2026 NFL Draft Tight End Rankings

by Zak Drapeau

Sportz Nation - 3/19/2026

1. Kenyon Sadiq

6'3" - 245 lbs

Oregon

Big Board Rank: 6

Pro Comparison: Trey McBride

The last two years have seen Tyler Warren, Brock Bowers and Colston Loveland go in the first round and I'm not too sure Kenyon Sadiq isn't the best of the bunch. Certainly the best athlete, Sadiq put up one of the bets Combines of any Tight End in history and has shown to be a good enough athlete to line up inline, in the slot or even in the boundary as a receiver.

There are certainly concerns over his blocking ability at just 245 pounds but my concerns are less than others because of his drive. Not only quick and strong, Sadiq also blocks like his life depends on it and through the whistle. He won't ever be a consistent run blocking Tight End but he is good enough to compliment himself as a receiver where he may be the best in the class including the wideouts.

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2. Eli Stowers

6'4" - 239 lbs

Vanderbilt

Big Board Rank: 57

Pro Comparison: Ja'Tavion Sanders

Stowers is an impressive athlete with a good upside even if he'll need a few years and some good coaching to live up to it. Most likely a slot TE to start his career, Stowers holds a lot of the necessary agility and speed for the slot and doesn't have much or any of the strength or techniques to be inline at the NFL level.

Stowers set the record for highest vertical jump ever recorded at the Combine which is another reason I really like him in the slot but also as a Red Zone Threat. Truthfully, I think his career would be better if he just works with nutritionists and specialists to drop his weight to receiver-level but he could still carve up a decent receiving career no matter where.

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3. Max Klare

6'4" - 246 lbs

Ohio State

Big Board Rank: 84

Pro Comparison: Dawson Knox

Klare is in the same boat as Sadiq and Stowers as an undersized Tight End with blocking concerns but his fluidity as a pass catcher is solid. He has had problems with concentration drops but is usually secure and good with the ball afterwards.

Klare also had some durability concerns with a small frame and a history of ankle injuries. He passes the eye test and has a lot of athletic potential at the position but without the production we were waiting for form Klare I can't put him any higher.

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4. Sam Roush

6'6" - 267 lbs

Stanford

Big Board Rank: 130

Pro Comparison: Cade Otton

Roush is the best size and athleticism combination of the entire group and showed it at the combine with a 7.08 second 3-cone drill and a 38.5" vertical at 267 pounds. He also improved his production every season at Stanford which projects extremely well in the NFL.

The problem with Roush is that he's not as good a blocker as I'd expect at almost-270 pounds and has real concerns with his ability to separate from NFL Linebackers and Safeties. Roush could easily grow into a decent backup Tight End in the league but will need at least a year of coaching and experience to do so.

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5. Michael Trigg

6'4" - 240 lbs

Baylor

Big Board Rank: 135

Pro Comparison: Shades of Evan Engram

Trigg is an interesting story in the grand scheme of college football after seemingly coming out of nowhere to have a terrific 2025 season at Baylor. Trigg garnered most of his production from having one of the largest Combine-measured wingspans of any Tight End and knowing how to use it.

Trigg is a slot Tight End in the league and very likely nothing more due to his blocking inability. He also struggles with aggressive defenders at the point of contact or in press and will often drop the ball when being pushed around. If he can get into space he should be able to be used in the slot for most NFL teams but may be pigeon-holed there.

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6. Justin Joly

6'3" - 241 lbs

NC State

Big Board Rank: 137

Pro Comparison: Brevin Jordan

Joly is in the middle of the pack of these mid-range Tight Ends and isn't particularly good at anything but doesn't have many true weaknesses either. A slightly smaller frame that comes with strength concerns but actually has some of the best pass blocking in his entire class.

Joly isn't a sharp route runner and had some drops but did what he needed to do at NC State in terms of being an intermediate "stop-and-pop" pass catcher. He won't be breaking ankles either when separating but does enough to get open especially since he wins contested catches at a good rate.

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7. Jack Endries

6'5" - 245 lbs

Texas

Big Board Rank: 142

Pro Comparison: Slower Dalton Schultz

Endries is a good all-around Tight End who should have been Top-4 in his position group but came up very short in his season at Texas. After a solid sophomore season at California, Endries transferred to Texas and was supposed to be an elite Tight End to pair with Arch Manning but fell by the way side.

Able to get separated and make catches, Endries is a safety net but after the 2025 season might not be any more than that. A willing but weak blocker, Endries will never be much more than a receiving TE. More than that, Endries isn't a great athlete and can't really do much after the catch.

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-Z.D. (@DrapeauZak on Twitter)