Jets TE Kenyon Sadiq Undergoes ‘Minor’ Hernia Surgery, Expected Back For Camp
A little over a month into his NFL career, Jets tight end Kenyon Sadiq has already undergone his first surgery as a pro. Sadiq had “minor” hernia surgery, head coach Aaron Glenn told reporters on Thursday. Glenn expects Sadiq to be ready for the start of training camp on July 28.
The Jets spent the 16th overall pick in last month’s draft on Sadiq, but Glenn revealed they knew beforehand that he would need this surgery. The issue bothered Sadiq for some of his final season at Oregon in 2025, but he fought through it to pile up 51 catches, 560 yards and eight touchdowns in 14 games. Sadiq’s production was good enough for Big Ten Tight End of the Year honors and a second-team All-America nod.
A few weeks after his college career ended, Sadiq showed off his athletic prowess at the Combine in February and cemented himself as a first-rounder. The 6-foot-3, 245-pounder ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, the fastest among tight ends since at least 2003, and led his position in the 10-yard split. He also ranked second among TEs in the vertical jump, broad jump and bench press. If Sadiq wasn’t at full strength, it makes his excellent Combine performance all the more impressive.
Sadiq should be an important part of the Jets’ Frank Reich-coordinated offense as a rookie, though that’s assuming he does not miss valuable time in camp. The 21-year-old looks like the best receiver in a tight end group that also includes 2025 second-rounder Mason Taylor, who performed well during a 44-catch rookie campaign, and blocking specialist Jeremy Ruckert. The Jets also drafted another first-round pass catcher, wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., at No. 30 overall. With Sadiq and Cooper joining holdovers in Taylor, star receiver Garrett Wilson, wideout Adonai Mitchell and dual-threat running back Breece Hall, the team clearly has more viable options in the passing game than it fielded during a 3-14 season in 2025.
Panthers To Hold Competition At LT, C
The Panthers lost Ikem Ekwonu to a torn patellar tendon in a wild-card round defeat to the Rams in January, adding left tackle to their list of needs entering the offseason. General manager Dan Morgan has made notable additions at the position since then, having picked up Rasheed Walker in free agency and drafted Monroe Freeling with the 19th overall pick.
Appearing on NFL Network on Tuesday, Morgan revealed Walker and Freeling will compete to open the season as the Panthers’ starting left tackle (via Michael Baca of NFL.com).
“In terms of Monroe (Freeling), he’ll compete with Rasheed (Walker),” Morgan said. “We were lucky to get him in free agency, another guy we think highly about, a veteran who’s played a lot of games in this league. We feel like we have a lot of optionality there and looking forward to seeing those guys compete.”
The Panthers brought in Walker on a $4MM base deal, a surprisingly low amount for a 26-year-old with significant starting left tackle experience. Walker was Green Bay’s full-time choice on the blind side from 2023-25, during which he made 48 starts. Now entering a second straight contract year, Walker will have a chance to boost his stock, but he will have to beat out Freeling.
Although Carolina was a widely predicted mock draft landing spot for Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman or tight end Kenyon Sadiq, it prioritized tackle over those two positions in the first round. The Panthers had more interest in Thieneman than Sadiq, according to Joe Person of The Athletic, but Freeling won out (Sadiq was already gone by then). Despite only making 17 starts in college, the former Georgia Bulldog saw his stock skyrocket during the pre-draft process. Morgan called Freeling “a franchise left tackle” on Tuesday. Even if he loses the battle to Walker this summer, the Panthers at least regard Freeling as their long-term solution at the position.
As is the case at left tackle, the Panthers are set to stage a competition at center, Person reports. Cade Mays had a career season during a 12-start 2025 for the Panthers, but they did not retain him in free agency. A few hours after Mays joined the Lions on a three-year, $25MM agreement, the Panthers added Luke Fortner on a modest pact worth up to $4.75MM. Fortner has amassed 44 starts in a four-year career divided between Jacksonville and New Orleans, but he will have to fend off rookie Sam Hecht for the No. 1 role in Carolina. The Panthers spent a fifth-rounder on Hecht, who was a two-year starter at Kansas State. Hecht earned first-team All-Big 12 honors last season.
While it is up in the air who will start at left tackle and center, the rest of the Panthers’ 2025 front five could begin next season intact. Right tackle Taylor Moton and the guard tandem of Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis remain in the fold on pricey contracts.
Jets Sign First-Round TE Kenyon Sadiq
The Jets now have the second of their three first-round picks under contract. Tight end Kenyon Sadiq has signed his fully guaranteed rookie deal, the team announced. As the 16th overall pick, Sadiq will earn approximately $22.34MM.
This year’s draft saw 22 tight ends come off the board, but Sadiq was the lone first-rounder of the bunch. The 6-foot-3, 241-pounder played three years at Oregon, where he enjoyed a breakout junior season in 2025. Sadiq hauled in 51 passes for 560 yards and eight touchdowns en route to Big Ten Tight End of the Year honors. He was also a second-team All-American.
Sadiq’s stock was already high when Oregon’s season ended, but he improved it with a scintillating performance at the Combine. The 21-year-old cemented himself as a first-round lock when he ran the fastest 40-yard dash (4.39 seconds) of any tight end since at least 2003. He also paced the position in the 10-yard split and finished second in the vertical jump, broad jump and bench press.
The Jets, who entered the draft in dire need of pass-catching help, are banking on the athletically gifted Sadiq emerging as a key weapon in new coordinator Frank Reich‘s offense. Sadiq will join 2025 second-rounder Mason Taylor, who was a bright spot in a rough year for the team, as well as Jeremy Ruckert as New York’s tight ends. Sadiq, Taylor, No. 1 wide receiver Garrett Wilson, first-round wideout Omar Cooper Jr. (pick No. 30) and WR Adonai Mitchell form a respectable-looking collection of pass catchers on paper.
Sadiq is the first member of the Jets’ eight-player draft class to put pen to paper on his rookie deal. Edge defender David Bailey, the second overall pick, is the headliner of the group.
Rams Viewed Cardinals As Ty Simpson Threat; Lions Offered L.A. First-Round Trade
Coming out of the first round with the most surprising selection, the Rams have established a Packers-like runway for Ty Simpson to develop behind Matthew Stafford. While holding the Falcons’ first-round pick (No. 13 overall) gave the Rams rare draft real estate, most were still borderline shocked to see Simpson go as high as he did.
Los Angeles has been high on the Alabama product since the 2025 season, and GM Les Snead has known Simpson’s father for much longer. Sean McVay‘s attitude in his post-first-rounder presser created buzz the head coach was not on the same page as his GM, but he has gone to great lengths to indicate that is not the case. McVay and Snead were believed to be in lockstep on Simpson, as should be expected given the HC’s accomplishments and influence in the organization.
[RELATED: Grade Rams’ Simpson’ Selection]
The Rams did consider other players at 13, and The Athletic’s Nate Atkins notes the team received a trade offer from the Lions. The return, however, did not excite the Rams, who stayed at 13 and chose Simpson. The Lions held the No. 17 overall pick. We had heard the Rams fielded calls from teams interested in outflanking the Ravens for Vega Ioane, but the Lions had been closely linked to filling their post-Taylor Decker tackle need.
The Lions could have been targeting Ioane as an option to replace Christian Mahogany at left guard, but they ended up with Clemson’s Blake Miller at 17. Detroit had seen three tackles — Spencer Fano, Francis Mauigoa and Kadyn Proctor — go off the board from Nos. 9-12, and we heard shortly before the draft a run on O-linemen was expected midway through the first round. That ended up taking place, as nine blockers went off the board between Nos. 9 and 28.
Detroit could have been eyeing a move up the board to grab Miller, but no tackles were selected from Nos. 13-16. That gave the Lions Miller, whom the team is expected (per ESPN’s Eric Woodyard) to play right tackle opposite Penei Sewell.
As for the Rams, Atkins views the team as deeming the Cardinals a threat for Simpson. The Cardinals were closely tied to Simpson during the pre-draft process and entered Round 1 as the odds-on favorite, per Vegas, to leave Pittsburgh with the QB rostered. The Rams thought the Cardinals had “heavy interest” in Simpson.
While Arizona chose Jeremiyah Love at No. 3 and did not have another pick until No. 34, we heard buzz about the team potentially eyeing him via a trade back into Round 1. We saw the Giants execute that route to nab a quarterback in 2025, taking Abdul Carter at No. 3 and using their No. 34 pick to climb back into the first round for Jaxson Dart.
While the Rams could have potentially traded down and added assets to grab Simpson — who had been part of a clandestine research project, with secret meetings between McVay and the QB commencing — they did not want to take that chance. Thus, Simpson will be tied to a larger-than-expected rookie contract due to going off the board at 13.
Even if the Rams had re-signed two-year backup Jimmy Garoppolo, Atkins adds the team would still have prioritized Simpson as a QB stash in Round 1. The team has still not ruled out Garoppolo backing up Stafford this year, but the 34-year-old passer is considering retirement. Garoppolo engaged in talks with the Cardinals to follow ex-Rams OC Mike LaFleur to Arizona, but the discussions hit a snag and led to the team signing Gardner Minshew. he and Jacoby Brissett — the latter a potential trade candidate — now serve as bridge options in front of third-round pick Carson Beck.
Had the Rams not ended up with Simpson at 13, Atkins pegs the team as choosing a skill player and offers more connections to Makai Lemon and Kenyon Sadiq. The former lasted to No. 20, when the Eagles traded in front of an eager Steelers team, and the latter went 16th overall to the Jets. The Rams made Ohio State tight end Max Klare their second pick in this draft.
Adding Simpson now gives the Rams flexibility with their 2027 picks, with Atkins adding that factored into the decision to take him at 13. The 2027 draft has drawn immense intrigue a year out, with teams holding onto ’27 first-round picks thus far. Two 2027 first-round choices have been traded, but both were unloaded (by the Colts and Cowboys) in 2025. No team parted with a 2027 first-round pick during this draft.
The Rams have both been an active trader of first-round picks (as their Trent McDuffie trade most recently showed) and a team that has found tremendous value via Day 2 and Day 3 selections during the Snead-McVay partnership. It is possible a 2027 first-rounder will carry more value, and the Rams will not need their ’27 first for a QB following their Simpson decision.
Ty Simpson Fallout: Rams, McVay, Snead, Stafford, Lemon, Sadiq, Garoppolo, Ioane
While loosely connected to Ty Simpson entering the draft, the Rams were viewed as more likely to add a player that helped their strong 2026 roster compete for a Super Bowl title. In a move eerily similar to the Packers’ Jordan Love pick six years ago, the Rams came out of Round 1 with Simpson — who may well sit behind Matthew Stafford for multiple seasons.
Discussions about this pick pivoted from whether Simpson was a reach at No. 13 to whether Sean McVay was enthused about the selection. McVay’s post-draft presser left plenty to be desired on the latter front. For instance, McVay made this comment shortly after the choice:
“There were a lot of players that we liked, but when you do look at it, I think the thing you liked about the body of work is … let’s make one thing clear, this is Matthew’s team,” McVay said. “You get a chance to be able to address the backup quarterback.”
[RELATED: Rams Considered Joe Flacco In Free Agency]
This situation technically makes Simpson the backup quarterback — McVay went as far as to say Simpson will compete with disappointing holdover Stetson Bennett for the gig — but the Rams paid Jimmy Garoppolo barely $3MM to handle that role over the past two years. Dynamics in play here certainly separate this from merely staffing the QB2 job. With the exception of the Packers’ three-year Love developmental plan, QBs chosen in Round 1 play as rookies or, at the latest, by Year 2. Stafford is going into an age-38 season and is expected to sign an extension soon.
The Packers did add Love ahead of a Rodgers MVP season, but Stafford coming off an MVP campaign and seeing his team draft his successor is uncovered ground. No team rostering a reigning MVP quarterback has chosen another passer in the first or second round since the 1970 merger. But that is Stafford’s reality now. While this situation differs from the clunky Kirk Cousins–Michael Penix Jr. setup, as Stafford is unlikely to be benched anytime soon, a clock is almost certainly in place on his Rams tenure — rather than a Super Bowl frontrunner augmenting his current roster.
Makai Lemon was “definitely” in the mix to go to L.A. at 13, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, but this does not appear to have been a McVay-Les Snead power struggle. A personnel source informed Fowler that Simpson being there at 13 meant the Rams were taking him, going so far as to say the Alabama prospect compared favorably to No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza by some in the team’s building.
McVay “absolutely” was onboard with the pick, another source told Fowler, with a separate team source indicating the duo was in lockstep by “all indications.”
“I think Sean had a chat with Matthew before last night. And that’s one thing that Matthew’s definitely earned,” Snead said, via The Sedano and Cap Morning Show (h/t Pro Football Talk’s Myles Simmons) “It’s one of the things that we’re working together to go through it. Matthew is on his way to, I would say this, a Hall of Fame career, right? And he still has gas left in the tank. And big picture, our vision’s always been, ‘Hey, let’s make the most of this time with Matthew and his teammates — let’s chase special together, however long that may [last].’ There’s no timeline on this. The longer, the better. Matthew just came off an MVP season, so if he continues playing, it’s like, this is better for everyone involved.
“And I think at the end of the day, Sean and I are going to always work together in these types of decisions. … But there was a lot that was going on into maneuvering that draft. So, we’re in lockstep. We work together. We’re collaborative. It’s him and I partnering to try to do the best for the Rams.”
Snead played in the SEC (at Auburn) around the same time Simpson’s father (Jason) was at Mississippi State. Jason Simpson, the longtime HC at Tennessee-Martin, consulted with Snead on whether Ty should declare for the draft or stay in college. Snead said Ty was a first-round-level talent, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero notes. Simpson received $5MM and then $6.5MM offers from Miami to transfer there for the ’26 season, according to Pelissero. Snead had his eye on Simpson dating back to the fall, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones notes.
These discussions commenced before Alabama’s Rose Bowl game. Miami’s second offer would have compared to a second-round guarantee, but Simpson’s No. 13 overall pact will be worth $25.77MM fully guaranteed (per OverTheCap). When Ty’s parents discussed the QB’s future with Snead before his draft declaration, Pelissero indicates the longtime Rams GM conveyed a real possibility the Rams would draft him in the first round. (While the Rams’ draft slot was not known at that point, L.A. knew where its Atlanta-obtained pick would land since the Falcons’ season had ended.)
Simpson declared for the draft Jan. 7 — three days after the Falcons’ season wrapped — and the Rams carried a rare opportunity to find a Stafford heir apparent. The team’s draft slot regularly comes outside the top 20; it landed at No. 29 this year. The Rams traded their own pick to the Chiefs for Trent McDuffie, and the draft community had viewed that swap as a decision that would likely send Simpson elsewhere. The Rams were viewed as high on Simpson but were considered more likely to draft him at 29 than at 13 (or via a trade-down from 13).
Even if this was a Snead-based pick, McVay has held tremendous input since arriving in L.A. nine years ago. A source familiar with the organization’s inner workings told FanSided’s Jason La Canfora that McVay “pulls all the triggers, and especially on a quarterback.” It would be highly unlikely a coach with McVay’s track record would be overruled by his GM, leading some in the league to view McVay’s lack of post-draft enthrallment for the pick as performative for Stafford’s benefit.
McVay indeed called Stafford on Thursday, per Jones. This differed from the Falcons’ approach, as they famously did not call Cousins before the Penix pick. Stafford is on a different QB tier than Cousins, and while it will be interesting to hear the veteran passer’s thoughts on the move, Simpson will be expected to sit for a while. The move also came partially due to Garoppolo uncertainty, per Fowler, though that assuredly played a small part in this. Garoppolo, whom the Rams had wanted back, is considering retirement.
McVay said (via Jones) he does not believe this pick will affect Stafford extension talks. The Rams have reached revised deals with their five-year starter in each of the past two offseasons, but with the QB unsigned for 2027, a true extension is on the docket this year.
Stafford pursued a $50MM-plus-AAV deal last year, being allowed to explore a trade, but backed down — after aggressive Raiders and Giants pushes — and signed a reworked Rams pact that brought a $40MM early guarantee. Simpson’s status aside, Stafford will still carry considerable leverage in Rams talks. Though, it is worth wondering if Simpson’s arrival will affect how much in future guarantees the Rams will want to offer.
Tied closely to the Rams coming into the draft, Lemon fell to 20th (via an Eagles trade-up in front of the Steelers). The Rams also considered tight end Kenyon Sadiq, per Fowler, who adds Caleb Downs — had he fallen to 13 — was on the team’s radar. Dallas traded up one spot to ensure it landed Downs at No. 11. The Rams have pursued a young weapon in each of the previous two first rounds. They sought Brock Bowers in 2024 and made an offer for No. 8 overall — believed to be a Tetairoa McMillan aim — in 2025. They also were linked to Emeka Egbuka in last year’s first round.
That makes the Simpson-over-Lemon call interesting, but if the Rams are right on the passer (and they certainly have an optimal setup to develop one given McVay’s success), that will end up being the right play long term.
The Rams also received calls from teams eager to move ahead of the Ravens (at No. 14) for guard Vega Ioane, and while it would have made sense to explore sliding down and picking up assets, the team stood pat. That certainly furthers the belief McVay was firmly in Camp Simpson, despite the Crimson Tide signal-caller being a one-year college starter. Simpson, who was linked to the Cardinals and Jets (among other teams) in this draft, preferred to end up in L.A., Fowler adds.
Green Bay has seen its Love investment pay dividends, though its 2020 squad — despite a Rodgers MVP effort — fell just short of Super Bowl LV. The Packers have not been that close since, with a non-QB first-round pick potentially enough to make the difference in that Buccaneers matchup five Januarys ago. But the Packers have since extended Love, who has become an upper-crust QB. The Rams had not brought in a starter-level draft prospect under McVay, though the HC developed Snead draftee Jared Goff upon arrival.
The Simpson project will be scrutinized, but this will remain Stafford’s show for a while. The extension talks will be the next chapter to follow here, and it will be fascinating how long the Rams truly commit to their likely Hall of Fame-bound starter — and, perhaps, how long he now wants to commit to the team — now that they have his likely replacement rostered.
Jets Select TE Kenyon Sadiq At No. 16
The top tight end prospect in this year’s draft is heading to New York. Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq will join the Jets via the No. 16 overall pick.
Linked by some to go to an NFC South club, Sadiq will team with 2025 second-round tight end Mason Taylor with the Jets. A New York team that managed to go 17 games without seeing anyone clear 400 receiving yards will pick up some vital pass-catching muscle alongside Garrett Wilson.
The 6-foot-3, 241-pound Sadiq spent three years at Oregon, where he enjoyed a breakout junior season in 2025. He led Ducks pass catchers in receptions (51) and touchdowns (eight), and he finished second in yards (560). After leading college football tight ends in TDs, Sadiq earned First-Team All-Big Ten and Big Ten Tight End of the Year honors. Sadiq cemented his status as an athletic freak at the Combine, where he ran the fastest 40-yard dash (4.39 seconds) of any tight end since at least 2023.
Adding at least one receiving threat in this draft was a must for the Jets, though the popular belief was they would select a wideout before a tight end. The team reportedly gave first-round grades to Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson and Denzel Boston. Tate (Titans) and Tyson (Saints) came off the board in the top 10. Boston is still available, but the Jets like Sadiq better. As owners of the 33rd and 44th choices, the Jets should be in position to land a promising receiver in the second round if they want to give quarterback Geno Smith another target to join Sadiq, Taylor, Wilson and Adonai Mitchell.
Draft Rumors: Stukes, Allar, Seahawks, Price, Chiefs, Mauigoa, Bolts, Banks
This draft figures to produce at least three first-round safeties, with Dillon Thieneman and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren following Caleb Downs off the board. Ely Allen’s PFR mock draft has Thieneman going 18th to the Vikings and McNeil-Warren heading to the Eagles at 23. A fourth safety looks to have entered the equation for Round 1, with CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz noting Arizona’s Treydan Stukes has made a push to go early on Day 2 or late on Day 1. Coaches have viewed Stukes favorably, per CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, who views the safety as a candidate to see slot time and potentially be a first-round pick.
Blazing to a 4.33-second 40-yard dash time (third among safeties) at the Combine, Stukes intercepted seven career passes (four last season) with the Wildcats. A six-year collegian (which is certainly no longer uncommon), Stukes looks to have made noise late in the pre-draft process. The versatile DB made 11 pre-draft visits, per ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano, who mentions meetings with the Chiefs and Seahawks. Although Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board places Stukes 48th (33 spots behind McNeil-Warren), the longtime draft expert’s final mock sends Stukes 29th to the Chiefs and leaves McNeil-Warren out of Round 1.
Here is the latest from the draft ranks:
- Francis Mauigoa‘s back issue has generated some concern. Some teams think he will need surgery to repair a herniated disk, and Graziano indicates some clubs are worried about the Miami tackle prospect’s health. A scenario in which Mauigoa — long hyped as being this class’ top O-lineman — falls behind Utah’s Spencer Fano and Penn State’s Vega Ioane is one to monitor as a result of the disk issue, per Graziano.
- The Chargers are hoping to trade down from No. 22, per The Athletic’s Daniel Popper, eyeing an increase to their five-pick total. Though, Popper cautions a few teams in this draft sector want to move down. This draft is not viewed as having a clear line of demarcation between talent beyond the top 15 or so, and teams eyeing drops to accumulate capital while still landing a comparable player after sliding down the board makes sense. The Bolts hold picks 22, 55, 86, 123 and 204 in this draft. If the Chargers do not move down, Popper points to Thieneman and fellow Oregon product Kenyon Sadiq as names to monitor. Ely had Sadiq going to the Panthers at No. 19 in his mock.
- As we covered Tuesday, the Seahawks have an extensive history of trading down in Round 1 under John Schneider. The two-time Super Bowl-winning GM confirmed he wants to move out of the first round, as the Seahawks hold a league-low four draft choices. Should Seattle stay at No. 32, however, Graziano connects the defending champions to Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price. It is possible Price could be there early in Round 2, depending on how far the Seahawks prefer to move down, but the Jeremiyah Love backup is viewed as this top-heavy RB class’ second-best option at the position. The Jaguars may loom as a Price suitor if he slips into Round 2.
- Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson and Central Florida edge rusher Malachi Lawrence are generating some late momentum heading into the draft, Zenitz adds. Allar’s college tape left plenty to be desired, per Zenitz, though one coach views Day 2 as an appropriate landing spot. Adam La Rose’s most recent PFR mailbag pegged LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier as this class’ No. 3 QB prospect, though it is not a lock any non-Fernando Mendoza or Ty Simpson options hear their names called before Day 3.
- Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks is recovering from a broken foot that required surgery. That has affected his draft stock, but ESPN.com’s Pete Thamel notes teams received a letter from Banks’ camp saying the ex-Gator will be ready for football work by early June. Banks broke his foot at the Combine; Jeremiah’s big board places him 51st.
TE Kenyon Sadiq An Option For Buccaneers?
The Mike Evans-less Buccaneers are going to look different offensively in 2026. As part of their subtle offensive makeover, the team could look to add an intriguing spark to the unit.
According to ESPN’s Jordan Reid, the Buccaneers have “keyed in” on the tight end position ahead of the draft. That’s made Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq a “real possibility” for the organization at pick No. 15.
Sadiq is widely considered the top tight end prospect in the draft, and he’ll likely be the only player at his position selected on Day 1. The tight end saw a larger role with the Ducks in 2024, including a Big Ten Football Championship Game when he hauled in a pair of touchdowns. He had a true breakout in 2025, finishing with 51 catches for 560 yards and eight touchdowns.
Scouts have touted the Oregon star’s offensive tenacity, and his size and speed will make him an intriguing piece in an NFL offense. While scouts are similarly wary of his pass-blocking ability, teams generally value pass-catching prowess when it comes to first-round investments at the position.
The Buccaneers are among the squads that would consider the star TE. Cade Otton has led the depth chart for several years but has never emerged as a top-tier player at the position. The veteran been relatively steady, especially over the past two years, when he’s averaged 59 catches, 586 yards, and more than two touchdowns per season. Still, it’s hard to blame the Buccaneers for considering an upgrade, especially with Evans no longer around.
The organization somewhat prepared for Evans departure during the 2025 draft, when they added Emeka Egbuka with the 19th-overall pick. The Ohio State product finished his rookie season with 938 receiving yards and six touchdowns, and he’ll lead the pass-catching corps in 2026. With Chris Godwin hitting his twilight, Sadiq could join Egbuka and recent draft picks Jalen McMillan and Tez Johnson as young pieces on Tampa Bay’s offense.
Saints To Target WR, TE In Draft
APRIL 10: Cooper is, to little surprise, among the wideouts who will be hosted by the Saints on a top-30 visit, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. His visit will take place tomorrow and it will include other receiver prospects, another indication of New Orleans’ draft intentions.
APRIL 7: Saints quarterback Tyler Shough impressed as a rookie in 2025 despite a less-than-stellar supporting cast. Hoping to add more pass-catching threats ahead of Shough’s second season, the Saints plan to address wide receiver and tight end in the draft, according to Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports.
New Orleans traded Rashid Shaheed and waived Brandin Cooks last season, leaving the cupboard at receiver almost empty after No. 1 option Chris Olave. Devaughn Vele came on strong toward the end of the year, but he finished with just 25 catches and 393 yards in 13 games. Other than Olave and Vele, no returning Saints wideout even reached 20 catches last season. The team has not added any noteworthy receivers via free agency or trades, leaving the draft as its best avenue to upgrade.
Owners of the eighth overall pick, the Saints have set up visits with a pair of top-tier receiver prospects, Ohio State‘s Carnell Tate and USC‘s Makai Lemon. Either could be a possibility for New Orleans’ first selection. That spot is likely too high for Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr., though he is a potential first-rounder. The Saints “spent extensive time” with Cooper and fellow Hoosiers wideout Elijah Sarratt after their pro day last week, Pauline relays. Sarratt may still be available in the third round, where the Saints hold the 73rd overall selection.
With 77 catches, 889 yards and three touchdowns during a second straight 17-game season in 2025, tight end Juwan Johnson was easily the Saints’ best aerial weapon behind Olave. The team has also added Noah Fant on a two-year deal in free agency. But Pauline nonetheless floats the possibility of the Saints using their first pick on Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq, who is riding the momentum of an excellent season and a scintillating Combine performance.
After Sadiq ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, the fastest for a tight end since at least 2003, perhaps the Saints will consider making him a rare top-10 pick at his position. Since the turn of the century, only six tight ends (Kyle Pitts, Kellen Winslow II, Vernon Davis, T.J. Hockenson, Eric Ebron and Colston Loveland) have come off the board in the first 10 choices.
As the Saints’ general manager since 2002, Mickey Loomis has never spent a second-rounder on a tight end, let alone a first. On the other hand, he has shown a willingness to draft a receiver in the first round, having grabbed Olave, Cooks, Robert Meacham and Donte’ Stallworth in his two-plus decades in charge.
Browns Meet With WR KC Concepcion, TE Kenyon Sadiq
The Browns are clearly lacking receiving weapons as the 2026 NFL Draft nears. Armed with two first-round picks, they could snag at least one pass catcher with a high selection. The team hosted a pair of likely first-rounders in Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion and Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq on Wednesday, per reports from Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Cleveland is light at wideout, especially after Jerry Jeudy‘s production plummeted last season. Jeudy went from 90 catches and 1,229 yards in 2024 to 50 and 602 in those categories in 2025. No other returning Browns receiver even reached the 25-catch mark, and they have not added anyone of note to the group this offseason. That explains their interest in Concepcion and several other draft-bound receivers. Concepcion may be more realistic for the Browns’ second first-rounder (No. 24) than their top selection (No. 6).
The Browns are not expected to re-sign longtime starting tight end David Njoku, who remains a free agent, after finding a replacement last year. A third-round rookie in 2025, Harold Fannin was a rare bright spot in Cleveland’s offense. The 6-foot-4, 241-pounder led the Browns in catches (72), yards (731) and receiving touchdowns (six). Fannin’s presence suggests the Browns do not need to make a major investment in a tight end. However, as the Ravens’ offensive coordinator from 2023-25, new Browns head coach Todd Monken made use of the Mark Andrews–Isaiah Likely pass-catching duo.
Monken and the Browns will at least consider pairing Sadiq with Fannin, though it is unclear if they are interested in using a top-10 pick on the position. Sadiq may not be there at 24, yet six could be too rich in this case. Only three tight ends (including Kellen Winslow II to the Browns in 2004) have come off the board at No. 6 or higher since 2000.
Regardless of whether the Browns take him, Sadiq looks like a shoo-in first-rounder after a second-team All-America season and a spectacular performance at the Combine. He has a notable Cleveland connection in quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who played with Sadiq at Oregon in 2024. That may not matter, though, considering Gabriel is not expected to start for the Browns in 2026.