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Josh Frey’s 2026 NFL Draft Guide: Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq

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Dec 7, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq (18) reacts after a touchdown during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 2024 Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

The 2026 NFL Draft is often viewed as one where teams will end up focusing more on the floor of a player rather than the ceiling.

The consensus is that there aren’t many league-wrecking prospects in this class, but that point of view might need to be thrown out the window with Kenyon Sadiq. The tight end is dripping with potential to become a star at the next level.

Background

2026 NFL Draft Kenyon Sadiq
Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq (18) warms up before the game against the James Madison Dukes at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Statistics

  • 2023: 5 receptions, 24 yards, 1 TD (14 games)
  • 2024: 24 receptions, 308 yards, 2 TDs (14 games)
  • 2025: 51 receptions, 560 yards, 8 TDs (14 games)

Measurables

  • Height: 6’3″
  • Weight: 241
  • Hand Size: 10″
  • Arm Length: 31 1/2″
  • 40-Yard Dash: 4.39
  • 10-Yard Split: 1.54
  • 20-Yard Shuttle: N/A
  • Vertical: 43.5″
  • Broad Jump: 11’1″
  • 3 Cone: N/A
  • Bench: 26 reps

Sadiq spent the first two years of his collegiate career as a developmentary reserve in the Oregon Ducks program before bursting onto the scene as one of the best receiving tight ends in the country in 2025. Now, he’s hoping to turn that production into a high end draft status this spring.

Strengths

Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq in 2025
Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq (18) looks on before the game against the James Madison Dukes at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Sadiq is a very clean receiving tight end prospect. He can run just about any route whether it be a go route breaking away from defenders in the secondary, or he can intricately break in and out of his routes with buttery smooth foot speed and balance.

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His NFL Combine performance is a testimony to that with numbers that are virtually identical to what Vernon Davis accomplished at the event though Davis did have 13 pounds on Sadiq.

Not only is Sadiq a very solid receiver, he is an impressive player in run blocking as well. He doesn’t take those snaps off and is capable of planting himself and holding his own against defenders. His strong hands are capable of fighting off rush moves, and those hands also help him hold onto the football through collisions at the point of the catch.

Weaknesses

Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq hauls in a touchdown catch as the Oregon Ducks host the USC Trojans on Nov. 22, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

While Sadiq is plenty capable of blocking while playing along the line of scrimmage, he isn’t exactly the player you want taking lead blocks down the field in the second and third levels of the defense. He seems to mistime himself or hold back some contact on those blocks, allowing defenders to shed fairly easily.

Drops were also an issue for Sadiq in 2025. On 67 targets, he had six drops. In on target passes, he had a drop rate of 10.5%.

Finally, while he certainly is a willing blocker, a 241-pound frame could cause some issues in that department at the NFL level.

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2026 NFL Draft Projection

Nov 22, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq (18) celebrates scoring a touch down during the first half against the Southern California Trojans at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
  • NFL Draft Projection: Mid First Round
  • Team Fits: Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins

Sadiq has a few things to clean up before he becomes a star at the NFL level, but all the potential in the world is there. He has the upside of being an All-Pro tight end a few years down the line, and TE-needy teams in the first round should jump at the chance to pick him.


Editor’s Note: Statistics from Pro Football Focus helped with this article.

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Josh Frey is a senior writer at both PurplePTSD.com and VikingsTerritory.com, with a fascination for the NFL Draft. To … More about Josh Frey

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Report: How much Liverpool would need to pay if they’re to beat Man Utd to signing of ‘young jewel’

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A fresh report has indicated how much Liverpool would need to pay if they’re to beat fellow suitors Manchester United to the signing of a higly coveted Bundesliga winger.

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The Reds have been heavily linked with a swoop for Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig, with a trusted source in David Lynch outlining that the Anfield hierarchy are ‘keeping an eye on‘ the 19-year-old, while German insider Christian Falk has gone as far as to claim that an offer is already being planned.

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Liverpool learn Yan Diomande asking price

According to Football Insider, the Red Bull-owned club are ready to be met with ‘big offers’ for the teenage forward, with the northwestern rivals preparing to accelerate their interest in him.

The Bundesliga side are reluctant to sell the Ivory Coast international but have accepted that they would cash in at the right price, with Liverpool and Manchester United reportedly needing to stump up a bid of around £80m if they’re to snap up Diomande in the summer.

Diomande has been outperforming Liverpool’s starting wingers

Hailed as a ‘young jewel’ by RB Leipzig managing director for sport Marcel Schafer (Sky Sports), the teenager hit double figures for goals this season when netting his team’s winner against Hamburg last weekend.

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The 19-year-old – who’s capable of playing on either flank – has a higher goal return than both Cody Gakpo and Mo Salah in the current campaign, despite playing fewer minutes than the two Liverpool wingers.

The aforementioned Lynch wrote this week that a move for Diomande would make ‘a lot of sense’ given how the Reds’ wide attackers have endured a significant drop-off in output from last term, and even Arne Slot admitted that his team struggled in those positions in their defeat to Wolves on Tuesday night (David Lynch on Substack).

RB Leipzig are in line to turn a massive profit on a player they signed from Leganes for just £17m last summer (Football Insider), and paying upwards of £80m for a youngster who’s still inexperienced at a high level would certainly represent a massive gamble.

However, the Ivorian’s G/A figures from the current campaign (10 goals, seven assists) would indicate that he has the end product to go with his eye-catching talent, and Liverpool mustn’t stand idly by and give their arch-rivals a free run at his signature.

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Detroit Pistons vs San Antonio Spurs Preview: Starting Lineups Tonight, Betting Tips and Game Prediction (Mar. 5)

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The Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs lock horns in a regular-season game at the Frost Bank Center on Thursday, with tipoff at 8 p.m. EST. It is the second matchup between the two teams this season, with the Spurs winning the first encounter 114-103.

The Pistons suffered a 113-109 loss in their previous game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday. They no longer hold the best record in the league, but remain in first place in the Eastern Conference standings with a 45-15 record.

Meanwhile, the Spurs destroyed the Philadelphia 76ers 131-91 in their previous outing on Tuesday. San Antonio remains in second place in the Western Conference standings with a 44-17 record.

Detroit Pistons vs. San Antonio Spurs Preview, Starting Lineups Tonight, Betting Tips and Game Prediction

Detroit Pistons vs. San Antonio Spurs Betting Tips and Odds

Moneyline: Pistons (+132), Spurs (-156)

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Spread: Pistons +3.5 (-111), Spurs -3.5 (-111)

Total over/under o/u: Pistons o228.5 (-111), Spurs u228.5 (-111)

Editor’s note: Odds might change closer to tipoff.

Betting Tips

  • Victor Wembanyama is expected to record over 3.5 blocks.
  • Cade Cunningham is expected to record under 23.5 points.
  • Jalen Duren is expected to record over 11.5 rebounds.

Detroit Pistons vs. San Antonio Spurs Preview

Cade Cunningham has been hot and cold of late, which has adversely affected the Pistons. Against the Cavaliers, Cunningham scored 10 points on 16 shots, while turning the ball over five times. Detroit needs its best player to raise his level and bounce back with an MVP-level performance against the Spurs.

Jalen Duren has been the Pistons’ best player recently, averaging 25.5 points and 13.7 rebounds on 64.4% shooting. He enters this matchup after winning the Eastern Conference Player of the Week award. The Pistons need him to win his matchup against Victor Wembanyama, just like he did when the two teams met last month.

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Meanwhile, the Spurs will face a much stronger challenge against the Pistons than they did against the Sixers on Tuesday. San Antonio made Philadelphia look like a G League team and shot over 55% from the field, including 40% from beyond the arc.

The starters delivered a rollicking performance as usual, and the bench contributed handsomely as well, with rookie Dylan Harper putting on a show off the bench. The young guard made eight of his 11 shots en route to 22 points. Keldon Johnson scored 12 off the bench, helping the Spurs record the most dominant win of their campaign.

Detroit Pistons vs. San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineups Tonight

Detroit Pistons starting lineup

PG: Cade Cunningham, SG: Duncan Robinson, SF: Tobias Harris, PF: Ausar Thompson, C: Jalen Duren.

San Antonio Spurs starting lineup

PG: De’Aaron Fox, SG: Stephon Castle, SF: Julian Champagnie, PF: Devin Vassell, C: Victor Wembanyama.

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Detroit Pistons vs. San Antonio Spurs Prediction

The Spurs are at home and already beaten the Pistons once this season. San Antonio would be confident of getting the job done once again and we expect Wembanyama to lead his team to yet another victory.

Final score prediction: Spurs win 111-105.