who recorded four consecutive 500-yard receiving seasons from 2019 through 2022, followed that up with another 495-yard campaign in 2023, then had his 2024 and 2025 seasons limited by injury. He picked up 25 receptions for 281 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games, eight of which he started, for Los Angeles in 2025. Davis Allen, a fifth-round pick by the Rams in 2023, tacked on 24 catches for 208 yards and three scores in 2025.
“It's a great room,” Klare said. “It's going to be fun to be a part of it. I'm just super pumped to meet the guys, get to know them, get to work with them and attack it every day with them. So I'm pumped up.”
The Rams had the No. 1 scoring and No. 1 total offense in the NFL in 2025 with their heavy dose of 13 personnel. Quarterback Matthew Stafford’s 17th NFL season was his best, as he won the league MVP and tossed for 4,707 yards with 46 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. It’s another teammate Klare is eager to meet.
“Growing up watching him, I couldn't be more excited to be alongside of him, learn from him, learn from the guys within the building and be a part of that team,” Klare said. “It's going to be a cool feeling to be out there with those guys.”
Los Angeles might have a deep tight end room that Klare must compete with. But the Rams use tight ends more than any other NFL squad. If that trend continues in 2026, he’ll get ample opportunities.
“We typically had four tight ends up during game day because we were leaning into that 13 personnel as the season progressed,” McVay said. “We'll see exactly what it looks like, but I do know this: Every single year represents a new year, and there's got to be new iterations. There was some decent things that we did offensively last year. If we think we can roll the same things out, we're kidding ourselves.”
