The Los Angeles Rams used a tight-end-heavy offensive strategy during the 2025 season that may prompt other NFL teams to emulate the scheme in 2026 [1, 2].
This shift matters because the Rams' use of "13-personnel," a formation featuring three tight ends, produced efficiency levels comparable to some of the most elite offenses in league history [2]. As teams analyze the 2025 data, the strategy could change how rosters are built and how the draft is approached in the coming year [1].
The success of the Rams' approach is rooted in the Expected Points Added (EPA) per play. According to data from the 2025 season, the Rams' 13-personnel efficiency rivaled that of the 2007 New England Patriots, who averaged 0.24 EPA per play [2]. This metric suggests that the heavy tight-end look created significant scoring advantages and forced defenses to adjust their personnel on the field [2].
Such high efficiency is rare in the modern era of the league. The only other offenses since 2017 to average a comparable EPA per snap were the 2018 Kansas City Chiefs and the 2020 Green Bay Packers [2]. By mirroring the output of these championship-caliber teams, the Rams have provided a blueprint for using jumbo personnel to create mismatches in both the running and passing games [1, 2].
NFL analysts are now watching to see if this trend extends to the 2026 draft and free agency. If more teams adopt the 13-personnel model, there will likely be an increased demand for versatile tight ends who can both block and catch [1]. The Rams' performance in 2025 has effectively shifted the conversation around offensive versatility and the value of the tight end position in the modern NFL [1, 2].
“The Rams' 13-personnel efficiency rivaled that of the 2007 New England Patriots”
The adoption of 13-personnel by other teams would signal a tactical pivot away from the league's general trend toward smaller, faster offensive sets. By prioritizing high EPA through tight-end heavy formations, the NFL may see a resurgence in 'jumbo' packages that challenge the speed-based philosophy of modern defensive schemes.
