Kenyon Sadiq ranked No. 1 tight end for 2026 NFL Draft

The 2026 NFL draft is roughly 10 months away, but part of the process for scouts and NFL teams is establishing a preseason list of top players to watch.

ESPN draft experts Matt Miller and Jordan Reid shared some insight into their thinking by releasing their top five players at each position.

For Reid, the No. 1 tight end in next year's draft is Oregon Ducks star Kenyon Sadiq, while Miller listed him at No. 3.

"His touches were limited last season behind eventual second-round pick Terrance Ferguson, with Sadiq finishing with 24 catches for 308 yards and two touchdowns," Reid wrote. "But he showed glimpses of his potential, most notably his route running and his movement skills after the catch. With Ferguson off to the NFL and leading returning receiver Evan Stewart likely out for the season with a knee injury, Sadiq will step into a marquee role." 

Coming out of Skyline (Idaho) in the class of 2023, Sadiq was a four-star recruit, rated the nation's No. 79 overall prospect and No. 4 athlete. 

But even that didn't do him justice compared to some of the most lofty hype.

There were a small collection of scouts and evaluators who had seen Sadiq in person who believed - rightly, as it turns out - that he had the athleticism, size and soft hands to develop into a future high NFL draft pick.

Reid's point is valid.

Last year, Sadiq primarily served in a "gimmicky" role in the offense while working in behind Terrance Ferguson and Patrick Herbert.

But even in limited touches Sadiq flashed that high-end upside, hurdling defenders during the season for jaw-dropping highlights and scoring two touchdowns against Penn State in the Big Ten Championship.

Even prior to Evan Stewart's leg injury, Sadiq was viewed within the program as a potential go-to option in the Oregon offense this fall.

With Stewart out, there's a glaring spot to fill - "go-to pass-catcher in Oregon's prolific offense."

That could very well be the former Idaho standout.

It would not be a complete shock to see Sadiq flirt with tripling last year's numbers (24 receptions, 308 yards and two touchdowns). 

And an early selection in the 2026 NFL Draft would be sure to follow.