The 12-personnel, two tight end, package could be one of the next trends to sweep through NFL offenses. Not, however, as a heavy running formation, but as a passing formation.
The NFL invited 27 tight ends to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, many more than in previous years. That alone suggests widespread interest in the position, but we also saw more frequent use of tight ends last year as well.
Ohio State’s Max Klare is vying to be one of the first tight ends drafted this year, and he might be the first “classic”
tight end off the board. As you might expect from an Ohio State tight end, Klare is a classic “Y” tight end who can do it all.
John Harbaugh’s teams have featured great tight end play for much of the last decade, and while the New York Giants tight end chart looks solid with the addition of Isaiah Likely, is that good enough? Or could Klare’s pedigree and ability make him a dark horse for the Giants?
Prospect: Max Klare (86)
Games Watched: vs. Minnesota (2025), vs. Penn State (2025), vs. Indiana (2025)
Red flags: Ankle (2022-2023)
Measurables
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Strengths
Best traits
- Run blocking
- Pass protection
- Football IQ
- Pass catching
Max Klare is a versatile and reliable tight end prospect.
Klare has a solid frame for the position at 6-foot-4, 246 pounds, who appears to have room on his frame to add mass without sacrificing much – if any – athleticism. Klare has enough athleticism to get into position quickly as a blocker as well as be a factor in the passing game.
Klare runs a reasonably diverse route tree, attacking the seams between zone coverages as well as attacking less athletic linebackers in the shallow to intermediate area of the field. Klare has good ball skills as a receiver, quickly locating the ball in the air and using his agility to make good adjustments to haul in poorly placed passes. Klare is a natural hands catcher who can contort his body to expand his catch radius and be a good safety blanket for his quarterback.
While he was a reliable option for Ohio State in the passing game, Klare made his mark as a blocker in the Buckeye’s offense. He is a very willing run blocker who shows a clear understanding of blocking schemes and does a great job of using his athleticism to get into position quickly. Klare engages defenders with good leverage and technique, keeping his pads low and uncoiling his hips to drive DBs and linebackers off the ball. Likewise, he has enough play strength that he’s able to create holes as a move blocker, lose slowly against edge defenders, and collapse the edge of the defense on off-tackle plays.
He’s a similarly capable pass protector who quickly identifies pressure, promptly stepping up to meet blitzers at the line of scrimmage. His technique and play strength allow him to stonewall smaller defenders, as well as aid tackles with effective chip blocks or double teams.
Weaknesses
Worst traits
- Size
- Athleticism
- Arm length
There are few true weaknesses in Klare’s profile. He has limitations that lower his ceiling, however he doesn’t have many true deficits in his game.
Klare is a good, but not great, athlete who doesn’t quite present the kind of athletic “nightmare mismatch” that gets scouts and coaches excited. He isn’t the kind of player who forces offenses to game plan for him, nor does he have the ability to take over a game as a primary receiver. Klare was used in multiple roles, but those were almost completely limited to being a traditional tight end, which could limit his appeal slightly to more creatively-minded offensive coaches.
Physically Klare has a good frame to be a Y tight end, but not exceptional. He has good size and weight, but not great, while his arms are a bit on the short side. Likewise, his 9 ⅛ inch hands could be a slight concern for bad weather teams.
Finally, teams will want to investigate the ankle injury he suffered back in 2022. It lingered throughout that year and ultimately needed season-ending surgery in 2023 to repair a torn ligament. He has played two full seasons since then, but due diligence is required.
Game Tape
(Klare is the Ohio State tight end wearing number 86 with black pants.)
Projection
Max Klare projects as a starting “Y” tight end at the NFL level.
Klare might not have the kind of sky-high ceiling that gets scouts and coaches excited, but he has the kind of reliability that makes him very tough to get off the field once he gets on. Klare should be able to start as the lone tight end in an 11-personnel set, as well as work opposite a hybrid receiving tight end or big blocking tight end in a 12-personnel package.
He might not have the rare traits that will get him drafted in the first round, however Klare should be the second or third tight end off the board and shouldn’t have to wait long to hear his name called on the second night of the draft.
Does he fit the Giants? Yes
Final Word: A Day 2 pick
