The Minnesota Vikings own the draft’s 18th overall pick next week, and while many onlookers don’t expect them to draft a tight end, Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq might be too hard to ignore, especially if Minnesota embraces the popular “best player available” philosophy. And wouldn’t you know it? The Vikings — you guessed it — formally met with Sadiq.

Sadiq’s profile lines up with a real first-round debate for Minnesota.

Minnesota meets with many players before a draft, but a healthy faction of eager fans will highlight the Sadiq conversation.

Sadiq’s Skill Set Could Tempt Minnesota at No. 18

The Vikings have never drafted a tight end in the 1st Round.

Sadiq Meets with Vikings

Most fans assumed the Vikings would do their homework on Sadiq — how could they not? — and thanks to some recent reporting, that indeed happened.

SI.com‘s Bri Amaranthus wrote earlier this month, “The fastest tight end in NFL Combine history is gaining serious momentum at the right time. Former Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq has quietly become one of the most intriguing and versatile prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, and his recent visits are only adding to the buzz.”

“Sadiq confirmed to Oregon Ducks on SI reporter Bri Amaranthus that he has visited the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles with additional visits scheduled to the Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings. For a player who prides himself on versatility and football intelligence, the interest from multiple playoff-caliber organizations with first round selections speaks volumes.”

Sadiq ran a 4.39 forty at the Combine in February.

The Scouting Report

Standing 6’3″ and weighing 245 pounds, Sadiq is a physically imposing player whose age, while not yet 22, is noteworthy. In 42 games at Oregon, he amassed 80 receptions for 892 yards and 11 touchdowns. His athleticism is evident; Oregon utilized him on kick returns in both 2023 and 2024, demonstrating their confidence in his abilities.

Sadiq’s versatility is the source of his 1st-Round buzz. He has shown the capacity to manage a substantial role in the passing attack and is also a willing and able blocker for both running backs and quarterbacks. Tight ends with this comprehensive skillset usually need considerable refinement, but Sadiq is further along in his development.

The Ringer‘s Todd McShay on Sadiq’s scouting report: “He’s an effective lead blocker who can climb to the second level, square defenders, and show good power when aligned at fullback or working in space. As an in-line blocker, he latches on, works up to linebackers, and fights to stay in front of edge defenders, consistently blocking to the echo of the whistle.”

“Sadiq has a lean build and shorter arms, and edge defenders can overpower him at times in the run game. He primarily aligned in line and in the slot in college, with additional snaps in the backfield and out wide. Sadiq is by far the best tight end prospect in this year’s class, and he grades out as a first-round pick.”

Sadiq would also open up the Vikings’ offense, as Kevin O’Connell’s offense doesn’t necessarily target WR3s as often as other teams’. In fact, Sadiq, in time, would command a WR2-WR3 target load. That’s the goal.

McShay added, “The upside is obvious, and he’s coming off a productive 2025, but his tape is closer to good than elite. He would have ranked behind Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland had he been in the 2025 class. Sadiq isn’t nearly as polished or as productive as Raiders 2024 13th pick Brock Bowers was coming out of Georgia.”

“But he runs better, and he has a similar skill set. If a team uses him the right way, he can make an immediate impact as a receiver and develop into a difference maker at tight end.”

T.J. Hockenson’s Revised Contract

Some Vikings fans believed Hockenson could be cut this offseason, mainly because of his expensive price tag and the fact that Minnesota used him as a blocking tight end in 2025. That theory was not correct, but Minnesota reworked Hockenson’s deal, instituting a small paycut and making him a free agent in 2027.

Therefore, 2026 may be Hockenson’s final season in Minnesota. Adding Sadiq plans for the future, which is what the draft is for in the first place.

Just because Hockenson is on tap for TE1 duty in 2026 doesn’t mean that Sadiq can’t be the pick. Don’t fall victim to that thinking.

Putting ‘Best Player Available’ to the Test

Earlier this month, interim general manager Rob Brzezinski expressed his commitment to the “best player available” mentality in the draft, and if he means business, Sadiq may be his guy.

Sadiq may not make it past the Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the draftboard, but if he does, Minnesota must seriously contemplate rolling with him. There’s a chance that the Duck becomes a total game-changer in the NFL. He’d be attached to the Vikings’ roster for the next half-decade at minimum.

If the goal is to pick the best football player on the board, Sadiq cannot be ignored at No. 18.

He won’t turn 22 until next offseason.