Oregon TE Tempting Steelers in First Round of NFL Draft

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers have no clear option with their first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. For months, wide receiver felt like a lock, but now the prevailing sentiment is that the organization will take the best player on their draft board at a position of need.

Wide receiver is included in that list for the Steelers, but the positions of need extend to both sides of the ball. On offense, tight end, offensive tackle and quarterback stand out as additional needs to wide receiver. On defense, the team could use another safety, middle linebacker, and nose tackle.

All of those positions are on the Steelers' board, but exiting the recent NFL Owners' Meetings, it's become apparent that this organization values some players much higher than other franchises do. An example of that is Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. He is a player who might just be too tempting for the Steelers to pass up if he falls to them with the 21st pick, and the two parties could be a perfect match.

Why Sadiq is Such an Impressive Prospect

The 6'3", 245-pound tight end stands head and shoulders above the rest of the tight ends in the 2026 NFL Draft. There's a reason why many view him as a top-10 pick in this class. During his time with the Ducks, Sadiq separated himself as a dynamic playmaker.

Combining his size with a rare blend of speed and burst, Sadiq has the toolkit of a wide receiver in a massive frame. He proved just how fast he was in every game, but it became official when he posted an impressive 40-yard dash time of 4.39 seconds at the NFL Draft Combine.

The Steelers have taken notice of Sadiq's performance and production over the 2025 campaign, and it might just be the perfect addition to the team's reinvigorated passing attack. Under new head coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio, the team hopes to implement a West Coast-style offense. Sadiq's game-breaking speed and glue-like hands would blend perfectly into what McCarthy and company aim to do in 2026.

Aug 30, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq (18) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Montana State Bobcats at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Is Sadiq A Real Option for Steelers?

The Steelers are interested in Sadiq, as is the entire NFL. It's not just speculation, either. In a recent article from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac, he mentioned the Oregon tight end multiple times when discussing first-round targets. PennLive's Nick Farabaugh mentioned Sadiq as a potential target also during a brief appearance on the All Steelers Talk podcast.

That also aligns with the messaging from McCarthy and general manager Omar Khan. They've maintained a desire to add the best player available at a position of need, and that is their approach with all 12 picks at the upcoming draft. It's unlikely that Sadiq falls outside the first 15 picks, but if Sadiq is available at 21, it's clear he's a tempting yet realistic option for the Steelers.

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