A mock draft projecting the Chargers to take tight end Kenyon Sadiq in the first round raises eyebrows. While his talent is undeniable, the team’s bigger needs in the trenches and last year’s pick of Oronde Gadsden make the decision far from straightforward.
Every year, there’s at least one mock draft pick that makes you stop and think. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com did just that with his latest NFL mock draft, where he had the Chargers drafting yet another tight end with their first pick. At first glance, it feels surprising. Tight end doesn’t seem like the most pressing need for a team with clear holes in the trenches. But the more you think about it, the more complicated the conversation becomes. Sadiq isn’t just any tight end prospect. He’s widely considered the top tight end in the 2026 draft class and a legitimate first-round talent. He led all college tight ends with eight touchdown catches last season and finished with 51 receptions for 560 yards, showcasing his ability to be a difference-maker in the passing game. His athleticism and versatility stand out, as he can line up in the slot, out wide or inline, and his 4.55 speed at 245 pounds makes him a matchup nightmare. In today’s NFL, that kind of weapon can transform an offense.
From a pure talent standpoint, you can absolutely justify the pick. Pairing Sadiq with Justin Herbert could give the Chargers another dynamic playmaker over the middle, something that has been missing since the prime years of Antonio Gates. Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel’s scheme could also emphasize versatility and two-tight-end sets, making a player like Sadiq especially valuable.
But this is where things get tricky.
The Chargers just drafted Oronde Gadsden last year, and he showed enough promise to believe he can be part of the team’s long-term plans. Investing another first-round pick at the same position would raise legitimate questions about roster construction. It’s not that you can’t have multiple good tight ends — the best offenses often do — but using premium draft capital on overlapping roles is hard to justify when other areas need immediate attention.
The biggest issue is obvious: the trenches.
Most people assume the Chargers will target either the offensive line or defensive line in the first round, and it’s hard to argue against that logic. Protecting Herbert should always be priority number one. We’ve seen what happens when he’s under constant pressure — the offense becomes inconsistent, and the entire team suffers. On the defensive side, adding a dominant lineman could help add to a unit looking to add depth to an already strong lineup.
Even some draft analysts who like Sadiq acknowledge that line play is a bigger priority for the Chargers. One mock draft projection noted that while Sadiq would be a strong fit offensively, protecting Herbert and strengthening the trenches should remain the team’s main focus. That’s the reality of building a sustainable contender.
That doesn’t mean drafting Sadiq would be a mistake. Far from it. If the Chargers believe he’s a special talent — the kind of player who changes how defenses operate — then taking him could elevate the offense to another level. Elite teams don’t just draft for need; they draft for impact.
Still, when you look at the roster as a whole, it’s difficult to see tight end as the top priority. The Chargers have too many holes in critical areas to ignore. Offensive line depth, interior defensive line help and overall physicality are bigger concerns right now.
In the end, it comes down to philosophy. Do the Chargers draft for need, or do they take the best player available?
Kenyon Sadiq might be good enough to force that debate. But unless the Chargers address their biggest weaknesses in free agency, it would be surprising to see them go tight end in the first round — even if the talent is tempting.