Here's a list of some of the tight ends drafted in the top two rounds of the last three NFL Drafts: Colston Loveland, Tyler Warren, Mason Taylor, Terrance Ferguson, Elijah Arroyo, Brock Bowers, Dalton Kincaid, Sam LaPorta, and Brenton Strange. The list is pretty impressive when you consider that most view top tight end prospects as highly volatile. The league is getting better at identifying tight end talent, and college football is getting better at developing it.
The Kansas City Chiefs have a lingering question that will soon be answered around Travis Kelce's future with the team. Either way, there are not a lot of long-term answers at the position. Noah Gray disappointed in 2025 and has never been the main option. Jared Wiley and Jake Bringstool are nothing more than ideas at this point. Kelce or not in 2026, the Chiefs can stand to add a tight end early in this draft, and the track record says doing so early can pay off.
The Chiefs need to invest in both pass catchers and blockers at the tight end position. The tight end class as a whole is a little underwhelming, but there are a variety of options that can fit each need. If Kelce returns for 2026, it's even more important to bring in young tight end talent to develop with him before he rides off into the Taylor Swift sunset.
To keep close tabs on the 2026 NFL Draft and the top prospects for the Kansas City Chiefs, make sure to bookmark our Arrowhead Addict Big Board. Our custom big board is tailored toward the Chiefs’ needs and thresholds.
Max Klare | TE | 6-5 243 LBS
— Price Carter (@priceacarter) January 24, 2026
Hustle blocker w/ alignment versatility. Savvy route stems to read leverage, explosive and quick upfield burst after the catch. Finds space vs zone. Needs stronger in-line blocking and improved blocking on the move.
Shades of: Dalton Schultz pic.twitter.com/ldw5qDqACh
NFL Draft Profile: Max Klare, Tight End, Ohio State
Age: 22 (on draft day)
Height: 6-5 (listed)
Weight: 243 LBS (listed)
Tape Exposure: Texas (2025), Minnesota (2025), Rutgers (2025)
Shades of: Dalton Schultz
Max Klare's background
An Ohio native, Klare attended St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ranked as a 3-star recruit by 247 Sports, he committed to Purdue out of high school, where he spent the first three seasons of his college career, amassing 881 yards and four touchdowns. In December of 2024, he entered the transfer portal as the top tight end prospect and committed to Ohio State. In his senior year, he logged 448 yards and two touchdowns for the Buckeyes.
Max Klare's strengths
Athletic Traits
When Klare gets the ball in his hands, you can see the fluid and explosive athlete that he is in the open field. At 6-6, 243 lbs., he has an NFL frame that can develop into a Y tight end who can play both in-line or out wide at the next level.
Route Running
Despite not having a huge track record of pass-catching production, Klare displays some high-level nuance in his routes. He reads defenders well in coverage and uses his leverage against them. He has a natural feel for zone coverage and when to break off a block and find open space.
Versatility
Klare has been used in several roles during his time at Ohio State and Purdue. He's taken plenty of snaps in-line as an H/Y tight end, has been used as a slot receiver, and has lined up out wide as well. He's also been used as a motion man or puller in the run game. His athleticism allows him to be a versatile piece in any run game.
Max Klare's weaknesses
Inline Blocking
Klare is neutral as a blocker at best. He has some nice reps, particularly in the run game, but hasn't been asked to do much in pass protection other than chipping. At times, he can be caught lunging for a block rather than maintaining his base.
Downfield Blocking
Odd to say, but Klare misses a lot of blocks downfield. He just seems to struggle to connect on the move as a blocker. He frequently can’t line up his momentum or hand placement to extend a play as a downfield blocker.
Production Profile
A four-year player averaging 40 yards per game and 11.5 yards per reception, with just six touchdowns in his career. The physical profile is enticing, but the production hasn't been what you'd like to see from a potential Day 2 pick.
How does Max Klare fit with the Chiefs?
Klare has a chance to be the next Noah Gray, not Travis Kelce. Recognizing that what Kelce has done in his career is just not normal—or frankly, reality—for 99% of all tight ends. Looking across the league at players like Dawson Knox or Dalton Schultz, this is much more what a traditional tight end passing game looks like. This is the path for Klare with growth, and that growth would be ideal behind Kelce and/or Gray.
Max Klare is a versatile, workmanlike blocker with route savvy, an explosive seam presence, and the ability to quickly get upfield and find space in zone coverage. He must improve in-line blocking strength, hand usage versus physical defenders, and consistency when sustaining blocks on the move.
Round Grade: Red Chip (3rd Round)