This NFL Draft isn’t loaded at the top with the usual premium positions like quarterback and tackle, but there are still plenty of top prospects to choose from. The pass-catching group is one of the strengths of the 2026 class, and the infusion of talented offensive weapons will allow teams to give a big boost to their offenses in the draft.
While most of the top pass-catchers that will hear their name called during the first round are wide receivers, such as Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate and Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, there is one tight end that stands above the rest. Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq emerged as the top tight end in college football last season and is one of the most unique tight end prospects in recent memory, making him an easy first-round prospect.
While Sadiq is a little rough around the edges as a true tight end prospect, he has raw athleticism at his size that makes him an extremely enticing prospect. At 6-foot-3, 241 pounds, Sadiq posted ridiculous numbers at the NFL Combine. He recorded a bonkers 11-foot-1 broad jump and a blazing 4.39 40-yard dash. With a creative offensive coordinator and a good quarterback, Sadiq could be one of the most dynamic and productive rookies in the league next season.
The Baltimore Ravens fit the criteria as a perfect landing spot for Sadiq. The Ravens are picking higher than usual at No. 14 in this year’s draft and are going through a period of transition after firing John Harbaugh and hiring Jesse Minter as their new head coach.
Here are three reasons why Baltimore should be all-in on Sadiq at No. 14 if he’s still available.
Lamar Jackson needs more weapons
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The Ravens have been one of the best teams in the NFL since Lamar Jackson became the starting quarterback, and the former first-rounder has won a pair of NFL MVPs in the process. Some of that comes down to his own playoff shortcomings, but a lot of it is due to a lack of weapons around him as well.
It’s no secret that the Ravens have been looking for more pass catchers for a number of years now. Mark Andrews is still a reliable option and Zay Flowers is a solid starter at wide receiver. But Baltimore’s recent fliers on the likes of Odell Beckham Jr. and DeAndre Hopkins didn’t prove to be long-term solutions, and now it’s time to add another young cornerstone in that room.
Isaiah Likely is gone, so Sadiq would slot in as the No. 2 tight end right away behind Andrews on the depth chart. Adding the former Oregon star would allow the Ravens to still be a run-heavy team in 12 personnel with Derrick Henry in the backfield, but Sadiq would serve as a big-play option even out of those heavier sets. In more spread out sets, Sadiq can play away from the line of scrimmage due to his athleticism as well.
Sadiq won’t be asked to do too much right away
Tight end is one of the hardest positions for rookies to come in and play right away because of their dual responsibility as a receiver and a blocker within the complex NFL offenses. Oftentimes, rookie tight ends lag behind other players at different positions in their class because of the huge mental load that is put on them during their first season.
Baltimore is a perfect spot for Sadiq because he will still get playing time as the second tight end behind Mark Andrews, but Andrews can still be the every down player at that position while Sadiq gets acclimated with the Ravens offense. Having Andrews in the fold will allow Sadiq to come along at his own pace and pick things up without being completely overwhelmed. In the meantime, he will still have a role in the offense and chances to contribute.
Declan Doyle comes from a tight-end heavy offense in Chicago
A lot of attention is being paid to the offensive overhaul the Ravens are undergoing with Minter coming in as the new head coach, but Declan Doyle is also replacing Todd Monken as the offensive coordinator.
Doyle is relatively new to the scene and has never called his own offense before, but he just spent time with the Chicago Bears working under one of the best offensive minds in the NFL in Ben Johnson. It’s safe to assume that the Ravens’ offense in 2026 will look at least a little bit like the Bears’ offense from last season, which is good news for Sadiq.
Last season, the Bears operated out of 12 personnel at the sixth-highest rate in the league (32.64%), according to SumerSports. Colston Loveland, another rookie tight end, saw a ton of targets out of those looks while Cole Kmet got fed here and there as well.
As mentioned earlier, being the second tight end on the depth chart as a rookie has its benefits. However, still having a big role in the offense is important for a first-round pick, and the Ravens are set up to have a nice balance for Sadiq. This would be a home run pick if Baltimore makes it at No. 14.
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