PITTSBURGH – One day after drafting Matthew Stafford’s eventual heir apparent, they got their veteran quarterback another tight end
The club selected Ohio State’s Max Klare with the 61st overall selection in the second round of the NFL draft. That means the Rams now have six tight ends under contract for the 2026 season, including Colby Parkinson, Terrance Ferguson, Tyler Higbee, and now Klare.
Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Max Klare runs down the sidelines after a catch during the Big 10 Championship game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Indiana Hoosiers on December 6, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Granted, Rams coach Sean McVay leaned heavily into a three-tight-end alignment last year, and said the club will build on that “13” personnel grouping this year.
But eventually, something has to give with the depth chart.
Klare is an athletic 6-foot-4, 250-pounder who caught 43 passes for 448 yards and two touchdowns last year.
Grade: C
Klare is a good prospect, but it’s hard to imagine a big role for him next year unless the Rams make some moves in their tight end room to free up some playing time.
Keagen Trost of the Missouri Tigers participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 01, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) Getty ImagesThe Rams came into the draft needing to add some depth to their tackle room, where only Alaric Jackson is under contract after the 2026 season.
They may have found someone they can develop as a potential long-range starter in Missouri’s Keagen Trost, a 6-foot-5, 311-pounder who spent seven seasons in college and finished it off with a strong season in his lone year at Missouri.
The Rams selected Trost with the 93rd pick overall in the third round.
The 25-year-old likely doesn’t have much of a ceiling to grow to, but he has plenty of experience, and displays enough qualities to project as an eventual starter.
He will likely redshirt as a rookie with an eye on potentially moving into a starting role after next season. At the very least, he can be a solid swing tackle.
Grade: C+
Trost is basically a know-exactly-what-you ’re-going-to-get prospect. There is nothing wrong with that, but if you’re looking for a high upside player, he probably isn’t the guy. Also, provided everyone stays healthy this year, by the time Trost actually gets on the field for an extended period of time, he’ll be 26-years-old
What they’re saying
“There’s nothing better than 13 personnel. 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. I have to earn everything and put my best foot forward every day.” — new Rams tight end Max Klare.
What’s next
The Rams have four picks on day three of the NFL draft on Saturday, and still have needs at wide receiver, the secondary, and linebacker.
Among the best players still on the board are wide receivers Elijah Sarratt (Indiana) and Deion Burks (Oklahoma), Pitt linebacker Kyle Louis, and South Carolina safety Jalon Kilgore.
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