Last season, the Los Angeles Rams had four tight ends who finished the season with at least 200 yards receiving. Together, they combined for 17 touchdown receptions after finishing with only three total in 2024. That year, the Rams only had one tight end with more than 200 yards, and it was Colby Parkinson, who finished with 294.
The turnaround at that position was jarring to see, going from one of the least productive tight end rooms to one of the most well-rounded in a span of one year.
Heading into 2026, it should be even better. The top four tight ends from last year are all returning, and the Rams also added second-round rookie Max Klare in the draft. That gives them five quality tight ends capable of contributing in meaningful ways.
The biggest question is what the future holds at that position. All indications are that the Rams will keep five tight ends on the 53-man roster this year. But what happens in 2027 when Parkinson and Davis Allen are both set to become free agents? Tyler Higbee is also year-to-year with retirement and could call it a career after this season, despite being signed for two more years.
It could be tough for the Rams to keep both Allen and Parkinson next offseason with Ferguson and Klare clearly looking like the future at the position – even in a scheme that’s heavy on 13 personnel.
So, who’s the odd man out? Parkinson is two years older than Allen and will presumably be more expensive, given his resume and proven track record as a starter. That track record also gives him a better chance to help the Rams as both a receiver and blocker, should he be re-signed next offseason.
Allen has plenty of upside, though. His 64.1 run-blocking grade was only slightly worse than Parkinson’s grade of 66.6 last season and his drop rate of 7.7% was much lower than Parkinson’s 12.1%, which was second on the team.
The more sensible re-signing would be Allen. He’s younger and will come cheaper than Parkinson, while still offering Matthew Stafford a big-body tight end to target in the passing game. Parkinson may not even want to stay with the Rams if the team is committed to Ferguson and Klare as their future, thus taking snaps away from him if he returns in 2027.
It’s a good problem for the Rams to have. They’re already set for the next three-plus years with Ferguson and Klare as teammates, and they’re on modest contracts as second-round picks, too. But re-signing one of Allen or Parkinson to maintain some veteran leadership in the locker room would probably be beneficial.
It’ll be fascinating to see how the playing time works at tight end this season with so much depth at the position. It’s possible Klare could even overtake Allen as a rookie, given the reported expectation that he’ll play this season.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Which TE will be odd man out after Rams drafted Max Klare?
Reporting by Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
