2026 Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Profile: Max Klare, TE Ohio State
With just some weeks to go earlier than the NFL Draft, Max Klare is the almost certainly 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 stay up for 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 acquired concerned within the offense his second yr, catching 22 passes for 196 yards. His junior yr was his breakout season, and it was additionally the yr his brother Luke joined the staff in the identical tight finish room. In a horrible season for the Boilermakers, Klare led the staff in receptions (51), receiving yards (685) and receiving touchdowns (4). After the season, he entered the switch portal and joined Ohio State.
In Columbus, I joined a staff that was loaded with pass-catching expertise all around the subject. Because he was now competing towards the likes of Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate for targets, his manufacturing took an enormous 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 notably unproductive throughout the staff’s most necessary video games. He solely caught two passes for 28 yards within the convention championship loss towards Indiana. In the Playoff Quarterfinal loss to Miami, he was held with no catch. After the loss, he selected to forgo his senior season and declared for the NFL Draft.
TheMovie
Klare transitions to the NFL as a transfer tight finish who will likely be a matchup mismatch within the receiving sport, however may very well be a legal responsibility as a blocker. He reveals nice burst and acceleration in his routes, regardless of having first rate measurement. He separates nicely from defenders, powering down his velocity and making sharp cuts, however there is definitely room for him to enhance in his route working.
His palms 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 price. He improved on that final season, however on tape you’ll be able to see him combating catches, typically making them look a lot more durable than they wanted to be. He’s positive after the catch, however typically goes down at first contact. He’s fumbled the ball 3 times over the previous two seasons, too many instances for a receiver with solely 94 receptions.
He competes as a blocker, however the elite defensive ends within the NFL will not have an issue getting round him to the quarterback. He may 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 turn into a stronger blocker, however that would value him within the receiving sport.
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 in the 38th percentile for the position while his weight of 246 lbs is in the 23rd percentile. His arm length, wing span and hand size are all in the bottom third percentile for the position as well. A very popular comp for Klare in the NFL is Dalton Kincaidwho entered the league on the identical weight, however a couple of half-inch shorter. If he cannot add extra weight or turn into a greater blocker, he’ll be restricted in his alternatives to get onto the sector. Luckily, the fashionable personnel grouping within the NFL are two-tight finish units, so that would 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 beneath him that would bounce over him on draft day, however he is 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 is being valued just under Pat Freiermuth and Theo Johnsonand simply forward of Michael Mayer. In rookie draftshe is presently being chosen initially 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 massive query mark for Max Klare as he enters the NFL. On the correct staff, he may very well be a invaluable piece within the passing sport and, due to this fact, a viable depth tight finish on a dynasty staff. But, within the improper system, he may very well be a bench participant struggling to develop his sport 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, he has caught solely 166 passes relationship again to that place change. He nonetheless has a lot to be taught, 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 not take into account him in the identical tier as Sadiq and Stowers. If he leads to an ideal scenario, or will get second-round draft capital, that would change. For now, he is battling it out for the quantity three tight finish spot towards the likes of Michael Trigg, Justin Jolly, Sam Roush and Jack Endries. If you want quick assist on the place, the highest two gamers within the draft are more likely to present 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 knowledgeable of participant values.
