2026 NFL Draft Rookie Tight End Rankings Featuring Kenyon Sadiq

A full breakdown of the 2026 NFL Draft tight end class, highlighting top prospects like Kenyon Sagiq and Eli Stowers with scouting insights and fantasy impact.

Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq (18) looks on before the game against the James Madison Dukes at Autzen Stadium. | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Colston Loveland (1.10) and Tyler Warren (1.14) were first-round tight ends last season. They finished as top 12 fantasy players in PPR formats, along with Harold Fannin (3.67 – 6th best TE ~ 72/731/6 on 107 targets). Loveland caught 58 of his 82 targets for 713 yards and six touchdowns (165.10 fantasy points). Warren (76/817/4 on 112 targets) had the best tight end opportunity, resulting in 188.50 fantasy points. 

Here’s a look at the top five tight ends in the 2026 NFL Draft:

1 – Kenyon Sagiq, Oregon

Sagiq comes off his best season (51 catches for 560 yards and eight touchdowns) while giving offensive coordinators plenty of reasons to fight for him in this year’s draft. He ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at the NFL combine while grading well in the bench press (26 reps of 225 lbs.). Sagiq brings the frame (6’3” and 240 lbs.) of a big wide receiver, but gained only 11.0 yards per catch in 2025. Oregon gave him a limited role in 2024 (24/308/2 with five rushes for 24 yards).

When watching Sagiq’s highlights, his athleticism jumps off the page. He’ll catch many off-track throws, even in the heat of the battle. His skill set and speed will redefine the tight end position. Sagiq will test a defense at all three levels, and he runs with a running back mentality with the ball in his hands. I expect an NFL offense to get him the ball at a high rate to take advantage of his strength and open-field running. Even with a physical presence, Sagiq will have his hands full when asked to block a top pass rusher on the outside. He’ll have a massive edge in the passing game against tight ends and safeties.

In NFL mock drafts, Sagiq is projected to be a mid-first-round pick.

2 – Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers (9) makes a catch as he warms up before playing against Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Mark Zaleski / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The New Mexico State Aggies gave Stowers quarterback snaps in 2023, but he finished the year third on the team in catches (35) and receiving yards (366) with a pair of touchdowns. Stowers also had 28 rushing attempts for 108 yards and two scores. After transferring to Vanderbilt, his tight end production reached new heights in back-to-back seasons (49/638/5 and 62/769/4). He turned in two beast showings (7/146/2 and 12/122) late in 2025 against Texas and Auburn.

Stowers is an undersized tight end (6’4” and 240 lbs.) who brings plus speed (4.51 40-yard dash). His limited receiving experience leaves some holes in his game that should improve with more snaps on the field and practice. He must improve his route running and add some nastiness to his game to fight off physical defenders in the heat of his pass patterns and in jump ball situations. Stowers has a built-in edge after the catch due to his experience running the ball from the quarterback position. His blocking skills need plenty of work.

I expect him to move up draft boards, with NFL teams looking to invest in his offensive upside.  

3 – Max Klare, Ohio State

After his best season in 2024 (51/685/4) over 12 games at Purdue, Klare took a bag of money to play for conference rival Ohio State in his final college season. He caught 43 passes for 448 yards and two touchdowns, while ranking third on their receiving depth chart behind Jeremiah Smith (87/1,243/12) and Carnell Tate (51/875/9).

Klare brings a standard tight end profile to the NFL. He’ll have success testing defenses at the second and third level on seam routes. Offense will look for him over the short areas of the field on crossing patterns to create mismatches vs. linebackers and yards after the catch. He runs good routes while needing some work on his hands under duress.  Klare must get stronger to improve his blocking skills. 

I view him as a depth receiving for an NFL team, but not a difference-maker. Klare projects to be a late second-round draft pick.

4 – Sam Roush, Stanford

Stanford tight end Sam Roush (TE21) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Over the past three seasons, Roush has had an active tight end role for Stanford, leading to growth in his game (28/288, 40/334/2, and 49/545/2). He only had four career touchdowns over 48 games while averaging 10.1 yards per catch. After a slow start over his first four games in 2025 (7/87/1), Roush flashed in two other games (8/89 and 8/104), but failed to reach the end zone in his final seven starts.

He comes to the NFL with league-average tight end speed (4.7 40-yard dash) while bringing a more rounded tight end profile (6’7” and 265 lbs.). Roush plays with strength, highlighted by his 25 reps of 225 lbs. at the NFL combine. His receiving ceiling is limited due to questionable route running and expected struggles when facing one-on-one coverage by top defenders. NFL teams will invest in his blocking skill while understanding that any receiving success is a bonus. Roush will break some tackles, and his physical style helps in value with the ball in his hands.

5 – Michael Trigg, Baylor

The path to the NFL for Trigg took three stops at the college level. After minimal chances at USC (7/109/1) and Ole Miss (17/156/3 and 4/56/1), his game finally showed life over two seasons at Baylor (30/395/3 and 50/694/6). A broken collarbone knocked him out of action in 2022, followed by a decision to leave Mississippi in 2023 in September after playing three games. Trigg had one impact game (8/155) last season.

I didn’t expect Trigg to be treated as a tight end by an NFL franchise. He’ll work on the outside on many plays as a big wideout (6’4” and 245 lbs.), where his speed and hands will create winning catches downfield. Trigg will catch off-target throws, with a feel for daylight on delay patterns at the line of scrimmage. His route running needs work and more commitment. Trigg will be an asset at the goal line due to his ability to beat one-on-one coverage on jump balls or with cuts in the middle of the field. Any value in his blocking would be a bonus, but not a reason to draft him.