With just some weeks to go earlier than the NFL Draft, Max Klare is the almost definitely candidate to go off the board because the third tight finish, behind Kenyon Sadiq and Eli Stowers. Should he be thought-about in the identical tier as the highest two, or is he a transparent step behind the Oregon and Vanderbilt tight ends? We’ll analyze the stats, movie, and measurables for Klare and look forward to his fantasy soccer worth in dynasty leagues and rookie drafts.
The Stats
Klare’s collegiate stats courtesy of Sports Reference.
Klare was born in Indiana, however he was a soccer and baseball star at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati. He initially performed quarterback in JV, however after dropping a contest to begin his junior season, he moved over to tight finish. As a senior, he broke out, catching 39 passes for 637 yards and 5 touchdowns. As a three-star recruit, he selected to return to Indiana to attend Purdue, backing out of a dedication with Duke.
After a quiet freshman season, he bought concerned within the offense his second 12 months, catching 22 passes for 196 yards. His junior 12 months was his breakout season, and it was additionally the 12 months his brother Luke joined the group in the identical tight finish room. In a horrible season for the Boilermakers, Klare led the group in receptions (51), receiving yards (685) and receiving touchdowns (4). After the season, he entered the switch portal and joined Ohio State.
In Columbus, he joined a group that was loaded with pass-catching expertise everywhere in the area. Because he was now competing in opposition to the likes of Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate for targets, his manufacturing took a giant hit. In 14 video games, Klare caught 43 passes for 448 yards and two touchdowns. Despite the step again, he nonetheless earned first-team All-Big Ten honors for his season. He was significantly unproductive throughout the group’s most essential video games. He solely caught two passes for 28 yards within the convention championship loss in opposition to Indiana. In the Playoff Quarterfinal loss to Miami, he was held with out a catch. After the loss, he selected to forgo his senior season and declared for the NFL Draft.
The Film
Klare transitions to the NFL as a transfer tight finish who might be a matchup mismatch within the receiving recreation, however could possibly be a legal responsibility as a blocker. He exhibits nice burst and acceleration in his routes, regardless of having first rate measurement. He separates effectively from defenders, powering down his pace and making sharp cuts, however there’s definitely room for him to enhance in his route operating.
His fingers are fast and he snatches the ball out of the air, however he has struggled with drops all through his faculty profession. In 2024 he had 5 drops, an 8.9% drop charge. He improved on that final season, however on tape you possibly can see him scuffling with catches, typically making them look a lot tougher than they wanted to be. He’s wonderful after the catch, however typically goes down at first contact. He’s fumbled the ball thrice over the previous two seasons, too many occasions for a receiver with solely 94 receptions.
He competes as a blocker, however the elite defensive ends within the NFL received’t have an issue getting round him to the quarterback. He will be pushed off his spot with relative ease, and struggles to get any leverage as a run blocker. There’s room in his body for him to bulk up and develop into a stronger blocker, however that might price him within the receiving recreation.
The Measurables
Image courtesy of NFL.com.
Klare is available in on the smaller finish of most measurements for the tight finish place. 6’4” is within the thirty eighth percentile for the place whereas his weight of 246 lbs is within the twenty third percentile. His arm size, wing span and hand measurement are all within the backside third percentile for the place as effectively. A very fashionable comp for Klare within the NFL is Dalton Kincaid, who entered the league on the similar weight, however a few half-inch shorter. If he can’t add extra weight or develop into a greater blocker, he’ll be restricted in his alternatives to get onto the sphere. Luckily, the stylish personnel grouping within the NFL are two-tight finish units, so that might assist him see extra alternatives with a stronger blocker lined up in-line.
The Value
Klare’s mock draft historical past, courtesy of NFL Mock Draft Database.
In mock drafts proper now, Klare appears to be trending in direction of being a day two decide, possible on the border of the second and third rounds. Mock Draft Database’s big board has him because the third tight finish off the board, going at 73 total. It’s a deep tight finish class, so there are a number of names going under him that might bounce over him on draft day, however he’s unlikely to be taken forward of Kanyon Sadiq and Eli Stowers.
Data from DLF Startup Draft ADP.
In startup dynasty drafts, Klare goes off the board because the TE35, 247th total. That means he’s being valued slightly below Pat Freiermuth and Theo Johnson, and simply forward of Michael Mayer. In rookie drafts, he’s presently being chosen in the beginning of the third spherical at 29 total and because the third tight finish off the board. The DLF Rookie Rankings even have him because the quantity three tight finish, however push him up into the second spherical at 22 total.
Dynasty Outlook
Opportunity goes to be the large query mark for Max Klare as he enters the NFL. On the precise group, he could possibly be a worthwhile piece within the passing recreation and, subsequently, a viable depth tight finish on a dynasty group. But, within the fallacious system, he could possibly be a bench participant struggling to develop his recreation into an all-around tight finish. Either method, he’ll be a challenge on the place within the NFL. He solely picked up the place as a highschool junior and, in complete, has caught solely 166 passes relationship again to that place swap. He nonetheless has lots to study, and hopefully he can use that point to bulk up right into a full-sized NFL tight finish.
With all of those query marks, I can’t think about him in the identical tier as Sadiq and Stowers. If he leads to an ideal scenario, or will get second-round draft capital, that might change. For now, he’s battling it out for the quantity three tight finish spot in opposition to the likes of Michael Trigg, Justin Joly, Sam Roush and Jack Endries. If you want instant assist on the place, the highest two gamers within the draft are more likely to offer that to you.
Tim has spent over a decade in sports activities radio as a number, analyst, play-by-play broadcaster and a producer. He’s been referred to as the Tom Brady of dynasty commissioners and an professional of participant values.
