Over and over throughout the last year — ever since the end of the 2025 NFL draft pretty much — one name has continued to pop up with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in regards to their 2026 first round pick.
That name is Kenyon Sadiq, the University of Oregon tight end who could very well step in and help take the top off of an offense that’s aging in some places and underachieving in others.
The biggest hurdle for the Buccaneers in landing Sadiq was, for most of the 2025 season, they appeared on track to win double-digit games until a late-season collapse saw them finish 8-9 overall and miss the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. now has the Buccaneers slotted to take Sadiq, 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, in the first round (No. 15 overall) of the 2026 NFL draft.
“The Buccaneers landed Emeka Egbuka in Round 1 last April, but don’t be surprised if they go back to the pass-catching well in 2026,” Kiper wrote in his first mock draft of the offseason. ” … What Tampa Bay needs is exactly what Sadiq would provide. He’s a big, 6-foot-3 target with explosive traits, making him a matchup nightmare for opponents. Mayfield could get him the ball in space to let him use his after-the-catch ability to move the sticks or fire jump balls to him in the back of the end zone. I really like this match.”
Breaking Down Bucs’ Offensive Skill Positions
For 2026, at least, the Buccaneers are set at quarterback with Baker Mayfield and at running back with Bucky Irving, although drafting depth at both positions wouldn’t be the worst idea.
Who Mayfield throws the ball to is much more in flux. Veteran wide receiver and likely future Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Evans is 32 years old and a free agent. Tight end Cade Otton is also a free agent who will likely land a deal somewhere else for more money than Tampa Bay is willing to pay him.
That still leaves plenty of talent behind at wide receiver, led by Egbuka and veteran Pro Bowler Chris Godwin.
Godwin signed a 3-year, $66 million contract before the 2025 season but struggled to return from an injury suffered in 2024 — him fully healthy should be a huge lift. Along with Jalen McMillan and Tez Johnson, that’s a more-than-competent group. They just need a tight end.
Sadiq Seems Like Perfect Fit for NFL Offenses
One thing to watch with Sadiq in the lead up to the draft will be his 40-yard dash time — if he chooses to run — because it could very well be in the range of 4.45 seconds.
Sadiq, an Idaho Falls, Idaho, native, split time with Los Angeles Chargers tight end Terrance Ferguson his first 2 seasons then came into his own in 2025 with 51 receptions for 560 yards and 8 touchdowns in 14 games on the way to being named Big Ten Tight End of the Year.
One thing the Buccaneers will also get with Sadiq is a true-blue winner. In 3 seasons playing for head coach Dan Lanning, the Ducks went 38-5 and made the College Football Playoff each of the last 2 seasons.
Buccaneers Predicted to Draft ‘Matchup Nightmare’ in First Round