2026 NFL Draft rankings: Kenyon Sadiq tops best TE prospects

[ASFN Admin]

Do you want an extra blocker on the offensive line or an extra pass-catcher for your quarterback? What about both?

Those are the types of questions NFL general managers are asking themselves while evaluating tight ends ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. As with every draft class, there are some tight end prospects who are great blockers, and there are some who are great at catching the ball. There are also a few who can do both at a high level.

Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq stands out for his outstanding athleticism and his excellent ability to both catch passes and block defenders. Ohio State's Max Klare is not as freakishly athletic, but he stands as another example of a tight end who can do both.

Throughout the 2026 draft class, there are a plethora of other tight end prospects that can do one or the other at a pro level. Several of them will become valuable pieces of an NFL offense in the years to come.

Here are the top tight end prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, ranked according to their standing on USA TODAY Sports' draft expert Ayrton Ostly's big board:

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2026 NFL Draft: Ranking top TE prospects​

1. Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon​

Scouting report: Like Love at running back, Sadiq is the runaway No. 1 tight end prospect in the class. The Ducks' tight end is a young prospect with plenty of development potential. He's an outstanding 6-foot-3, 245-pound athlete who can be a vertical threat in an NFL offense - as shown by his outstanding combine performance. His willingness to block should only improve his abilities over time to complete his game.

2. Max Klare, Ohio State​

Scouting report: May have a better NFL career after having to share targets with top-tier WR prospects in Columbus. Good size and explosive athleticism with the route-running acumen to generate separation consistently or find holes in zone coverage. Willing blocker.

3. Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt​

Scouting report: Elite athleticism for the position who can create after the catch. A sure-handed receiver quarterbacks can rely on. QB background shows up in his understanding of defenses. Good body control. An undersized frame can show up as a blocker and may be overwhelmed by bigger defenders.

4. Michael Trigg, Baylor​

Scouting report: Operates like an oversized wide receiver with the route knowledge and technique to attack opposing defenses. Explosive enough after the catch to earn extra yards on a regular basis. Drops were a problem in 2025 (seven on 85 targets). Inconsistent blocker. Operated almost exclusively from the slot. Will be a 24-year-old rookie.

5. Jack Endries, Texas​

Scouting report: Smaller frame means he lacks the strength to be a plus blocker. Makes up for it in the passing game with alignment versatility. Proven stressor to defenses vertically. Transitions from receiver to runner immediately. Can make plays at every level.

6. Joe Royer, Cincinnati​

Scouting report: Strong hands in a prototypical frame. Locates spots in zone coverage to exploit. Can work inline and is a plus pass protector in his blocking development. A limited athlete who thrives more on timing than pure athleticism.

7. Justin Joly, Houston​

Scouting report: Slightly undersized frame for the position but is a ball winner thanks to his strong hands. A "F" tight end type. Can run routes at all levels thanks to his body control from a basketball background. Route-running needs improvement as does his hand usage in blocking.

8. Sam Roush, Stanford​

Scouting report: One of the few tight ends in this class who is a plus blocker from day one. Very, very short arms may cause some trouble with blocking NFL assignments but he has the power and burst to get there. Transitions out of breaks well in route running. Not elusive in the open field but strong enough to break tackles against smaller defenders. Lacks production from college.

9. Eli Raridon, Notre Dame​

Scouting report: Ideal combination of tight end size and speed. A field-stretcher who is at home down the seam with great timing for breaking off his routes. Willing blocker who understands timing in the run game. Limited athlete when not going vertical. Not an after-catch threat in space.

10. Oscar Delp, Georgia​

Scouting report: Soft hands and great burst make him a movable tight end but short arms are a concern in blocking and contested catches.

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11. Nate Boerkircher, Iowa​

Scouting report: Very good blocker for this class with good hands and physicality to line up in multiple spots but unproven as a receiving weapon and older prospect (25 as a rookie).

12. Tanner Koziol, Houston​

Scouting report: Long, tall tight end with massive catch radius and soft, focused hands who lacks plus athleticism as well as mass and attitude for run blocking assignments.

13. Lake McRee, Southern California​

Scouting report: Speedy route runner with sure hands who can high-point the ball and is a willing (albeit inconsistent) blocker who can be slow with underneath routes. ACL tears in 2019 and 2023.

14. Will Kacmarek, Ohio State​

Scouting report: Athletic Y tight end with size, speed, and blocking acumen who was buried in the pass-catching hierarchy at Ohio State, so he's an unproven receiver with awkward footwork.

15. Josh Cuevas, Alabama​

Scouting report: Y tight end or H-back thanks to his tough blocking, good route running, and soft hands, but lacks ideal size and length as well as the athleticism to be an after-catch threat.


This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL Draft position rankings: Best available TE prospects

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