NFL draft trend: What tight end craze has to do with offensive innovation and Sean McVay

The story of the second day of the NFL draft revolved around one position group – tight end. And it’s a clear signal of the next NFL offensive innovation that began to take hold across the league in 2025. The Los Angeles Rams drafted another tight end and now have enough to build the entire offense out of them.

Let’s not give head coach Sean McVay any ideas after his team found another spot in an already-crowded room for Ohio State's Max Klare at No. 61 overall. The Rams are at the forefront of executing a passing attack out of heavy personnel, with two or more tight ends on the field at a time, also known as "12" (two tight ends) and "13" (three tight ends) personnel.

The Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles also took tight ends in the second round, meaning almost half of the NFC playoff field from 2025 deployed the same strategy. It’s a copycat league. ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr.

said the run on tight ends in the second round was the story of the night. “You got guys that can catch the ball, you got guys (you can play) in-line,” Kiper said. In all, eight tight ends went off the board between the second and third rounds on April 25.