Bo Nix is the Denver Broncos’ quarterback of the future, and he is already a significant factor in their roster-building decisions. It makes sense, then, that the Broncos would at least kick the tires on yet another one of his former cohorts.
It does not hurt that the potential target would also fill a key need.
However, the Broncos also have a history of draft subterfuge under head coach Sean Payton, which cannot be overlooked.
Broncos Meet With Bo Nix’s Former Ducks Teammate
GettyKenyon Sadiq #18 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates after defeating the James Madison Dukes during the 2025 College Football Playoff First Round Game.
Nix is heading into his third season with the Broncos, having cemented himself as their franchise QB, and teams frequently go out of their way to appease their QB1.
The Broncos could follow suit, with Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq on their radar.
“Per source, #Broncos held formal Combine interview with Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq,” 9News’ Mike Klis reported on X on February 26. “Considered No. 1 TE prospect in draft, Sadiq was backup freshman during Bo Nix’s senior year at Oregon.”
Sadiq told reporters in attendance that his meeting with the Broncos went “well,” and that it “would be great to reunite” with Nix, per The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson.
He said Nix elevates teammates, was a “mentor,” and that they already have good chemistry.
Said he already knows “how he thinks.”
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared Sadiq to Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride.
“A versatile tight end with a shredded physique and alluring potential as a volume target, Sadiq’s route tree will be full of branches. His athleticism and break quickness should allow him to uncover against man coverage on all three levels. He’s talented after the catch, with the ability to make things easier for play-callers and quarterbacks looking to move the sticks,” Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft profile.
“He has the body control and hand strength to win contested catches but will occasionally allow balls to hit the ground on lower-difficulty plays. He’s adequate as a blocker, giving good effort in-line and locating and landing on linebackers as a move blocker. Teams looking to diversify their passing game options with a talented pass-catching tight end could make Sadiq a priority.”
Kenyon Sadiq Tops TE Rankings
GettyKenyon Sadiq #18 of the Oregon Ducks runs with the ball against the Indiana Hoosiers during the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
Sadiq was seldom used during Nix’s final season in Eugene. So, three is not the same connection that Nix had with draft mate and Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin Jr. had with one another coming into the league, which began paying off this past season.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper ranked Sadiq as his top TE and the 14th-best prospect in the class.
“Sadiq is loaded with physical traits. He has the explosion to hurdle defenders in the open field,” Kiper wrote on February 23.
“Has the vision and speed to cause conflict after the catch, with almost half his 2025 yardage coming after the ball was in his hands (260 yards). And he’s nearly impossible to match against because of his quickness and size. Sadiq was consistent last season, and he should be the first tight end off the board.”
Broncos Could Have All-New TE Room
GettyEvan Engram #1 of the Denver Broncos runs after the catch during the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots.
The Broncos enter the 2026 offseason with two tight ends from their 2025 roster under contract for 2026, oft-injured two-time Pro Bowler Evan Engram and 2024 seventh-round pick Caleb Lohner, who spent most of his college career on the basketball court.
Engram is even a cut candidate. That more than leaves the door wide open for an addition to the roster at the position, which has been a key part of Payton’s offenses in the past, via the draft.
The chances that Sadiq will be the Broncos’ roster addition are slim heading into the draft.
Broncos Move on Bo Nix’s Former Teammate Before Offseason