2026 NFL Draft Tight End Rankings: Kenyon Sadiq, Eli Stowers Lead a Versatile, Projection-Heavy Class

The 2026 NFL Draft tight end rankings deliver at least one true Day 1 prospect in Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq.

Beyond Sadiq, this is a deep class filled with complementary TE2 types and quality depth pieces — but it lacks multiple high-end, blue-chip talents at the top. This group is more projection-based, featuring a mix of strong in-line blockers and movement “F” tight ends who aren’t dominant at the point of attack.

Our TE2 is Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers. While he’s a willing blocker, he profiles more as a complementary number two or move “F” tight end with strong receiving chops. The good news? The NFL is leaning into heavier 12 personnel, and a player like Stowers could thrive paired with a true in-line option — think a team like Seattle alongside a blocker-receiver hybrid like AJ Barner.

As you move down the board, there’s a cluster of Day Two and Day Three names who bring in-line blocking value with functional pass-catching ability. Georgia’s Oscar Delp fits that mold — a balanced tight end with TE1 upside. Michigan’s Marlin Klein also flashes a very high ceiling, but injuries and offensive limitations in 2025 leave some projection still on the table.

Overall, this class brings strong depth and defined role diversity, even if it lacks multiple generational prospects at the top. League evaluators view this group as reliable — especially on Day Two — with meaningful starter and rotational value inside the top 100 picks.

If you need depth or a high-quality TE2, this is the year to find one on Day Two or Day Three.

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2026 NFL Draft Tight End Rankings

1). Kenyon Sadiq, 6’3”, 250 lbs, Oregon

Grade Tier: High-End Starter Potential

NFL Projection: Late 1st – Early 2nd Round

Analysis: A rare two-phase tight end with legitimate three-down value. Sadiq blends burst, acceleration, and YAC ability with competitive in-line blocking temperament. He stresses defenses vertically up the seam and can align in-line, slot, or detached. Continued refinement in route detail will determine how quickly he reaches his Pro Bowl ceiling, but the traits profile as an instant-impact starter in a multiple offense.

2). Eli Stowers, 6’4”, 225 lbs, Vanderbilt

Grade Tier: Mid-Level Starter Potential

NFL Projection: 2nd–3rd Round

Analysis: A movement-based “F” tight end with explosive seam speed and run-after-catch ability. Stowers wins with fluid hips, acceleration, and natural hands. His lean frame limits in-line blocking projection early, but his vertical stress ability and mismatch upside make him a valuable TE2 with starter potential in spread or 12-personnel offenses.

3). Oscar Delp, 6’5”, 245 lbs, Georgia

Grade Tier: Low-Level Starter Potential

NFL Projection: 3rd–4th Round

Analysis: A polished, balanced tight end who wins with route discipline, spatial awareness, and dependable hands. Delp provides reliable underneath separation and competitive in-line effort. While not a dynamic mismatch athlete, he offers a high floor as a TE2 with rotational value and eventual starter upside in a pro-style system.

4). Max Klare, 6’4”, 240 lbs, Ohio State

Grade Tier: Low-Level Starter Potential

NFL Projection: 3rd–4th Round

Analysis: A smooth, route-savvy receiving tight end who creates separation with nuance rather than power. Klare operates well in space and offers dependable hands over the middle. Limited in-line strength caps his Y projection, but he profiles as a high-floor flex tight end in pass-heavy offenses.

5). Michael Trigg, 6’4”, 240 lbs, Baylor

Grade Tier: Low-Level Starter Potential

NFL Projection: 3rd–4th Round

Analysis: A long, rangy flex tight end with red-zone upside and vertical seam value. Trigg wins with catch radius and body control but remains developmental as a route technician and blocker. Early career role projects as a move/F tight end with mismatch packages.

6). Justin Joly, 6’3”, 250 lbs, NC State

Grade Tier: Low-Level Starter Potential

NFL Projection: 4th Round

Analysis: A sturdy, chain-moving flex tight end with strong hands and leverage awareness. Joly wins through body control and contested-catch reliability rather than burst. Blocking consistency limits full-time Y projection, but he offers reliable TE2 value.

7). Marlin Klein, 6’6”, 250 lbs, Michigan

Grade Tier: Low-Level Starter Potential

NFL Projection: 4th–5th Round

Analysis: A traditional in-line Y tight end with early-down blocking utility. Klein brings size, leverage, and toughness at the point of attack. Limited vertical explosiveness caps mismatch upside, but he projects as a dependable TE2/3 in heavy personnel.

8). Jack Endries, 6’4”, 240 lbs, Texas

Grade Tier: Low-Level Starter Potential

NFL Projection: 4th–5th Round

Analysis: A high-floor receiving tight end who wins with awareness and reliable hands. Endries consistently finds soft spots in coverage but lacks high-end speed. Best suited as a flex TE2 in spacing-based passing systems.

9). Sam Roush, 6’5”, 260 lbs, Stanford

Grade Tier: Low-Level Starter Potential

NFL Projection: 5th Round

Analysis: One of the more traditional in-line Y tight ends in the class. Roush shows functional blocking ability and dependable hands underneath. Limited twitch and separation ability project him as a steady TE2 with three-down utility in balanced offenses.

10). Tanner Koziol, 6’7”, 240 lbs, Houston

Grade Tier: Backup Level

NFL Projection: 6th–7th Round

Analysis: A towering possession tight end with red-zone value and a strong catch radius. Koziol wins at the catch point but lacks separation, burst, and consistent in-line power. Projects as a situational TE3 with specialized scoring-area usage.

How We Grade the Tight End Position

Tight ends are evaluated primarily on role versatility, receiving impact, and in-line functional strength. Grades are driven by how consistently a player can create mismatches in the passing game while maintaining assignment integrity as a blocker. In today’s NFL, tight ends must threaten all three levels as receivers while holding up against defensive ends and linebackers in both zone and gap schemes.

Key factors include route tree diversity, separation ability versus man and zone, catch radius, ball tracking, and yards-after-catch creation. We also weigh in-line blocking technique, anchor strength, hand placement, and willingness to sustain through contact. Alignment versatility — whether a player can function as a true Y, move F, H-back, or detached slot option — is critical. In a league built on matchup stress and personnel disguise, tight ends who can impact both the passing game and the run structure without tipping tendencies carry the highest value in our evaluation.

Football Scout 365 Grade Scale

Elite

NFL Projection: Top 5–10 Picks (1st Round)

Franchise-altering talent with elite physical tools, advanced processing, and minimal weaknesses. Immediate high-impact starter with difference-making ability.

Near Elite

NFL Projection: Mid-to-Late 1st Round

High-level prospect with strong traits and football intelligence. Expected to become a major contributor early in their career with Pro Bowl upside.

High-End Starter Potential

NFL Projection: 2nd–3rd Round

Projects as a quality NFL starter with strong tools and functional traits. May require refinement, but offers consistent impact with development.

Mid-Level Starter Potential

NFL Projection: 4th–5th Round

Dependable starter or high-end rotational player. Solid athletic profile with some limitations that cap ceiling or require scheme fit.

Low-Level Starter Potential

NFL Projection: 6th–7th Round

Developmental prospect with starter upside in defined roles. Inconsistencies in technique, processing, or durability limit long-term ceiling.

Backup Level

NFL Projection: Undrafted Free Agent (UDFA)

Depth player or rotational piece. Functional traits but limited upside for a long-term starting role.

Not NFL Level

NFL Projection: Unlikely to Make NFL Roster

Significant developmental needs across athleticism, technique, or processing. Long-shot to stick at the NFL level.