The 2026 NFL Draft is a marathon of hope, anxiety, and life-changing phone calls. For most prospects, the draft itself is a blur of waiting, watching, and wondering. For Ohio State tight end Max Klare, it ended with a moment he'll never forget -- a call from Rams general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay that was captured on video and shared by the team. It was raw, emotional, and exactly what makes draft weekend so compelling.
The Rams selected Klare in the second round, adding a versatile pass-catching tight end to a roster that's always looking for mismatches. But the story isn't just about where Klare was drafted. It's about how the Rams operate, what they value in offensive skill players, and what Klare brings to an offense that has a history of turning tight ends into featured weapons.
The Call That Changed Everything
In the video released by the Rams, the moment is unmistakably genuine. Klare, sitting with family and close friends, picks up the phone. On the other end: Les Snead and Sean McVay. The two architects of the Rams' roster deliver the news that every draft hopeful dreams of hearing -- that the Los Angeles Rams are calling his name.
"You ready to be a Ram?" McVay asks, his voice full of the same energy that's defined the Rams' offensive identity for nearly a decade.
Klare's reaction is immediate. His face breaks into a wide smile, then cracks with emotion. He's not alone -- there are hugs, tears, and a palpable sense of relief in the room. For Klare, this is the culmination of years of work at Ohio State, a program that has produced NFL talent at nearly every position. For the Rams, it's the beginning of what they hope will be a productive NFL career.
What makes this moment stand out is not just the content, but the access. The Rams have long been one of the more transparent organizations when it comes to behind-the-scenes content. Draft calls, practice footage, locker room celebrations -- they've mastered the art of making fans feel like insiders. This video is no exception. Klare's reaction is authentic, and it humanizes a process that can often feel transactional and mechanical.
What Max Klare Brings to the Rams Offense
Now that the confetti has settled and the emotions have been processed, let's get into the football side of things.
Max Klare isn't just any tight end. At Ohio State, he developed into a reliable receiving threat who can stretch the seam, win in the red zone, and line up in multiple alignments. He's not a mauler in the run game, but he's willing and technically sound enough to hold his ground. In the Rams' offense, that's more than enough.
McVay's system has always prioritized versatility at the tight end position. Think back to the heyday of Tyler Higbee, the emergence of Gerald Everett, and the more recent usage of players who can flex out wide or line up inline. The Rams want tight ends who can create separation in the passing game and force defenses to account for them in coverage. Klare fits that mold.
He ran a diverse route tree at Ohio State. He's comfortable working the middle of the field, finding soft spots in zone coverage, and running option routes that put linebackers in conflict. He's also a legitimate red-zone threat, with the body control and hands to make contested catches in traffic. If he can stay healthy and continue to refine his blocking, Klare has the potential to carve out a real role in this offense -- especially given the Rams' track record of developing late-round picks into contributors.
Klare will have to earn his snaps in a tight end room that includes veterans Tyler Higbee, Davis Allen, and Colby Parkinson, as well as younger players competing for targets. But if there's one thing McVay has shown, it's that he will find ways to get the ball to players who can create mismatches. Klare has the skill set to become one of those mismatches.
The Rams Also Add CJ Daniels at No. 197
Klare wasn't the only addition the Rams made on Day 3. With the No. 197 overall pick in the 2026 draft, Los Angeles selected wide receiver CJ Daniels.
Daniels comes from the University of Miami, a program known for producing NFL-quality wide receivers. He's a wiry, quick-twitch receiver who can work out of the slot and stretch defenses vertically. In a Rams offense that has leaned heavily on Davante Adams, Puka Nacua, and emerging receivers like Konata Mumpfield in recent years, Daniels represents a developmental project who could eventually contribute as a depth option or special teams contributor.
Wide receiver wasn't a glaring need for the Rams heading into this draft, but the front office has always believed in adding competition at every position. Daniels will have to fight for a roster spot, but his skill set -- quickness off the line, reliable hands, and the ability to create after the catch -- gives him a real chance to stick.
The Rams' track record with mid-to-late round receivers is solid. They've found contributors through the draft before, and Daniels has the profile of a player who could outplay his draft slot.
Draft Strategy: Filling Needs and Adding Talent
The selections of Klare and Daniels are part of a broader Rams draft strategy that has prioritized adding offensive weapons around the team's quarterbacks, Stetson Bennett IV and Matthew Stafford. McVay's offense is at its best when it has multiple threats in the passing game, and these two picks reflect that philosophy.
Tight end has been a position of interest for the Rams in recent drafts, and Klare gives them a young, athletic option who can develop behind the current veterans. Wide receiver is always a position worth investing in, especially when you're looking for affordable depth behind established stars.
Neither pick is flashy in the way a first-round selection would be, but that's by design. The Rams have built a roster philosophy based on finding value in the middle and late rounds. Klare and Daniels are the latest examples of that approach.
The draft is still an incomplete picture. We won't know how these players truly fit until they hit the practice field, go through training camp, and start competing in real NFL games. But the early signs are good. The Rams identified players they liked, went out and got them, and now the development process begins.
What Comes Next for Klare and Daniels
For Max Klare, the immediate future is about two things: learning the playbook and adjusting to the speed of the NFL. The Rams' offense is notoriously complex. McVay demands a high football IQ from his players, and tight ends especially are asked to do a lot -- both in the passing game and in protection. Klare will have a learning curve, but his experience at Ohio State should help him adapt.
For CJ Daniels, the path is similar but with different challenges. He'll need to prove he can win against NFL-caliber defensive backs and earn the trust of the coaching staff on special teams. If he does, he could carve out a role as a rotational receiver and core special teamer.
Both players will enter the Rams' rookie minicamp with something to prove. That's the nature of being drafted on Day 3. But if the draft call video is any indication, Klare at least knows he's coming to an organization that cares about the people it brings in.
The Rams aren't just building a roster. They're building a culture. And moments like that draft phone call -- shared with the world -- remind us that the NFL is still a human story. Max Klare, CJ Daniels, and the rest of the Rams' 2026 draft class now get to write their own chapters.