Rams (#61) 2nd Round TE Max Klare

[Memphis Ram]

What's funny is it (UDFA starters or stars) doesn't happen all that often. We have 3 (three) UDFA starters on our roster.

Alaric
Shelton
Speights.

Many fans want those last 2 to be replaced asap, so yeah, it's funny when fans latch onto some UDFA and say he could be a starter, why keep the established vet? Makes little sense to me.

Please forgive me as I might have missed it, but is anyone really saying that an UDFA could be a starter or just simply make the team?

 

[Allen2McVay]

FWIW I believe I am younger than you, but I get it. It's not only the years, it's the mileage.

Pretty sure I am older than all three of you guys but you have to factor in that I am Extremely Immature.

 

[PARAM]

Not stars, but functional contributors to even quality starters. This team has a few. Look at our LT. So not sure why that's funny?

Please forgive me as I might have missed it, but is anyone really saying that an UDFA could be a starter or just simply make the team?

My point was, with UDFA's we sign about 20 - 25 every year and 1 or 2 (if that many) make the team. How many start in year 1? Not many. And all this angst about somebody plucking a guy off our practice squad is overblown IMHO. A raw TE with upside is great but will another team put him on their 53? I wonder. So we oughta release Higbee and keep a guy who wouldn't make the 53 otherwise, on the 53? Doesn't make a whole lotta sense to me. And I'm not even talking about "starters" but wasted roster spots.

 

[den-the-coach]

Please forgive me as I might have missed it, but is anyone really saying that an UDFA could be a starter or just simply make the team?

I am going to predict it now unless the Rams make a trade for another pass rusher, OLB Wesley Bailey makes the squad and would not be shocked if Austin Blaske beats out Beaux Limmer for the 8th OL, if they only keep 8.

 

[PhillyRam]

What's funny is it (UDFA starters or stars) doesn't happen all that often. We have 3 (three) UDFA starters on our roster.

Alaric
Shelton
Speights.

Many fans want those last 2 to be replaced asap, so yeah, it's funny when fans latch onto some UDFA and say he could be a starter, why keep the established vet? Makes little sense to me.

Well, our first SB championship was led by two guys, on each side of the ball, who came into the league as UDFA's. Warner & Fletcher. Not to mention guys like Tony Horne, who were important role players. So it happens.

And no one is saying any of the UDFA TEs will be stars, but if Higbee gets hurt again and retires, it would a shame if a guy like Villari moves on and becomes a solid to good starter on another team in 2 yrs.

BTW, besides the 3 you
mentioned, we have a number of late 7th rd draft picks and UDFA's, who play key roles on this team or are looked at as guys that can be contributors this year and beyond.

So again, its about wasting a roster spot on a guy who is on his last legs, at a deep position, where they could get by without him, while developing a couple young guys for the future. This is especially important since they have multiple guys at TE who will be FAs next year along with a tight cap situation.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Well, our first SB championship was led by two guys, on each side of the ball, who came into the league as UDFA's. Warner & Fletcher. Not to mention guys like Tony Horne, who were important role players. So it happens.

I think the market inefficiencies that led to those two guys being overlooked are mostly gone in the NFL but we still see occasional starters and even stars come from the undrafted pool.

Much less likely these days though.

 

[PhillyRam]

My point was, with UDFA's we sign about 20 - 25 every year and 1 or 2 (if that many) make the team. How many start in year 1? Not many. And all this angst about somebody plucking a guy off our practice squad is overblown IMHO. A raw TE with upside is great but will another team put him on their 53? I wonder. So we oughta release Higbee and keep a guy who wouldn't make the 53 otherwise, on the 53? Doesn't make a whole lotta sense to me. And I'm not even talking about "starters" but wasted roster spots.

No one is saying keep a guy who shouldn't be on the roster. It's about of a guy like Villari if he has a great camp, and looks the part, and thus should make the roster, but cant because of the numbers at TE.

 

[Memphis Ram]

My point was, with UDFA's we sign about 20 - 25 every year and 1 or 2 (if that many) make the team. How many start in year 1? Not many. And all this angst about somebody plucking a guy off our practice squad is overblown IMHO. A raw TE with upside is great but will another team put him on their 53? I wonder. So we oughta release Higbee and keep a guy who wouldn't make the 53 otherwise, on the 53? Doesn't make a whole lotta sense to me. And I'm not even talking about "starters" but wasted roster spots.

I believe that thought process comes from a situation where the UDFA actually shows something worthy or being on the 53 man roster and the upside of being potentially more in the future. That has to happen before anything else.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Maybe Villari will beat out Klare for a roster spot?

 

[PhillyRam]

I believe that thought process comes from a situation where the UDFA actually shows something worthy or being on the 53 man roster and the upside of being potentially more in the future. That has to happen before anything else.

I would add that this is no longer one of the youngest teams in the league. They need to get younger. They will need TEs next year with the pending FA TEs on the roster. Not to mention a cap situation that may mean those FA TE's cant comeback.

They, as of now, only have 6 draft picks next year. They are likley to trade more draft capital at the trade deadline. So IF a young UDFA TE has a great camp, it would be nice to keep him so he can learn the system this year and be able to step in next year to be TE3 or TE4, without having to go get a rookie TE next year or relying on a rookie UDFA next year.

Keeping an aging, injury prone Higbee, prevents the opportunity of keeping that young, cheap player who could fill a big need in 27'.

 

[PARAM]

Well, our first SB championship was led by two guys, on each side of the ball, who came into the league as UDFA's. Warner & Fletcher. Not to mention guys like Tony Horne, who were important role players. So it happens.

And no one is saying any of the UDFA TEs will be stars, but if Higbee gets hurt again and retires, it would a shame if a guy like Villari moves on and becomes a solid to good starter on another team in 2 yrs.

BTW, besides the 3 you
mentioned, we have a number of late 7th rd draft picks and UDFA's, who play key roles on this team or are looked at as guys that can be contributors this year and beyond.

So again, its about wasting a roster spot on a guy who is on his last legs, at a deep position, where they could get by without him, while developing a couple young guys for the future. This is especially important since they have multiple guys at TE who will be FAs next year along with a tight cap situation.

No one is saying keep a guy who shouldn't be on the roster. It's about of a guy like Villari if he has a great camp, and looks the part, and thus should make the roster, but cant because of the numbers at TE.

I would add that this is no longer one of the youngest teams in the league. They need to get younger. They will need TEs next year with the pending FA TEs on the roster. Not to mention a cap situation that may mean those FA TE's cant comeback.

They, as of now, only have 6 draft picks next year. They are likley to trade more draft capital at the trade deadline. So IF a young UDFA TE has a great camp, it would be nice to keep him so he can learn the system this year and be able to step in next year to be TE3 or TE4, without having to go get a rookie TE next year or relying on a rookie UDFA next year.

Keeping an aging, injury prone Higbee, prevents the opportunity of keeping that young, cheap player who could fill a big need in 27'.

That's really getting in the weeds though, isn't it?

Worrying about the #6 TE? Sure UDFA's will make the 53 ..... sometimes. And sometimes they even become a starter. Even a quality starter. Fletcher and Warner were but out of all the UDFA's signed along with those two, what's that percentage come to? 2%? Less? More?

Yeah, Higbee has been injured the last 2 years. Sure he's 33. My bet is, he helps the team waaaaaay more than the #6 developmental TE. And the funny thing is, the Rams may get away with keeping both!!!!

 

[OldSchool]

I don't get the rush to unload Higbee. He's still an excellent route runner and blocker. And we hear how great his is in the locker room. More TEs means less wear and tear on the 33 year old.

No rush just reality. He's 33 and dealt with injuries for a long time. His last full season was 4 years ago. He's been a great Ram and he's celebrated but thinking he might be done isn't being negative about him at all.

 

[PARAM]

No rush just reality. He's 33 and dealt with injuries for a long time. His last full season was 4 years ago. He's been a great Ram and he's celebrated but thinking he might be done isn't being negative about him at all.

I could see that viewpoint....if it weren't for re-signing him and McVay talking about how important he is to the team. It isn't being negative that despite his re-signing and the head coach talking him up, people still would rather keep a #6 UDFA over #89? I think that's extremely negative. Nothing wrong with that, if that's how a fan feels...it is a business......but let's call a spade a spade.

 

[PhillyRam]

That's really getting in the weeds though, isn't it?

Worrying about the #6 TE? Sure UDFA's will make the 53 ..... sometimes. And sometimes they even become a starter. Even a quality starter. Fletcher and Warner were but out of all the UDFA's signed along with those two, what's that percentage come to? 2%? Less? More?

Yeah, Higbee has been injured the last 2 years. Sure he's 33. My bet is, he helps the team waaaaaay more than the #6 developmental TE. And the funny thing is, the Rams may get away with keeping both!!!!

It's not getting into the weeds, its stepping back and seeing the big picture. It's about team building and maximizing assets.

Again, if Villari or Jones look like a typical UDFA's, then no issue. However, if they have great camps and look like future contributors, and likely can contribute right now on STs, then one of them should be kept.

Higbee won't contribute on STs. So if he only catches 15 balls this year with Ferguson stepping up and possibly Klare, then why keep him?

 

[PARAM]

It's not getting into the weeds, its stepping back and seeing the big picture. It's about team building and maximizing assets.

Again, if Villari or Jones look like a typical UDFA's, then no issue. However, if they have great camps and look like future contributors, and likely can contribute right now on STs, then one of them should be kept.

Higbee won't contribute on STs. So if he only catches 15 balls this year with Ferguson stepping up and possibly Klare, then why keep him?

Lotsa "ifs" there, eh? On your last statement.....because he's a better tight end than Klare and Villari. Considerably.

Last 2 years (where Higbee missed a ton of time)

Parkinson 32 GP; 73 Rec, 702 Yds, 9 TD
Higbee 13 GP; 33 Rec, 347 Yds, 5 TD
Allen 32 GP; 30 Rec, 247 Yds, 3 TD
Ferguson 14 GP; 11 Rec, 231 Yds, 3 TD
Klare and Villari.....Zeroes.

 

[WestCoastRam]

I could see that viewpoint....if it weren't for re-signing him and McVay talking about how important he is to the team. It isn't being negative that despite his re-signing and the head coach talking him up, people still would rather keep a #6 UDFA over #89? I think that's extremely negative. Nothing wrong with that, if that's how a fan feels...it is a business......but let's call a spade a spade.

I think the other thing is that Higbee plays Y TE which is almost a different position than H-back/F receiver that a guy like Villari or Rohan will play. (And even then, these guys may actually just be F receivers at the end of the day).

There's been some chatter about Fergy taking on the Y role but it's kinda one of those I'll believe it when I see it things (though I think there's a shot he will be a Y eventually).

We prob need two Y's on the team for 13 personnel to work. That's Parkinson and Higbee (though Allen can play Y in a pinch but it's not ideal).

There's a world where we get rid of Higbee cause Villari pops but the lane for that is just so small with Villari being raw, a ufda and nothing about his size nor body of work makes me think he could play Y TE at all.

It's just hard for me to see us getting rid of one of the guys who allowed us to have the league leading offense last year.

 

[WestCoastRam]

It's not getting into the weeds, its stepping back and seeing the big picture. It's about team building and maximizing assets.

Again, if Villari or Jones look like a typical UDFA's, then no issue. However, if they have great camps and look like future contributors, and likely can contribute right now on STs, then one of them should be kept.

Higbee won't contribute on STs. So if he only catches 15 balls this year with Ferguson stepping up and possibly Klare, then why keep him?

Great point about ST, apparently Villari has ST experience.

 

[Memphis Ram]

Is that Higbee on the far right?


View: https://x.com/FootballCravee/status/2034983362348425614

 

[OldSchool]

I could see that viewpoint....if it weren't for re-signing him and McVay talking about how important he is to the team. It isn't being negative that despite his re-signing and the head coach talking him up, people still would rather keep a #6 UDFA over #89? I think that's extremely negative. Nothing wrong with that, if that's how a fan feels...it is a business......but let's call a spade a spade.

Call it whatever you want and whatever makes you feel better but I'm not being negative about him in any way shape or form.

Would he be the first player to sign a co tract to try to run it back and end up retiring? I'm pretty sure the answer is no.

 

[PhillyRam]

Lotsa "ifs" there, eh? On your last statement.....because he's a better tight end than Klare and Villari. Considerably.

Last 2 years (where Higbee missed a ton of time)

Parkinson 32 GP; 73 Rec, 702 Yds, 9 TD
Higbee 13 GP; 33 Rec, 347 Yds, 5 TD
Allen 32 GP; 30 Rec, 247 Yds, 3 TD
Ferguson 14 GP; 11 Rec, 231 Yds, 3 TD
Klare and Villari.....Zeroes.

Talking about if's, but looking past all the missed time by Higbee, who is now a year older. Talk about a big IF!