Cleveland hit gold last year when they grabbed Harold Fannin Jr. at pick No. 67. The Canton native didn’t just play; he took over. Fannin finished 2025 with 72 receptions for 731 yards and 6 touchdowns, proving he can handle the “queen on the chessboard” role Andrew Berry envisioned. However, the air in Cleveland felt different when David Njoku posted his farewell to the “Dawg Pound” on Instagram last February. Njoku’s departure leaves 4,062 career receiving yards of production on the table, and the current supporting cast of Jack Stoll and Blake Whiteheart offers more in blocking than in vertical threats.
The draft board suggests a solution is nearby. Max Klare, who transferred from Purdue to Ohio State, offers the exact blend of size and speed Monken craves. While Klare’s stats dipped slightly at OSU due to the presence of Jeremiah Smith, his tape shows an elite ability to snap off routes and find soft spots in zone coverage. The Browns hold two first-round picks (No. 6 and No. 24) and ten total selections, giving them the ammunition to move aggressively for a Day 2 steal like Klare if he doesn’t climb higher.
“We love what Harold brings to the room, but you can’t survive in this league with just one matchup nightmare. We need guys who can win one-on-ones when the defense shifts their focus. The tight end isn’t just a blocker here; he’s an engine.”
— Todd Monken, Browns Offensive Coordinator
Building a roster around two high-end tight ends isn’t just a trend; for Monken, it’s a strategy. During his time in Baltimore, he turned Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely into a league-wide headache. Pairing Klare with Fannin allows Cleveland to stay in heavy sets while maintaining a track-meet level of speed on the outside. Klare stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 245 pounds, offering a larger frame than the slightly undersized Fannin. This duo would force linebackers into a “pick your poison” scenario every Sunday at Huntington Bank Field.
The chilly March wind blowing off Lake Erie today serves as a reminder that training camp is closer than it looks. If Berry and the Browns front office want to stabilize a passing game that often felt one-dimensional last season, poaching the best talent from Columbus is the logical next step. Klare isn’t just a local favorite; he’s the missing piece for a 2026 playoff run.
