Kenyon Sadiq Meets Travis Kelce as NFL Visits Fuel Draft Buzz

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.

kenyon sadiq Oregon Ducks nfl draft visit kansas city chiefs travis kelce bri amaranthus philadelphia eagles dan lanning | Oregon Ducks on SI Darby Winter

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.

The Big Ten Tight End of the Year, Sadiq had a unique experience while in Kansas City.

Kenyon Sadiq's Kansas City Chiefs Visit

During his visit with the Chiefs, Sadiq found himself face-to-face with one of the greatest tight ends to ever play in the NFL, Travis Kelce.

“It was awesome,” Sadiq told Amaranthus. “Just kind of a moment of realization… like, this is the NFL.”

Feb. 12, 2023: Andy Reid and Travis Kelce celebrate the Kansas City Chiefs' win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. | Michael Chow / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Entering his 14th season in the NFL, Kelce had just finished signing his contract extension when the two crossed paths, creating an unexpected but meaningful moment for the rising prospect from Idaho. Most NFL players are out of the building for the offseason but the Chiefs coaches wanted to introduce Sadiq and Kelce, since he happened to be in the building.

“He’s a super down-to-earth person,” Sadiq said. “He’s not going to try to ego you by any means… I think that's pretty rare, especially being the celebrity or caliber that he's at. It was really cool."

The interaction offered a glimpse into the standard Sadiq is chasing in the pros and potentially the role he could one day fill. Kansas City, armed with multiple first-round picks, looms as a fascinating potential landing spot for a tight end with Sadiq’s skill set.

Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq (TE23) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

“It’s awesome being in that conversation,” he said. “There’s a reputation there.”

Sadiq got to chat with Chiefs coach Andy Reid in a discussion that Sadiq described as "chopping it up" as the two discussed what it was like for Sadiq to grow up in Idaho.

Kenyon Sadiq got to meet Travis Kelce right after he signed his contract extension in Kansas City.

“He’s a super down-to-earth person… I think that's pretty rare, especially being the celebrity or caliber that he's at."

MORE: https://t.co/vQkYqRX9LE pic.twitter.com/VS0QROlRd1
— Bri Amaranthus (@BriAmaranthus) April 1, 2026

Led by Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs offense has heavily involved tight end usage. Learning behind Kelce, the three-time Super Bowl champion and eventual Pro Football Hall of Famer, makes Kansas City an ideal landing spot for Sadiq.

Fun fact, Oregon coach Dan Lanning is a big Chiefs fan.

However, Sadiq will be excited for whichever teams drafts him. When he hears his name called in the 2026 NFL Draft, he revealed to Amaranthus what that moment might feel like.

“'lt'll be so special. Something that you literally work your whole life for. I've been playing football since before I can even remember. So, getting to this point is just pretty surreal,“ Sadiq said.

More Than Just Speed

Sadiq turned heads at the combine in Indianapolis with a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, breaking the record for fastest ever recorded by a tight end. But he’s quick to emphasize that his game goes far beyond straight-line speed. That versatility is what separates him in a deep tight end class.

"Versatility is what I really bring and understanding the full offense and impacting it in every way I can," Sadiq said. "If it's an explosive pass game or a dominant run game, I think I'm going to be a contributor in all those phases... I’ve really focused on being able to do everything so I’m not a liability on certain downs.”

At Oregon, Sadiq lined up in the slot, in-line, out wide, and excelled in pass protection. He creates mismatches and is built for where the NFL is going.

Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq and reporter Bri Amaranthus

One of the biggest misconceptions he continues to fight is his blocking ability. It is a head-scratching storyline for anyone who has watched him play, as he often put defenders on their backs as a lead blocker during his time with the Ducks.

“A lot of people still say that I’m not a good blocker,” he said. “But I think I’m one of the best blocking tight ends in this class. That's something I pride myself on."

While his athletic frame jumps off the page at 6-foot-5, 245 pounds, the questions that stand out from NFL teams during his visits and interviews is about his football IQ.

“They want to see how much I know,” Sadiq said. “They want to see how my brain thinks and processes information."

NFL Legacy Loading

Sadiq is emerging as a predicted first-round pick, with much thanks to his versatility, impressive production, record-setting NFL combine performance and NFL-ready size. While Kelce has changed how people view the tight end position, Sadiq hopes to continue to help push that legacy.

“I'm inspired to be like those guys like Travis Kelce and George Kittle. Those guys do a phenomenal job. So I want to get to that point and try and push it further as well," Sadiq said.

Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq hurdles over Penn State cornerback Audavion Collins as the Oregon Ducks face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sept. 27, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

As for the other teams that Sadiq has visited: the Eagles have the No. 23 pick, the Browns select at No. 6 and No. 24, and the Vikings have the No. 18 pick. It is common that a prospect gets picked by a team that he hasn't visited though, so the possibilities are endless for Sadiq.

“Obviously there's only so much you can control," Sadiq told Amaranthus. "I think I've done a great job in this process of controlling what I can control. Going to one interview at a time, running one 40-yard dash at a time.”

Sadiq won't be at the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, and plans to be with his family and friends at an Air BNB in Idaho. He will reach out and invite Lanning and Oregon offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer.

"Maybe we will play some games, make it fun. I didn't really want to be in a stressful environment by any means,” Sadiq said.

If Sadiq is selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, he will become the first Duck tight end to do so since Russ Francis was selected at No. 16 overall in the 1975 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. Sadiq’s production at Oregon Ducks football backs up the growing draft buzz.

In 2025, he set the program’s single-season record for receptions by a tight end with 51 while adding eight touchdown catches, tied for the second-most by a Ducks tight end in a season. His 560 receiving yards ranked fourth in program history at the position, and his impact earned him recognition as a finalist for the John Mackey Award, given annually to the nation’s top tight end.

From Idaho to Eugene to shaking hands with Kelce, Sadiq is watching his hard work and dedication turn into his NFL dreams. Whether its Kansas City, Philadelphia or whoever... the NFL fit is easy to envision for the versatile, explosive tight end that will forever be a fan-favorite at Autzen Stadium.

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