NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Michigan TE Marlin Klein

Marlin Klein always looks like he's having an absolute blast on the football field, with his raw effort, willingness to block, and play speed. An extremely inexperienced player, but he's a 6'6", 248-pound ball of clay to mold by whatever team drafts him, and he'll provide a roster floor with special teams experience at Michigan.

A former 3-star recruit and with only twelve starts to his name, Klein is a raw prospect but showcases a natural feel for the position while only catching 38 balls for 364 yards and one touchdown throughout his Michigan career.

Dan has covered the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL Draft since 2019 while contributing for RGR Football. Most recently, he spent the 2025 draft cycle at The Draft Network and is entering his first season in our scouting department.

Where He Wins

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— Klein has the build, willingness, and versatility to produce as a "Y" tight end at the next level.

— A true NFL seam threat with speed and an excellent catch radius to bring in passes while getting hit.

— Flashes nuance in route running to move defenders and locate space in zone to settle down in and become availible.

— Enthusiastic blocker in every phase of the game and his effort stands apart from most on the field.

Areas of Improvement

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— Klein's blocking technique (hand placement and weight distribution) is erratic, and when defenders get to his chest, it's easy for them to win reps.

— Has to learn to fight through physicality effectively in man coverage to create separation.

— He's inexperienced and needs more reps to continue growing his football intelligence.

Grade, Rank and Pro Comparison

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GRADE: 6.9 (Role Player/Part-Time Contributor - Fourth Round)

COMPARABLE GRADE: TE Jake Briningstool, Clemson (7.0 in 2025), TE Luke Schoonmaker, Michigan (6.9 in 2023), TE Jelani Woods, Virginia (7.0 in 2022)

OVERALL RANK: 127

POSITION RANK: TE11

PRO COMPARISON: Josh Whyle

Measurables and Testing Data

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Height: 6'6"
Weight: 248
Hand Size: 9½"
Arm Length: 32 ⅜"
Wingspan: N/A

40-Yard Dash: 4.61
10-Yard Split: 1.64
Vertical: 36"
Broad: 9'9"
3-Cone: 7.42
Shuttle: N/A
Bench: N/A