​The Los Angeles Rams had one of the more productive offenses in the league last season, and none of their surprises were bigger than the breakout year delivered by tight end Colby Parkinson. He stepped into a substantial role within Sean McVay’s heavy 13-personnel formations and delivered a true breakout campaign, posting 43 receptions, 408 yards, and a franchise-record eight touchdowns. Yet, Bleacher Report analyst Moe Moton cautions against counting on a repeat of those career-best numbers in 2026, suggesting that Parkinson could end up being the Rams’ most notable bust for the upcoming season.
The core reason for this chilly forecast isn’t so much a doubt about Parkinson’s top-tier receiving ability but rather a looming depth-chart challenge. In 2025, Parkinson served as Matthew Stafford’s most trusted tight end, leading the position with 56 targets and accounting for more than 37 percent of the Rams’ tight-end targets. That share put him well ahead of Tyler Higbee (36 targets), Davis Allen (33), and Terrance Ferguson (25). Moton points out that Parkinson’s target share could shrink in 2026 as Ferguson progresses in his second NFL year and as the Rams potentially welcome the arrival of Max Klare, a tight end selected in the 2026 draft’s second round.
With Ferguson and Klare positioned behind Parkinson on the depth chart, the veteran pass-catcher would likely surrender a meaningful portion of his playing time. Even if Parkinson remains a trusted blocker and a red-zone option, the presence of Ferguson and Klare could dilute his statistical output, turning last year’s breakout into a cautionary tale for fantasy managers and Rams fans alike.
Another factor weighing on Parkinson’s outlook is the financial side of the equation: he is entering the final year of his contract, carrying a $9.08 million cap hit for 2026. That situates him as a potential trade asset or even a salary-cap casualty if the Rams decide they prefer the stability and potential upside of their newer options at the position. The combination of increased competition for targets and the looming financial considerations could limit Parkinson’s opportunities in 2026, even if his blocking and red-zone credentials remain valuable to the team.
In short, while Parkinson demonstrated the capacity to anchor the Rams’ tight-end role last season, the combination of a deeper tight end room and the looming contract-year pressures could substantially alter his fantasy and real-world production in 2026. The path to a repeat all but narrows as Ferguson and Klare push for more snaps, potentially relegating Parkinson from premier target to a more situational contributor. This reality makes Moton’s warning about a potential regression a prudent planning point for fantasy managers and Rams observers heading into the new season. This overview originally appeared on Rams Wire.