The Los Angeles Rams raised more than a few eyebrows when they used their first pick in the 2025 draft on tight end Max Klare. On paper, spending two consecutive early selections on the same position—especially one often undervalued in today's NFL—seems like a curious strategy. But don't let the position label fool you. Klare and last year's pick, Terrance Ferguson, are about as different as two tight ends can be.

Think of it this way: if Ferguson is a Ferrari built for speed, Klare is a rugged SUV designed to navigate through traffic. Ferguson stretches the field vertically, with passes thrown his way averaging a staggering 18.3 yards downfield during his rookie season. That makes him the tight end equivalent of a deep-threat wide receiver like Alec Pierce or Will Fuller. He's a rare breed—a player who can change a game in a single explosive play.

Klare, meanwhile, operates in a different zip code. During his college career at Ohio State and Purdue, his average depth of target hovered under eight yards. But don't mistake that for a lack of production. Klare still averaged 11.4 yards per reception and an impressive 5.6 yards after the catch. He's an intermediate pass catcher who thrives on turning short throws into big gains, making him a YAC (yards after catch) machine.

For head coach Sean McVay, this duo isn't about redundancy—it's about versatility. If both players develop as planned, they'll give defenses a nightmare matchup problem. Ferguson can take the top off a secondary while Klare feasts underneath, forcing linebackers and safeties to pick their poison. That's the kind of flexibility that makes an offense click.

Looking ahead to 2026, the Rams' tight end room is suddenly crowded but clear in its roles. Tyler Higbee remains a dependable blocker with receiving upside, while Davis Allen and Colby Parkinson fill similar blocking-first roles. Parkinson, in particular, showed growth as a receiver in his second season with LA. Both he and Allen are entering contract years, and Higbee—despite signing a two-year deal earlier this year—could be moved on from next offseason.

That leaves Klare and Ferguson as the future—a pair of tight ends who share a position but couldn't be more different in what they bring to the field. And for Rams fans, that contrast might just be the key to unlocking a new dimension in McVay's offense.