Pro scouts eye Jamari Johnson as a more well-rounded successor to first-rounder Kenyon Sadiq, projecting the rising star to anchor Oregon's lethal offense and climb draft boards.
After being taken with the No. 16 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, it might seem improbable for the Oregon Ducks to have a perfect replacement for tight end Kenny Sadiq.
There usually aren't many tight ends taken in the first round, but Sadiq impressed NFL scouts with his heroics in the scouting combine. He was also the Ducks’ second-leading receiver last year with 560 yards and eight scores on 51 receptions.
Jamari Johnson didn't have too shabby of a season for Oregon last year. In his second season, the tight end recorded 32 receptions for 510 yards and three touchdowns.
Per Jordan Reid of ESPN, some NFL scouts think Johnson could be better overall than Sadiq and could be drafted higher than No. 16 in the 2027 NFL Draft.
"Tight end Jamari Johnson steps in for Kenyon Sadiq, and there are evaluators who believe he's more well-rounded than the recent No. 16 overall pick," Reid wrote.
"Johnson is expected to become a top receiving option for (Dante) Moore, and if he takes another step in his development, he could be drafted higher than Sadiq."
In addition to being a target for Dante Moore, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning wants his tight ends to be solid blockers in the run game. Lanning believes Johnson has taken the next step this offseason.
"We always felt like we could count on our tight ends to do the job that they needed to do at a high level," Johnson said, via Sports Illustrated. "But Jamari has put in a ton of work, and he's really developed as a leader this offseason.
"He's a guy that he can coach the other guys on the field, make sure we're running the right routes or blocking the right guy. And that's credit to him and the work that he's put in."
Johnson will split targets with Evan Stewart and Dakorien Moore. The Ducks offense should be lethal in the passing game, but Johnson’s role as a run blocker could be what turns the offense into a true national championship contender in the CFP.
