One prospect who may interest the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft is former Ohio State tight end Max Klare. He is a 6-4, 246-pound tight end who is expected to be a second-round selection in the upcoming NFL Draft. The Athletic’s lead draft analyst, Dane Brugler, has Klare ranked as his 54th overall player in the 2026 NFL Draft and his third-best tight end in this class.
Klare started his college career at Purdue before transferring to Ohio State this past year. He was highly productive for Purdue in 2024 and showcased his talents on a stacked Ohio State team this past season. During his four seasons in college, Klare played in 33 games and had 116 receptions for 1,329 yards and 6 touchdowns. This past year for Ohio State, he totaled 43 receptions for 448 yards and 2 touchdowns. His best statistical season came in 2024 with Purdue when he totaled 51 receptions for 685 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Klare would give the Broncos a complete tight end prospect. He can play in-line and be an effective blocker while also having the ability to play in the slot or outside and be an effective pass catcher. The Broncos brought back blocking specialists Adam Trautman and Nate Adkins and still have veteran pass-catcher Evan Engram, but Klare would be a solid addition to the Broncos’ tight end room.
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Player Profile
Max Klare | Tight End | Ohio State
*Note: Max Klare did not do any athletic testing at the Combine or at his Pro Day
Film Room
Scouting Report
Strengths
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A loose and fluid athlete who moves well in space
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Has a developed route tree
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A vertical/seam threat and had multiple big plays during his college career
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Has been a productive downfield threat
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Is able to use his athleticism and route-running skills to separate
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Versatility to line up in-line, in the slot, or outside
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Gains yards after the catch and fights for extra yards
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Reads zone coverage well and is able to find the open spaces and get open for the quarterback
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Is a catch-first tight end, but can play in-line
Weaknesses
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While he’s a willing and adequate blocker, he will need to improve his technique to thrive there in the NFL
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A little undersized and could struggle against bigger and stronger defenders
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Does have some issues with drops and how he attacks the ball in the air
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Production dipped a little bit after he transferred to Ohio State, and he did not do any athletic testing prior to the draft
What other analysts are saying about Ohio State TE Max Klare
The Athletic’s lead draft analyst, Dane Brugler, on Ohio State TE Max Klare
Klare is a good-looking athlete, with the speed and urgency that suggest he has yet to play his best football. He needs to improve some of his pacing and the subtleties of getting open, but his route movements are crisp and fluid. The foundation is there to be a serviceable blocker, too.
NFL.com’s draft analyst Lance Zierlein on Ohio State TE Max Klare
Highly athletic, pass-catching tight end capable of earning volume targets on the pro level. Klare can live beyond the typical targeted depth for most tight ends thanks to his route inventory and ability to generate separation across the field. He’s best from the slot but can widen out when a matchup presents itself. Hands and ball-tracking are below average but his production could make teams forget the drops. He improved as a run blocker as the season progressed, but “functional” might be the finish line there. In a league craving impact tight ends, Klare has a chance to inject life into an offense hunting mismatches.
Should the Broncos draft Ohio State TE Max Klare in the 2nd round of the 2026 NFL Draft?
If he’s available, I think the Broncos will strongly consider him.
Klare would give the Broncos a tight end who can play in-line, even though he’ll need to improve in that area, while giving them a big play threat in the middle of the field. He’s a fluid athlete who can be a big-play threat in the middle of the field and line up anywhere in the offense. He has YAC potential, is a crisp route runner, and would give Broncos quarterback Bo Nix another receiving threat to utilize in the passing game.
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While athletic testing prior to the draft is not the end-all, it would have been nice to see where Klare stacked up against his fellow tight ends. This is a loaded class, and several of them have improved their stock due to their testing numbers. Still, Klare’s film speaks for itself, and at the end of the day, that matters more.
As for blocking, he may never be a “blocking specialist,” but good enough to be serviceable or adequate there. I still believe he will need to add some strength/good weight if he wants to hold up there against bigger, stronger, and more athletic defenders in the NFL.
Overall, I would be happy with Klare in the second round. The Broncos need a tight end with his skill set, and I believe he would instantly make that room better. It’s unclear if Klare will make it to the Broncos’ pick in the 2nd round, but if he does, I think they will strongly consider drafting him.