Even though the 2025 NFL season just started, it’s never too early to look ahead toward the 2026 NFL Draft. This weekly series will take a closer look at some of the prospects the Carolina Panthers could
select in the 2026 iteration of the Draft. In this series, we’ll only be looking at prospects the Panthers could seriously consider. This week our profile will focus on Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq.
Bio
Sadiq was a four star recruit and Idaho’s Player of the Year as a senior in high school. He managed to see the field as a true freshman with the Ducks in 2023, though he was mostly relegated to special teams at that point. With former starter Jake Ferguson now in the NFL, Sadiq managed to shine this season, hauling in 40 catches for 490 yards and eight touchdowns. Those numbers made him a finalist for the Mackey Award (top tight end in the nation), though he ended up finishing second to Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers.
Strengths/Weaknesses
Kenyon Sadiq’s main strengths are his physical attributes. He is 6’3”, 250 lbs and has elite straight line speed. The speed and explosiveness show up on tape, too, as he is able to leap over defenders and make insane acrobatic catches. Sadiq also consistently catches with his hands which, combined with his strength and spatial awareness, makes him a safe bet in contested catch situations. He is a competitive and willing blocker and has experience lining up all over the formation. He even ran the ball three times for the Ducks this year, further showcasing his versatility.
While Sadiq does not shy away from contact, he can occasionally get out muscled at the line of scrimmage. This could limit his ability to be an inline tight end at the next level. Stronger defenders can jam him at the line of scrimmage on pass plays and bully him on run plays. That, combined with his inconsistent run blocking technique could lead some teams to drop him a bit on their boards.
Projection
Sadiq will likely be a first round selection in April’s Draft. Where he ends up falling is a topic of debate, with his projection ranging anywhere from top ten to end of the first round. The success of Tyler Warren, Colston Loveland, and former Duck Jake Ferguson could lead teams into investing in the tight end position earlier in the Draft than in years past.
Despite the Panthers defense having the majority of spots for upgrades this offseason, Dan Morgan and Dave Canales have shown that they are not afraid to continue investing top picks on the offensive side of the ball by taking Tetairoa McMillan last year. That selection has worked out quite well so far for the Panthers, and the team currently lacks a definitive number one tight end. While Mitchell Evans has shown flashes, JT Sanders has regressed a bit this year, and Tommy Tremble is not a deep receiving threat from the tight end spot. Sadiq would provide the tight end room with another weapon that could truly help unlock the offense.
What do you think, Panthers fans? If Kenyon Sadiq is available when the Panthers select in the 2026 NFL Draft, should they take him? Sound off in the comments!
