Josh Frey’s 2026 NFL Draft Guide: Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq
The 2026 NFL Draft is often viewed as one where teams will end up focusing more on the floor of a player rather than the ceiling.
The consensus is that there aren’t many league-wrecking prospects in this class, but that point of view might need to be thrown out the window with Kenyon Sadiq. The tight end is dripping with potential to become a star at the next level.
Background
Statistics
- 2023: 5 receptions, 24 yards, 1 TD (14 games)
- 2024: 24 receptions, 308 yards, 2 TDs (14 games)
- 2025: 51 receptions, 560 yards, 8 TDs (14 games)
Measurables
- Height: 6’3″
- Weight: 241
- Hand Size: 10″
- Arm Length: 31 1/2″
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.39
- 10-Yard Split: 1.54
- 20-Yard Shuttle: N/A
- Vertical: 43.5″
- Broad Jump: 11’1″
- 3 Cone: N/A
- Bench: 26 reps
Sadiq spent the first two years of his collegiate career as a developmentary reserve in the Oregon Ducks program before bursting onto the scene as one of the best receiving tight ends in the country in 2025. Now, he’s hoping to turn that production into a high end draft status this spring.
Strengths
Sadiq is a very clean receiving tight end prospect. He can run just about any route whether it be a go route breaking away from defenders in the secondary, or he can intricately break in and out of his routes with buttery smooth foot speed and balance.
His NFL Combine performance is a testimony to that with numbers that are virtually identical to what Vernon Davis accomplished at the event though Davis did have 13 pounds on Sadiq.
Not only is Sadiq a very solid receiver, he is an impressive player in run blocking as well. He doesn’t take those snaps off and is capable of planting himself and holding his own against defenders. His strong hands are capable of fighting off rush moves, and those hands also help him hold onto the football through collisions at the point of the catch.
Weaknesses
While Sadiq is plenty capable of blocking while playing along the line of scrimmage, he isn’t exactly the player you want taking lead blocks down the field in the second and third levels of the defense. He seems to mistime himself or hold back some contact on those blocks, allowing defenders to shed fairly easily.
Drops were also an issue for Sadiq in 2025. On 67 targets, he had six drops. In on target passes, he had a drop rate of 10.5%.
Finally, while he certainly is a willing blocker, a 241-pound frame could cause some issues in that department at the NFL level.
2026 NFL Draft Projection
- NFL Draft Projection: Mid First Round
- Team Fits: Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins
Sadiq has a few things to clean up before he becomes a star at the NFL level, but all the potential in the world is there. He has the upside of being an All-Pro tight end a few years down the line, and TE-needy teams in the first round should jump at the chance to pick him.
Editor’s Note: Statistics from Pro Football Focus helped with this article.
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