The Tampa Bay Buccaneers reportedly could part ways with veteran tight end Cade Otton in free agency, creating an opportunity to upgrade at the position. Pro Football Focus predicts the team will select Ohio State tight end Max Klare in the 3rd round (No. 77 overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft to slot in as Otton’s replacement.
Klare, 6-foot-5 and 243 pounds, has drawn comparisons to Zach Ertz and is noted for explosive route nuance and reliable catch-to-attack technique. After an All-Big Ten season at Purdue (51 receptions, 685 yards, 4 TDs in 12 games) he transferred to Ohio State for his final year, earning another All-Big Ten nod (43 receptions, 448 yards, 2 TDs) amid a receiver-rich offense that included potential 2027 draft No. 1 overall pick Jeremiah Smith.
Evaluations from the pre-draft circuit praise Klare’s separation ability and playmaking mindset, though evaluators note the Ohio State system limited his opportunity to showcase everything he can do. If Tampa Bay moves on from Otton, Klare could be a target as a late-round addition with potential starter upside.
Otton’s recent performance, including a 7-catch, 94-yard, 1-TD finale against the Panthers, helped fuel renewed interest in him as a plug-and-play starter. However, projections vary on his next contract, with spot-on estimates suggesting a value around $23 million over three years, while others point to higher annual figures given his late-career production and age (26). Otton’s 2-year averages sit around 56 receptions and 545 yards per season, indicating substantial starting potential for a new team.
Meanwhile, some mock drafts have the Buccaneers considering a first-round tight end, with ESPN’s Field Yates predicting Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq—an athletic 6-foot-3, 245-pound option—in Round 1. Sadiq would pair with Tampa Bay’s existing core, including wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, running back Bucky Irving, left tackle Tristan Wirfs, and quarterback Baker Mayfield, to shape the offense for the next several seasons.
