The Los Angeles Rams have a tight end crowd on their hands, and that kind of surplus tends to get general manager Les Snead thinking.
Between veterans, rookies and undrafted free agent additions, the room is up to eight players deep. Even if you narrow it to the names most likely to stick, the Rams still appear to have five tight ends who could realistically be on the 53-man roster. For a team that likes to use 13-personnel, that’s a lot of bodies in one room.
That’s why the Carolina Panthers have entered the conversation. Cat Crave expert Dean Jones recently pointed to a Bleacher Report idea from Moe Moton suggesting Carolina could be a fit for a mid-round pick deal for tight end Tyler Higbee. Jones is on board with the concept, and some Rams fans are warming to it too.
Moton wrote: "Though Parkinson led the Rams' tight ends with eight touchdowns last year, the club may be willing to trade him if Ferguson (a 2025 second-rounder) and Klare show they're ready to take on big roles this year."
The logic is easy to see from Los Angeles’ side. The Rams are short on 2027 draft capital, and they only have four picks in the next draft - in Rounds 2, 4, 5 and 6. That makes any chance to add more selections worth a serious look.
At the same time, moving a player like Parkinson would not be a simple decision. The Rams are trying to go all-in, and trading away their top tight end sounds counterintuitive on the surface. But it becomes more plausible if rookie Max Klare and sophomore Terrance Ferguson start showing they can handle the offense and build a connection with Matthew Stafford.
There are still reasons to be cautious. Klare is a rookie, and that can make life difficult in a complex offense.
Ferguson caught only 44 percent of his targets last season. Even so, the Rams can’t keep five tight ends forever, and neither Ferguson nor Klare appears to be in danger.
Higbee just got extended, with the Rams emphasizing his leadership and presence in the locker room. Davis Allen also carved out a useful role last season. He’s inexpensive, a strong blocker, a reliable receiver and entering the final year of his rookie deal.
That leaves Parkinson in the most obvious trade lane. He’s at peak value, and he’s also the priciest tight end on the roster. If Klare and Ferguson shine in camp, Parkinson could draw interest from more than one team.
For now, it’s still just speculation. Plenty would have to happen before Snead seriously considers moving Parkinson, or anyone else. But if the Panthers want to make a run at a proven tight end, this is the kind of deal that could make sense for both sides.
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