Eagles Predicted to Add Big Ten Star Compared to $81 Million Pro Bowl TE

When it comes to the Philadelphia Eagles tight ends, time seems to truly be a flat circle.

In 2013, the Eagles drafted tight end Zach Ertz.

In 2018, the Eagles drafted Dallas Goedert to replace Ertz.

In 2026, Pro Football Network predicts the Eagles will use their first round pick on Ohio State’s Max Klare to replace Goedert.

Somewhere out there right now, there’s a really good seventh grade football player who will one day replace Klare … and probably draw comparisons to Goedert.

See how all of this works?

From PFN’s latest mock draft: “Dallas Goedert’s future in Philadelphia is uncertain, and this draft could provide them with a younger solution. After transferring from Purdue to Ohio State, Max Klare will get the chance to prove his dominance with a championship contender. He compares favorably to another former Philadelphia Eagles tight end: Zach Ertz.”

While Klare, at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, is about an inch shorter and 10 pounds lighter than both Goedert and Ertz, but could make a huge imprint in what should be his final collegiate season as he transferred from Purdue to Ohio State.

Klare was possibly the one highlight on one of the worst seasons in Purdue history as the Boilermakers went 1-11 but he had 51 receptions for 685 yards and 4 touchdowns on the way to being named All-Big Ten.

Klare Suffered Through Miserable Season With Purdue

Klare only had 2 receptions for 13 yards in a 45-0 loss to Ohio State and his future teammates last season, but the Buckeyes were the only team that truly shut him down in 2024, and Klare had his best game of the year in a 50-49 overtime loss at No. 23 Illinois with 6 receptions for 133 yards.

He did it all while Purdue had just its third 1-win season since World War II and head coach Ryan Walters was fired after going 5-19 in 2 seasons. Klare is already an Athlon Sports Preseason All-Big Ten pick with the Buckeyes.

ESPN draft experts Jordan Reid and Matt Miller both have Klare on their lists of the Top 5 tight end prospects in the 2026 draft class.

From NFL Draft Buzz: “Max Klare’s path to becoming one of the nation’s premier tight end prospects wasn’t exactly linear. The Cincinnati St. Xavier product began his collegiate journey at Purdue, where he quickly made waves as a dynamic pass-catcher. After establishing himself as the Boilermakers’ leading receiver with 51 catches for 685 yards and four touchdowns in 2024, the 6’4″, 240-pounder made the jump to Ohio State, elevating both his draft stock and national profile.”

Goedert, Ertz Have One Important Thing In Common

While Ertz now stars for the Eagles’ NFC East rival Washington Commanders, both he and Goedert have one very important thing in common they will take from their time in Philly — both were key pieces on teams that won Super Bowls.

Ertz, a 3-time Pro Bowler with the Eagles, had 74 receptions for 845 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2017 and capped his year with 7 receptions for 67 yards and 1 touchdown in a 41-33 upset of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII. Ertz, who will turn 35 years old in November, signed a 1-year, $6.25 million contract extension with the Commanders on March 6 and will have approximately $81 million in career earnings following the 2025 season.