Sizzling combine speed and record-breaking catches hint at Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq’s NFL future, potentially pairing him with an MVP quarterback.
Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq might be the steal of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Sadiq turned heads with his performance during the scouting combine in February and March. His blazing 4.39 40-yard dash time will make a lot of league teams consider drafting him in the top 10.
Most mock drafts have teams with elite quarterbacks drafting Sadiq. He'd fit in with the Kansas City Chiefs, who could lose Travis Kelce before 2027. The Los Angeles Rams need pass-catching help for aging quarterback Matthew Stafford.
ESPN's Peter Schrager recently revealed his mock draft based on intel he received during the league's annual meeting in Phoenix last week. Schrager thinks the former Ducks star could be the Baltimore Ravens’ pick at No. 14.
"What better way to show Lamar Jackson and Ravens fans that the Baltimore offense isn't going anywhere without offensive coordinator Todd Monken or former TE2 Isaiah Likely than by drafting a supreme talent like Sadiq?
"One of the stars of the combine, Sadiq ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, the fastest time for a tight end since at least 2003. He also caught 51 passes last season, the most ever by an Oregon tight end. Mark Andrews is back in Baltimore, but he's now in his 30s, and this offense likes having multiple impact players at the position."
Even with Andrews, the Ravens could boost its tight end room by drafting Sadiq. Baltimore's running attack is important, and Sadiq excelled as a run blocker during his time at Oregon.
Andrews is back, but it remains to be seen if he can be the player he was in his prime.
Sadiq would offer Jackson and the Ravens some stability at the position, and a speedy tight end could help to get the most out of Jackson.
New offensive coordinator Declan Doyle worked through a similar situation with the Chicago Bears last season. The Bears drafted Colston Loveland with the No. 10 pick despite having Cole Kmet on the roster.
The pairing of Kmet and Loveland worked out for the Bears and second-year quarterback Caleb Williams. Loveland wound up leading the Bears in receiving last season.