The New York Jets, holding the No. 16 selection in the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night in Pittsburgh, opted against a trade-up despite being linked to several blue-chip prospects. After opening the night by selecting edge rusher David Bailey with the No. 2 overall pick, the Jets stayed at 16 and nabbed Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq, a player widely viewed as a potential trade-up target ahead of the draft.
Sadiq, 21, went nuclear this past season at Oregon, finishing with 51 receptions for 560 yards and eight touchdowns, leading all FBS tight ends in receiving touchdowns. Over his three-year college career, he recorded 80 catches, 892 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns. He also earned second-team All-American honors, Big Ten Tight End of the Year recognition, and was a finalist for the John Mackey Award.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Sadiq clocked a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, the fastest time ever by a tight end at the combine. Moreover, he also hit a 43.5-inch vertical jump, an 11-foot-1 broad jump, and 26 bench press reps.
In 2025, Sadiq split his usage between 331 slot snaps and 314 in-line snaps, while also logging 332 run-blocking snaps with a 66.3 PFF run-blocking grade, showcasing his two-way usage as a receiver and blocker. He joins a Jets tight end group featuring Mason Taylor (No. 42 overall in 2025) and Jeremy Ruckert (No. 101 overall in 2022), alongside quarterback Geno Smith and a run game led by Breece Hall.
The Ducks have now produced a first-round pick in seven consecutive NFL Drafts dating back to Justin Herbert in 2020. Sadiq is also only the fourth Oregon player ever drafted by New York, and the first since 2006.
The Jets have a history of selecting tight ends in the first round, including Johnny Mitchell (1992), Kyle Brady (1996), Anthony Becht (2000), and Dustin Keller (2008). New York also passed on other first-round considerations, such as Jordyn Tyson and Carnell Tate at No. 16, with the expectation that a future quarterback change could come in the 2027 draft.
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