Glenn: Sadiq is going to be a huge weapon

Head coach Aaron Glenn said after practice that Sadiq’s absence was due to maintenance after the rookie underwent offseason hernia surgery. We don’t know if the plan is to give Sadiq these rest days throughout camp or just in the early portion, but fantasy managers shouldn’t be alarmed by an occasional DNP. Barring any reports of a setback, Sadiq appears to be in good shape to be available for Week 1, and he’s expected to take on a significant role early on for Glenn and the new-look Jets.

This is more of an update than breaking news. It was reported in May that Sadiq underwent minor hernia surgery and was expected to be ready by camp, and it doesn’t appear anything has changed a month later. The rookie did not participate in OTAs and minicamp and will be behind entering camp, per Jets OC Frank Reich, but they have a plan to get him up to speed once he returns. The Jets used the No. 16 overall pick on Sadiq in this year’s draft, hoping his elite athleticism and 4.39 speed can add another element to an offense that finished 29th in scoring last season. How the Jets plan to use Sadiq in his rookie season will determine his fantasy outlook, but he could turn into a solid late-round value if he factors into the passing game early on.

Per Glenn, the Jets knew about this issue before the draft, so it doesn’t come as a surprise to the team. Still, it’s a slight concern that Sadiq will miss some valuable reps during the offseason program. If he is full-go for camp, this won’t be much of an issue, but there is now some injury-related risk with the rookie tight end. Sadiq will likely open his career in a timeshare with 2025 second-round pick Mason Taylor. For now, fantasy managers should treat Sadiq as a high-upside TE2.

Sadiq, 21, posted a 52/568/8 receiving line in his third and final season at Oregon before clocking a record-setting 4.39-second 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine. He should operate as the Jets’ primary receiving tight end in year one, while second-year TE Mason Taylor handles blocking duties. It could be tough for Sadiq to produce as a fantasy TE1 as a rookie if he is limited to playing in 12 personnel, but training camp reports should clarify his expected usage. Sadiq’s $22.3 million contract is fully guaranteed.

Per Fowler, Jets TE Kenyon Sadiq “was also believed to be part of the Rams’ first-round conversation at some point,” along with Cowboys S Caleb Downs. Both the former USC wide receiver and the former Oregon tight end were available when the Rams were on the clock. The former Ohio State safety was taken two picks earlier. The Rams are slated to pick 29th in Rounds 2 and 3 today. Given their interest in Lemon, a slot/Z-receiver, and Sadiq, a receiving tight end, it would be unsurprising to see them draft a pass catcher today.

Sadiq (6’3/241) backed up fellow NFL tight end Terrence Ferguson as an underclassman. Even then, it was clear he was going to be the Ducks’ next star. Sadiq posted 308 yards as a sophomore, but did so while averaging over 10 yards after the catch per reception. He then took over for an NFL-bound Ferguson and went for 568 yards and eight scores on 52 grabs as a true junior. Sadiq didn’t dominate his team’s targets, but he blew by unsuspecting defenders with ease almost every week. He finished second among all tight ends in gains of 20-plus yards, of which he had 13. Sadiq’s slot-only size could have been an issue for some NFL teams, but he silenced the doubters at the NFL Combine with a record-setting 40-yard dash of 4.39 seconds. Sadiq is a competent blocker but nothing more. We wouldn’t expect his NFL team to ask him to block that often anyway. Because of his game-breaking speed, Vernon Davis is the common NFL comparison for Sadiq. Though Davis entered the NFL with 13 pounds over Sadiq, it’s still one of the only applicable comps out there.

Person said the Panthers, who hold the 19th pick in the 2026 draft, could target two Oregon players: Sadiq, who had 51 receptions for 560 yards and eight touchdowns in his final collegiate season, and safety Dillon Thieneman, one of the most sought-after secondary options in this year’s draft. The team would likely have to trade up to make sure they have a shot at Sadiq, who would join Tommy Tremble and Ja’Tavion Sanders in the Carolina tight end room if he lands with the Panthers. The Panthers in 2025 targeted the tight end position at a 21 percent clip, the seventh lowest mark in the NFL. “Could that change with Brad Idzik taking over the play calling and the addition of offensive specialist Darrell Bevell, who was in Seattle with Canales when the Seahawks traded for All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham?” Person said. “Possibly.” Sadiq, who ranks 11th in yards per route run among tight ends in the 2026 draft class, would probably be a rotational player in Carolina.

Ravens team reporter Ryan Mink adds that although TE Mark Andrews posted a career-low 422 receiving yards last season, “the Ravens see a rebound in 2026.” DeCosta’s comments could indicate otherwise, though the team lost TEs Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar in free agency. Mink also notes that the Ravens have picked two tight ends in the same draft four times in franchise history: 2022, 2018, 2015 and 2010. DeCosta has been with the Ravens for his whole career, dating back to 1996, and the strategy has worked well for the organization. Mink believes replacing Likely with a receiving tight end could be viewed as a need in the short term. He lists 10 potential draftees, including Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq, Ohio State TE Max Klare, Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers, Baylor TE Michael Trigg and NC State TE Justin Joly.

Stowers, who won the Mackey Award in 2025 after catching 62 balls for 769 yards and four touchdowns at Vanderbilt, has gained a little bit of steam ahead of the 2026 draft. He’s widely expected to be the second tight end off the draft board after Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq. Evan Engram’s role in the Denver offense would become an uncertain one if the Broncos invest significant draft capital in Stowers, whose statistical and efficiency profiles are far superior to the hyper-athletic Sadiq. Stowers has also made pre-draft visits with the Cowboys, Rams, and Titans.

The Buccaneers have reportedly “keyed in” on tight end and defensive end as positional options in the first round. The Buccaneers re-signed TE Cade Otton to a three-year, $30 million contract this offseason. He is not a high-end receiving tight end, but he could eat into Sadiq’s snap share as a blocker. The receiving corps is currently in flux, though. There are worse landing spots for Sadiq.