With the No. 16 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the New York Jets have selected Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq. The No. 16 overall player on Arif Hasan’s media consensus big board, Sadiq is a freak athlete and one of the most athlete prospects to ever come through the draft.
A former former four-star recruit from Idaho, Sadiq broke out in a major way in 2025, totaling 51 receptions for 560 yards and eight touchdowns. He was named consensus first-team All-Big Ten after the season as one of the best tight ends in the country.
What are the New York Jets Getting in Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq?
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 09: Kenyon Sadiq #18 of the Oregon Ducks (now of the New York Jets) warms up before the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against the Oregon Ducks at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Sadiq is the most athletic tight end in NFL Scouting Combine history. He measured 6-3, 241 pounds, running a ridiculous 4.39-second 40-yard dash, jumping 43 and a half inches in the vertical and 11-foot-one-inch in the broad.
In my final position rankings series for NFL Trade Rumors, I had this to say on scouting report:
“[Sadiq] broke the Combine record for the fastest 40-yard dash time by a tight end, adding ridiculous jump numbers too,” I wrote. “He’s liable to blow past linebackers down the field and make safeties work hard to keep up with him. That game-changing speed makes him a difficult cover when combined with his body control and rapid acceleration and deceleration abilities, making him a great route runner.”
“Sadiq gains consistent separation in all areas of the field, with impressive short-area quickness and the flexibility to run routes like a receiver. At the catch point, Sadiq boxes out like a basketball player and his athleticism translates to his leaping ability, skying for some incredibly difficult catches.”
“After the catch is when Sadiq is at his most dangerous, as he gets up the field quickly and often surprises defenses with just how fast he is,” I continued. “He can make people miss in space as easily as run through them — or hurdle over them. Oregon would frequently throw him screen passes and let him go to work, picking up easy yards and even housing a few of them.”
“Sadiq put in the work this season to try to improve as a blocker, and for the most part, he did. He can hold his own on the end of the line and got a lot more reps as a traditional in-line tight end this season, though he’s still extremely effective from the slot.”
What Does the Pick Mean for the Rest of the Jets’ Draft?
With Sadiq and Texas Tech ED David Bailey in the fold, the Jets can turn their attention elsewhere. Linebacker is a potential concern, and there are a ton of great linebacker prospects projected to be available in the second round, including Texas’ Anthony Hill Jr. and Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez.
Additionally, wide receiver could still be in play, with prospects such as Connecticut’s Skyler Bell, Alabama’s Germie Bernard, and Louisville’s Chris Bell all quality receivers projected to be available at New York’s next pick.
Jets Draft Kenyon Sadiq: New York Adds ‘Freak Athlete’ Tight End