2026 NFL Draft: Why Broncos, Chiefs, and Patriots are eyeing top tight end prospects

The 2026 NFL Draft tight end class stands out for its depth, with 18 players carrying draftable grades on my board, the most at the position since 2022. The group is headlined by Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq, who some evaluators view as a top-15 prospect, but the strength of the class lies in its middle and late-round value, including sleepers like USC’s Lake McRee and Stanford’s Sam Roush. Several teams are expected to prioritize the position, most notably the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, and New England Patriots.

Top Player: Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq is widely regarded as the top tight end on nearly every NFL team’s draft board due to his athleticism and difficult matchup profile. He has the speed to stretch defenses vertically, the ability to create separation in coverage, and the agility to make tough catches while eluding linebackers in the open field. While he’s my highest-ranked tight end, I don’t rank him as highly as some analysts, like ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., who lists him 14th overall. At 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, he lacks the strength to be a consistent force as a run blocker, which makes me see him more as a late first-round pick.

Team that could take a tight end in the first round: Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos are one team that could target Kenyon Sadiq in the first round, as they received very little production from the tight end position this season outside of Evan Engram, with no other tight end topping 20 receptions. If Denver selects Sadiq at pick No. 30, he would immediately give the offense a reliable middle-of-the-field target and likely be a Day 1 upgrade over Engram, who is coming off the second-worst season of his career according to PFF.

Guy I Would Stand on the Table For: Michael Trigg, Baylor

One of my favorite tight ends in the 2026 NFL Draft is Baylor’s Michael Trigg, especially if he’s used as an H-back rather than a traditional in-line tight end. His athleticism stands out for a 6-foot-4, 240-pound player, and he consistently makes difficult catches by adjusting his body to the ball. Trigg is also dangerous after the catch, totaling 224 yards after the catch and breaking 17 tackles this season, the second-best mark among FBS tight ends according to PFF. He has the speed to stretch defenses as well, averaging 14 yards per reception, making him a legitimate weapon in the passing game. While he isn’t a dominant blocker, if used correctly, Trigg has the tools to be one of the more productive tight ends in this class for years to come.

Breakout Player: Dallen Bentley, Utah

One of the biggest breakout players in college football this season was Utah’s Dallen Bentley, who went from just three receptions over his first two seasons to 48 catches for 620 yards and six touchdowns. That jump in production earned him All-Big 12 honors and an invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl. As a pro prospect, Bentley shows impressive agility, consistently adjusting his body to make difficult catches, and he does an excellent job of catching the ball with his hands rather than letting it into his body, which helped him finish the season with zero drops.

Team that could take a tight end on Day 2: Kansas City Chiefs

It would be surprising if the Kansas City Chiefs didn’t address the tight end position within the first three rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. Travis Kelce is likely nearing the end of his career with only a season or two left, and his backup, Noah Gray, is coming off his least productive season since his rookie year. Because of that, Kansas City could look to add a long-term option on Day Two, with Baylor’s Michael Trigg and Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers standing out as strong schematic fits for the offense.

Biggest Risk: Oscar Delp, Georgia

Georgia tight end Oscar Delp is a high-upside prospect whose production has never matched his tools. He’s a crisp route runner with the speed to generate yards after the catch, averaging 7.8 YAC per reception this season, but he has never topped 24 receptions in a season and is coming off his least productive year in three seasons. Because of the gap between traits and output, I have a fifth-round grade on Delp, while outlets like Bleacher Report view him as a third-round prospect. Taking him that high would be a reach for an NFL team. 

Sleeper: Lake McRee, USC

USC’s Lake McRee is a player who should provide excellent value on Day 3. A traditional in-line tight end, he’s one of the best mid-range receiving options in the 2026 draft, catching 30 passes for 450 yards this past season with just two career drops. McRee is also a high-effort blocker, and with improved footwork, particularly keeping his feet active on contact, he can contribute to the run game as well. For these reasons, I have him graded as a fourth-round pick, three rounds higher than his consensus grade from NFL Mock Draft Database. 

Sleeper No.2: Sam Roush, Stanford

I normally limit myself to one sleeper per position, but this year’s tight end class offers two strong values in Lake McRee and Sam Roush. Roush has ideal in-line size at 6-foot-6, 259 pounds, as measured at the Senior Bowl, and shows good power as a blocker when his technique is sound, though he needs to do a better job of keeping his feet moving and sustaining blocks. He was also one of the most productive tight ends in the country, finishing sixth among FBS tight ends with 545 receiving yards and tying for the ACC lead with 49 receptions. For those reasons, I see Roush as a late third-round pick, well above his consensus undrafted free agent grade from NFL Mock Draft Database.

Team that could take a tight end on Day 3: New England Patriots

The New England Patriots have a total of eight picks on Day Three of the 2026 NFL Draft, and one of those picks will most likely be used on a tight end. This is due to the fact the only tight ends on New Englands roster that have caught a pass Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper are both over 30 and Hooper is sceduled to be a free agent. One tight end who could be a great fit is Arkansas’s Rohan Jones who could see time at both tight end and fullback for the Patriots.

Had a Disappointing Season: Miles Kitselman, Tennessee 

Tennessee tight end Miles Kitselman had a disappointing season, as his overall play declined despite recording 26 receptions for 253 yards in just ten games. The biggest concern was his drop rate, as he had five drops after not recording a single one in his first three seasons with the Vols, and his blocking also took a step back with his PFF grade falling from 71.4 in 2024 to 58.1 this past season. Despite those issues, I still have a fifth-round grade on Kitselman because of his ideal size, strength as an in-line blocker, and solid speed for a player of his build.

Overrated: Justin Joly, NC State

Justin Joly of NC State isn’t extremely overrated, but I have a significantly lower grade on him than some analysts, such as Draft Wire, which views him as a second-round prospect. I currently see Joly as a fifth-round pick due to his limited physical profile; at 6-foot-3 and 251 pounds, he lacks the size and strength to be an effective run blocker and doesn’t have the speed to consistently stretch defenses vertically. While he does bring reliable hands, the ability to catch in traffic, and strong body control on difficult receptions, the absence of elite athletic traits caps his upside and keeps him firmly in the Day 3 range.