The Los Angeles Rams’ rookie class has played a combined six games midway through the season, and they are absolutely paying the price for it. Out of their five draft picks, Max Klare accounts for four of those games, though he has played just one offensive snap all year. This isn’t just a tough break, it’s another massive challenge for Sean McVay and the crew in what has already been a complicated and difficult season.
The Ty Simpson Bet Is Not Paying Off Right Now
This whole situation kicks off with the 13th overall pick, quarterback Ty Simpson. That pick has been talked about endlessly, and whether it works out down the line is one thing, but right now, it means Los Angeles completely passed on an immediate contributor for a gamble on the future. Simpson hasn’t seen a single snap this season and likely won’t. You have to wonder, if Les Snead is going to grab a third-string quarterback that early, shouldn’t he have also made sure to land guys who could actually help out *now*? The Rams apparently valued Simpson way higher than other teams, and we’re definitely not at a point where anyone can declare he’s going to be better than third-rounders like Carson Beck or Drew Allar. Snead has a history of trading up, like he did for Braden Fiske in 2024, but this feels different when you’re getting no immediate return.
Where Did the Rest of the Draft Class Go?
The rest of the rookie class has put together a measly six games this year. And here’s the kicker: one of those picks, defensive tackle Tim Keenan, isn’t even on the team anymore! He’s over with the Raiders and has played 19 snaps for them this season. That’s 15 more snaps than the *entire rest* of the Rams’ 2026 rookie class has combined on offense or defense. Oh, and he did it against his former team, which has to sting a little.
Remember that multiple-tight end trend Los Angeles was all in on in 2025? They steered right into it again this offseason, taking Max Klare out of Ohio State in the second round. Right now, he’s buried deep on the depth chart, with that single offensive snap across four games and 12 more on special teams. It begs the question: if they wanted a tight end that badly, should they have just taken Kenyon Sadiq in the first round and then figured out their quarterback situation later? Davis Allen is out there scoring touchdowns while Klare is riding the bench as their TE5. Wide receiver C.J. Daniels managed three offensive snaps with zero targets against the Raiders, and that’s it for his production. And let’s be real, the Rams could use some serious help at wide receiver right now. Offensive lineman Keagen Trost was also drafted, but hasn’t made an impact either.
It’s true it’s not all on the players, with injuries and other factors playing a part, and the Rams didn’t exactly have a ton of picks to spread around. But when a season gets complicated, not having any young talent ready to step up and contribute makes everything so much harder.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
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