Top 10 Tight End Prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft
Last Updated: June 01, 2026 | Source: Consensus rankings from 9 outletsThe 2026 tight end class is led by Kenyon Sadiq, Eli Stowers, Max Klare. Here's a breakdown of the top 10 prospects at the position, with scouting reports, measurables, and projected draft range.
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1. Kenyon Sadiq — Oregon
Consensus Rank: #17 overall | Projection: First round | Measurables: 6-3, 241.0 lbs, 4.39s 40, 31" armsKenyon Sadiq is the clear TE1 in the 2026 NFL Draft class-a versatile, athletic tight end whose combination of receiving ability and blocking prowess makes him a complete player at the position. At 6'5", 255 pounds after bulking up this summer, Sadiq has developed into Oregon's most reliable target and one of the most dynamic tight ends in college football. Originally recruited as a basketball player who also played football, Sadiq's athletic background shows in his movement skills, body control, and ability to create separation against linebackers and safeties.
Strengths: Elite athletic profile at 6'5" 255 lbs with basketball background ... Mismatch weapon who can align anywhere on the formation ... Excellent vertical athleticism to high-point contested catches Concerns: Concentration drops remain occasional issue-looks upfield before securing catch ... Narrower catch radius than some elite tight end prospects NFL Comparison: Pro Bowl-caliber TE projection Full scouting report for Kenyon Sadiq →---
2. Eli Stowers — Vanderbilt
Consensus Rank: #58 overall | Projection: Second round | Measurables: 6-3, 239.0 lbs, 4.51s 40, 32" armsThe road to elite tight end prospect isn't typically paved with quarterback cleats, but Eli Stowers has blazed an unconventional path to the NFL draft. A former four-star QB recruit and Texas 6A high jump state champion with a remarkable 7-foot clearance from Denton Guyer High School, Stowers initially landed at Texas A&M where he spent two seasons as a reserve signal-caller. His journey took a pivotal turn when he transferred to New Mexico State and transitioned to tight end, immediately showcasing natural receiving ability with 35 receptions for 366 yards and 2 touchdowns while earning Honorable Mention All-Conference USA honors.
Strengths: Electric vertical threat who decimates the seam with legit speed, forcing defensive coordinators to account for his presence on every snap - clocked at 21.43 MPH on GPS tracking ... Natural hands catcher who absorbs footballs cleanly, plucking missiles away from his frame even through contact ... Former QB background manifests in route intelligence, consistently finding soft spots and settling in zones with savvy beyond his positional experience Concerns: Severely undersized frame for traditional tight end duties at 6-4, 235 pounds, gets overwhelmed at point of attack against defensive ends who outweigh him by 50+ pounds ... Raw technician in blocking aspects who often loses leverage battles, allowing defenders to control him and disrupt running lanes NFL Comparison: Evan Engram Full scouting report for Eli Stowers →---
3. Max Klare — Ohio State
Consensus Rank: #71 overall | Projection: Day 2 | Measurables: 6-4, 246.0 lbs, 32" armsMax Klare is the preliminary TE1 in the 2026 NFL Draft class, bringing explosive athleticism and good hands to a position group that lacks elite talent. The 6'4", 240-pound Ohio State tight end transferred from Purdue after a productive career where he caught 51 passes and earned third-team All-Big Ten honors despite playing in an offense that struggled. The tape shows the best route-running tight end in the class-he has a natural feel for separating that translates directly to the NFL.
Strengths: Best route-running tight end in 2026 class ... Natural feel for separating from coverage ... Great overall athleticism creates windows Concerns: Blocking has been unreliable throughout career ... Work in progress as complete tight end NFL Comparison: Route-running specialist TE needing blocking development Full scouting report for Max Klare →---
4. Oscar Delp — Georgia
Consensus Rank: #100 overall | Projection: Day 2 | Measurables: 6-5, 245.0 lbs, 4.49s 40, 31" armsOscar Delp is an athletic, alignment-versatile tight end prospect from Georgia with rare physical tools but limited production volume. A four-star recruit from West Forsyth High School in Cumming, Georgia (class of 2022), Delp has been developing behind NFL talents like Darnell Washington and Brock Bowers. His career includes 50 catches for 593 yards and eight touchdowns through three seasons at Georgia, with his 2024 campaign marking his emergence as the primary tight end.
Strengths: Explosive athlete with rare speed for the position that creates vertical threat capability ... Alignment versatility as a chameleon who excels in-line, slot, and flexed wide creating matchup problems ... Smooth mover with fluid hips allowing him to sink and accelerate out of breaks cleanly Concerns: Lacks traditional mass at 245 pounds creating clear mismatche's against NFL defensive fronts ... Limited production volume raises concerns about readiness for featured role (never exceeded 300 yards or 4 TDs in a season) NFL Comparison: Modern receiving tight end similar to Darnell Washington and Brock Bowers pipeline at Georgia Full scouting report for Oscar Delp →---
5. Sam Roush — Stanford
Consensus Rank: #100 overall | Projection: Day 2 | Measurables: 6-6, 267.0 lbs, 4.70s 40, 30" armsRoush is a versatile athlete with good speed and developing skills at multiple positions. His athleticism and motor make him effective in various roles. Shows good instincts and the ability to make plays when opportunities arise.
Strengths: Good speed ... athleticism ... versatility Concerns: Position unclear ... needs to define role Full scouting report for Sam Roush →---
6. Michael Trigg — Baylor
Consensus Rank: #102 overall | Projection: Day 3 | Measurables: 6-3, 240.0 lbs, 34" armsMichael Trigg has blossomed into one of the most productive tight end prospects in the 2026 class during his fifth collegiate season at Baylor, setting a program single-game record for tight ends with a 155-yard performance against Kansas State. Listed at 6-4, 240 pounds, Trigg is a lean tight end who spends most of his time in the slot creating mismatche's at the short-to-intermediate levels rather than serving as a traditional in-line blocker. After earning Second-Team All-Big 12 honors in 2024 with 30 catches for 395 yards and three touchdowns, Trigg has already surpassed those career highs through just six weeks of 2025, accumulating 439 yards on 29 receptions with four touchdowns.
Strengths: Elite production trajectory with 439 yards and 4 TDs through 6 weeks in 2025, already surpassing 2024 career highs of 30 catches for 395 yards ... Set Baylor single-game tight end record with 155 yards vs Kansas State, showcasing explosive playmaking ability and big-play threat ... Creates favorable mismatche's working from slot alignment where size advantage over cornerbacks and speed advantage over linebackers allows separation Concerns: Lean 240-pound frame raises concerns about ability to serve as in-line blocker against NFL edge rushers and linebackers ... Spends most time in slot rather than traditional Y tight end role, limiting positional versatility and making him scheme-specific weapon Full scouting report for Michael Trigg →---
7. Justin Joly — NC State
Consensus Rank: #111 overall | Projection: Day 3 | Measurables: 6-3, 241.0 lbs, 32" armsJustin Joly has established himself as one of the most productive and physical tight ends in the 2026 NFL Draft class, earning the reputation as a "bully" who wins contested catches at a ridiculous clip. The Brewster, New York native began his career at UConn as a 215-pound tweener between receiver and tight end before transferring to NC State where his game fully blossomed. Joly's freshman year at UConn brought modest production with 18 catches for 250 yards and two touchdowns, but his sophomore campaign saw the metamorphosis accelerate-56 catches for 578 yards announced his arrival as a legitimate receiving threat.
Strengths: Wins contested catches at elite clip ... Physical receiver comfortable taking hits ... 15.4 YPC in 2024-4th best among FBS tight ends Concerns: Blocking inconsistency at point of attack ... Not consistently effective in run game NFL Comparison: Jonnu Smith (physical receiving TE) Full scouting report for Justin Joly →---
8. Eli Raridon — Notre Dame
Consensus Rank: #132 overall | Projection: Day 3 | Measurables: 6-6, 245.0 lbs, 4.62s 40, 32" armsEli Raridon's path to the 2026 NFL Draft is a story of resilience, legacy, and untapped potential. The 6'7", 251-pound tight end is the son of former Notre Dame offensive lineman Scott Raridon, and he grew up around Fighting Irish football before following his father's footsteps to South Bend. Raridon arrived as a four-star recruit from Valley High School in West Des Moines, Iowa, where he caught 53 passes for 627 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior while earning Elite All-Iowa recognition.
Strengths: Exceptional height at 6'7" with impressive arm length ... Creates attention on seam routes drawing extra defenders ... Surprisingly sharp route cuts for his size Concerns: Two right ACL injuries (2022 HS season, October 2022) ... High-cut frame needs lower-body development NFL Comparison: Kyle Pitts (developmental upside athlete TE) Full scouting report for Eli Raridon →---
9. Nate Boerkircher — Texas A&M
Consensus Rank: #146 overall | Projection: Day 3 | Measurables: 6-5, 245.0 lbs, 4.78s 40, 32" armsNate Boerkircher is a blocking-first tight end from Texas A&M who has more in the tank as a route-runner than expected for a developmental prospect. A former walk-on at Nebraska who transferred to Texas A&M as a 3-star prospect Boerkircher caught 19 passes for 198 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2025 in a limited receiving role but showed intriguing offensive upside beyond the stat line. At 6-4 and 250 pounds he plays with a finisher's mentality lining up blocks on the move with focused accuracy and is not afraid to knock defenders off their feet with determination.
Strengths: Finisher's mentality lining up blocks with focused accuracy and determination ... Excellent zone acumen settling into vacated space as reliable option ... Reliable pass-catcher attacking the ball with his hands consistently Concerns: Lacks pop at the point of attack as in-line blocker ... Allows defenders into his chest to control engagement NFL Comparison: Daniel Bellinger Full scouting report for Nate Boerkircher →---
10. Jack Endries — Texas
Consensus Rank: #156 overall | Projection: Day 3 | Measurables: 6-4, 245.0 lbs, 4.62s 40, 31" armsJack Endries has transitioned from a slot-heavy role at Cal to primarily serving as an in-line blocker and H-back for Texas, adapting his skill set to fit the Longhorns' offensive scheme demands. Listed at 6-4, 236 pounds, Endries is undersized for a traditional in-line tight end position, which limits his projection as an every-down NFL tight end but makes him an intriguing Swiss Army knife weapon in subpackages that vary alignments and tasks. His 2024 usage at Cal saw him take the majority of snaps in the slot, showcasing receiving versatility and route-running ability that remains valuable for NFL offensive coordinators seeking movable chess pieces.
Strengths: Positional versatility to line up as in-line blocker, H-back, slot receiver, and move tight end provides offensive coordinators flexibility in personnel packages ... Experience at two major programs (Cal, Texas) demonstrates adaptability to different offensive schemes and ability to master multiple roles ... ESPN recognition as under-the-radar NFL draft prospect validates legitimate NFL tools and potential despite modest statistical production Concerns: Undersized at 6-4, 236 pounds for traditional in-line tight end role limits effectiveness as primary blocker against NFL edge rushers and linebackers ... Positional identity questions - lacks elite traits as pure receiver or pure blocker, making him tweener without clear NFL role Full scouting report for Jack Endries →---