Joe

Klopfenstein

A shocker after they took two first-day tight ends in 2006. But coach Scott Linehan knows McMike from Miami in 2005, when he caught 60 passes and McMichael is still young at 27. McMichael should start and be his usual steady self in fantasy leagues, so this crushes Joe Klopfenstein’s keeper value and makes Dominique Byrd’s release quite possible.

Klopfenstein is competing with fellow first-day pick Dominique Byrd to start. Neither are draftable in normal re-draft leagues.

Coach Scott Linehan would like to sign another blocking tight end, but it appears Klopfenstein has the early edge over fellow rookie Dominique Byrd. Linehan has always featured the tight end, which could make Klopfenstein interesting down the line.

“I think Joe’s been the most consistent,” coach Scott Linehan said. “Tight ends are blockers and receivers, but they’re blockers first.” He may not be a fantasy option right away, but a tight end in St. Louis’ offense is always worth watching.

The second-year TE started all 16 games last season. However, he will lose significant playing time to Randy McMichael, who was acquired in the offseason, though the Rams are planning on more two-tight end sets.

The Rams turned their 2006 second-round pick into a sort of an H-back in his second year after Klop caught 20 passes as a rookie. Randy McMichael is very likely to return next season, so Klopfenstein will remain buried.

Fells, who recorded just seven catches last season, has been playing “lights out” according to Marc Bulger. But this is more of an indictment of Klopfenstein, the former second-rounder who failed to step up when McMichael got injured last season.

The Rams’ 2006 draft was historically bad. Klop was the 46th overall pick that year. St. Louis has also parted with No. 15 pick Tye Hill, No. 68 pick Claude Wroten, No. 77 pick Jon Alston, and No. 93 pick Dominique Byrd. At least they’re finally admitting their mistakes and trying to institute change.

Pittman was the team’s second-leading rusher in 2008, but the Rams prefer Ken Darby and rookie Chris Ogbonnaya’s versatility behind Steven Jackson. Klop never developed after the Rams blew a second-rounder on him in ’06.

Becht was signed to relieve Randy McMichael of some responsibilities in the run game, but may now risk getting cut. Joe Klopfenstein has earned praise in training camp and is a functional in-line blocker with more athleticism.