Ever since he broke out in the 2024 Big Ten title game, catching two touchdown passes and hurdling a defender on one of them, Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq was viewed as a potential first-round pick when he decided to declare for the NFL draft.
After a standout junior season in which he was named a Mackey Award finalist and led all tight ends with eight receiving touchdowns, the time has come for Sadiq. With quarterback Dante Moore and defensive tackle A’Mauri Washington returning to Eugene for one more season, the Ducks’ former tight end is likely to be the first Oregon player off the board in the first round.
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While there’s still a long ways to go until night one of the draft, with the NFL Combine and pro days coming up soon, Sadiq had been expected to go in the upper half of the first round as the top-rated tight end on the board.
Teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No. 15 and the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 9 had been floated as potential landing spots, as they have veteran tight ends but could use a young, athletic pass-catcher in the mold of Sadiq to boost their offense even further.
But in ESPN’s latest mock draft, crafted by draft analyst Matt Miller, Sadiq falls past both the Buccaneers and Chiefs. He even falls out of the teens and all the way to No. 23, where the Philadelphia Eagles happily scoop him up — also with a veteran tight end on the roster.
“The Eagles have a tough call at tight end, with Dallas Goedert recently turning 31 and about to hit the void years of his contract,” Miller wrote. “Even if the Eagles decide to restructure Goedert’s deal and keep him for 2026, they’re known for drafting for future need. Sadiq is a sudden and productive F-tight end prospect but lacks elite size at 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds. His run-after-catch skills are elite, and he’s a proven red zone menace, but his drop issues (six in 2025) will be heavily considered. Sadiq is the best tight end in the class and would be an ideal middle-of-the-field playmaker for Jalen Hurts.”
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The Eagles’ offense was a mess last season, with drama surrounding wide receiver AJ Brown and the pass game as a whole. In Sadiq, they’d bring in some fresh blood, young talent and an absolute playmaker — something they could miss if they decide to part ways with Brown this offseason.
The former Oregon tight end showcased himself as a player who puts his head and works during his three seasons in Eugene, and carrying that over to Philadelphia would be needed considering the harsh fan base.
Of course, this all hinges on if the 22 teams prior to the Eagles passing on a tight end who is expected to be a difference-maker at the next level as a matchup nightmare and a solid run blocker. Still a lot of time, but it’s hard to see that many teams passing up on Sadiq’s talent.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq falls in ESPN’s latest 2026 mock draft
