Max Klare: Patriots' Day Two Draft Steal

0:00On April 8th, the 2026 NFL Draft is stacking up with top tight ends, and the Patriots look prime to grab one or two to fix their depth. Chart. Hunter Henry is hitting age 31 in his final contract year, while New Sinie Julian Hill only has 33 career catches. Enter Ohio State's Max Claire, a 6 foot 4, 246 pound beast, turning 23 next summer. Claire started at Purdue as a 3 star recruit, but grinded through a slow freshman year and an ankle injury. He exploded in his junior season with 51 catches for 685 yards and four scores, earning third team, all big 10. Transferring to Ohio State, he still balled out for first team honors, despite a crowded receiver room. Fans and scouts love his route running pop and blocking grit, especially climbing to the second level, making him a passing game mismatch. He brings that vertical threat and seam stretcher vibe, though his yards after catch dip last year, and smaller hands plus that old ankle nag as, question marks.

1:04For New England, he's the athletic youth injection they crave behind Henry. Projective for rounds 2 or 3, Claire met no Patriots yet, but his versatility in slot or inline fits my label scheme perfectly. He could spell the vets early in passing downs and grow into a full time starter like Sam LaPorta, especially with Raeble's love for buck eyes. From line, in this loaded tight end class, Claire's day 2 upside makes him the smart paths pick to rebuild the position long term and keep defenses, guessing. And Asin, that's for NFL News Today Update, AI powered and always on.