Final 2026 NFL Draft TE Rankings: Is Kenyon Sadiq already elite?

The 2026 tight end class is led by one clear standout in Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq, who looks like a mid-first-round pick with elite upside. After him, there are several solid Day 2 options, including Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers and Stanford’s Sam Roush, followed by a deep group of developmental mid-to-late round prospects.

1. Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

The top tight end in the NFL Draft on all draft boards is Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq, who is a true matchup nightmare. This past season he caught 13 passes of 20-plus yards, which was second most among all FBS tight ends, and in 2024 he was the only tight end in the FBS to average more than 10 yards after catch per reception. What makes him such a dangerous weapon in the passing game is his elite 4.39 speed along with his overall athletic ability. Look for him to be a late first round pick.

2. Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt

The most productive tight end in college football last season was Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers, who led all tight ends with 769 receiving yards and 377 yards after the catch. As a receiver, he shows the speed to consistently separate in coverage and the agility to make tough catches. The biggest concern with his game is his blocking ability, which is below average due to a lack of strength. That lack of power and limited impact in the run game will likely cap his role at the next level.

3. Sam Roush, Stanford

A more traditional tight end and a sleeper in this year’s class is Stanford’s Sam Roush. At 6-foot-6, 267 pounds, he is one of the bigger tight ends in the class and he uses that size and natural strength to be one of the better blockers in the group. As a receiver, he is a solid mid-range target because of his frame and decent speed. The main issue in his game is the drops, as he had seven last season, and that will need to get cleaned up if he wants a bigger role at the next level.

4. Max Klare, Ohio State

Former Purdue tight end Max Klare transferred to Ohio State this season to become a more well-rounded tight end, and he did just that as his blocking improved greatly. He became a much more physical run blocker and saw his PFF run blocking grade jump nearly 18 points. His top trait is still his ability in the passing game, recording 94 receptions over the past two seasons and showing the ability to catch the ball in traffic. Look for him to be a good value pick in the third or fourth round.

5. Eli Raridon, Notre Dame

A player with the tools to be a good starter in the NFL, but still needing to polish his game, is Notre Dame’s Eli Raridon. He has a strong combination of size (6-6, 245), speed (4.62 40-yard dash), and strength (20 bench press reps) that will intrigue NFL scouts. However, he still needs to clean up his game as a receiver with crisper routes, and as a blocker he will lunge at times and lose technique. Don’t be surprised if he develops into a mid-round pick who turns into a starter after a couple of years.

2026 NFL Draft overall tight end rankings

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