NFL Draft profile and projection for tight end Max Klare

Max Klare transferred to Ohio State from Purdue for his final season of college football, and he made a real impact on the Ohio State season. He was a clear and effect third option for the Buckeyes in the passing game (after Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate) and was also a strong blocker on the edge, though not quite as effective as Will Kacmarek). Still, Klare is a solid tight end and good option in the passing game, so expect him to hear his name called in the NFL Draft.

Max Klare, Tight End

Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Max Klare (86) catches a pass against the UCLA Bruins in the first half of the NCAA college football game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.

Draft Projection: Round 2-4

Klare has good size for a tight end and an impressive catch radius. He doesn't quite have the top-end speed that some receiving tight ends do, but he makes up for it with impressive route running and pretty sure hands (though he did have a few drops at the beginning of this season).

Mock drafts tend to have a varying opinion of Klare; some have him much lower than others. That's what you get for primary passing game tight ends who have questions about their blocking ability. Klare blocked well enough in college, but he's a bit smaller than most NFL tight ends, which raises concerns about his ability to contribute in the run game in the NFL.

One thing to note is that Klare was, in some ways, even more impressive in his 2024 season at Purdue than in his 2025 season at Ohio State. NFL teams can see that, so they know what Klare's upside is, even if there are some question marks.

Klare will probably be one of the higher tight ends in this year's draft class, but he probably won't make it to the second round. I would expect him to go in Round 3, but falling to the fourth wouldn't be much of a surprise, either.