Here are the complete 2026 TE Prospects scouting reports with strengths, weaknesses, film breakdowns, and NFL upside for every top tight end in the class. From explosive athletic weapons like Kenyon Sadiq to reliable inline blockers like Jack Endries and high-upside hybrids like Eli Stowers, we break down everything you need to know in plain English so you can see exactly who fits what scheme and how high they should go in the draft.
Quick Summary Kenyon Sadiq is the clear No. 1 tight end in the 2026 draft class. This Oregon junior is an explosive, athletic mismatch nightmare who dominated as a receiving threat in 2025 while showing noticeable improvement as a blocker. He led all Power conference tight ends in yards after catch and forced missed tackles, turning short throws into chunk gains. He’s a true three-down weapon who can stretch the field, win in the red zone, and contribute in the run game. I give him a 9.1/10 grade, a potential Pro Bowl tight end right away.
Awards/Honors
2025 John Mackey Award Finalist
2025 First-Team All-Pac-12
2025 Unanimous All-American
2026 Senior Bowl Participant
Year
School
Games
Rec
Rec Yds
Avg
TDs
Long
2023*
Oregon
14
5
24
4.8
1
9
2024
Oregon
14
24
308
12.8
2
39
2025*
Oregon
14
51
560
11.0
8
30
Career
42
80
892
11.2
11
39
An asterisk (*) indicates bowl stats are included. Bold season totals indicate player led conference.
Strengths
Elite athleticism and speed for the position (4.39 forty, 43.5″ vertical)
Outstanding hands and yards-after-catch ability
Big-play threat down the seam and in space
Improved inline blocking in 2025
Red-zone mismatch nightmare
Weaknesses / Concerns
Still developing consistent inline blocking technique
Can get high in his pads after the catch at times
Occasional drops on contested throws
Needs to add a bit more bulk for NFL trenches
Route Running & Hands
Smooth, fluid route runner who creates easy separation
Excellent body control and contested-catch ability
Attacks the middle of the field with confidence
Natural hands — rarely drops easy throws
Blocking & Run Game
Willing and improving inline blocker
Seals the edge effectively in outside zone
Strong in the run game when asked to chip
2025 showed noticeable improvement in physicality
Draft Projection & Final Grade
Overall Grade: 9.1 / 10 (Consensus TE1 in the class)
Best Case: Immediate starter and Pro Bowl candidate
Floor: High-end starter with 10+ year career
Film Notes
vs. Ohio State 2025: 112 yards and 2 TDs. Showed elite separation and YAC.
vs. Michigan 2025: Multiple contested catches and a 48-yard touchdown.
Red-zone work: Multiple TDs on back-shoulder and seam routes.
Screen game: Turned short throws into big gains with athleticism.
Blocking vs. USC: Strong seal blocks on the edge.
NFL Comparison Reminds me of a faster, more athletic version of Travis Kelce with the same mismatch ability.
Quick Summary Eli Stowers is the clear No. 2 tight end in the 2026 draft class. This Vanderbilt senior (former QB convert) is a big, physical hybrid TE who dominated as a receiving threat in 2025 while showing strong blocking flashes. He won the John Mackey Award and led all tight ends in several efficiency metrics. He’s a versatile three-down weapon who can line up in-line or in the slot. I give him an 8.8/10 grade, a high-floor Day 1 starter with Pro Bowl upside.
Awards/Honors
2025 John Mackey Award Winner
2025 First-Team All-SEC
2026 Senior Bowl Participant
Year
School
Games
Rec
Rec Yds
Avg
TDs
Long
2023*
New Mexico State
15
35
366
10.5
2
32
2024*
Vanderbilt
13
49
638
13.0
5
41
2025*
Vanderbilt
12
62
769
12.4
4
67
Career
45
146
1,773
12.1
11
67
An asterisk (*) indicates bowl stats are included. Bold season totals indicate player led conference.
Strengths
Big frame with elite athleticism (45.5″ vertical at Combine)
Outstanding YAC and physicality after the catch
Versatile, can line up in-line or in the slot
Improved blocking in 2025
Red-zone weapon
Weaknesses / Concerns
Still raw as a pure in-line blocker
Can be inconsistent in contested situations
Limited route-tree variety at times
Route Running & Hands
Natural hands and strong contested-catch ability
Excellent body control and spacing
Attacks the seams effectively
Reliable on quick outs and slants
Blocking & Run Game
Willing and physical in-line blocker
Strong at the point of attack
Seals the edge well in outside zone
2025 showed clear improvement in run-game physicality
Draft Projection & Final Grade
Overall Grade: 8.8 / 10 (Top-2 TE in the class)
Best Case: Immediate starter and Pro Bowl candidate
Floor: High-end starter with 10+ year career
Film Notes
vs. Texas 2025: 137 yards and 2 TDs. Dominated in the slot.
vs. Auburn 2025: 122 yards. Showed YAC and contested catches.
Red-zone work: Several TDs on fade and seam routes.
Blocking vs. Florida: Strong seal blocks on the edge.
NFL Comparison Reminds me of a bigger, stronger version of a young Dallas Goedert with the same YAC ability.
Quick Summary Jack Endries is the clear No. 3 tight end in the 2026 draft class. This Texas junior (transfer from Cal) is a traditional inline tight end with reliable hands, strong blocking, and good route running. He was a security blanket for Texas’ offense in 2025 and showed steady production. We give him an 8.3/10 grade — a safe Day 2 starter with high floor.
Awards/Honors
2025 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention
Year
School
Games
Rec
Rec Yds
Avg
TDs
Long
2023*
California
13
35
407
11.6
2
32
2024*
California
13
56
623
11.1
2
57
2025*
Texas
13
33
346
10.5
3
54
Career
39
124
1,376
11.1
7
57
An asterisk (*) indicates bowl stats are included. Bold season totals indicate player led conference.
Strengths
Reliable hands and consistent production
Strong in-line blocker
Good route runner for an inline TE
High football IQ and toughness
Weaknesses / Concerns
Average athleticism and speed
Limited YAC ability
Can struggle vs elite edge rushers
Route Running & Hands
Clean, efficient routes
Strong hands on contested throws
Reliable on quick outs and seams
Blocking & Run Game
Excellent in-line blocker
Strong at the point of attack
Seals the edge consistently
Draft Projection & Final Grade
Overall Grade: 8.3 / 10
Film Notes
Vs. Oklahoma 2025: Multiple key blocks and 85 yards receiving.
Red-zone work: Several TDs on fade routes.
NFL Comparison Reminds me of a young Hunter Henry with the same reliability and blocking.
Quick Summary Max Klare is the clear No. 4 tight end in the 2026 draft class. This Ohio State junior (transfer from Purdue) is a smooth, pro-ready receiving TE with separation, reliability, and all-around utility. He carved out a nice role in a loaded Buckeyes offense in 2025. We give him an 8.1/10 grade — a high-upside Day 2 pick.
Awards/Honors
2025 All-Big Ten Honorable Mention
Year
School
Games
Rec
Rec Yds
Avg
TDs
Long
2022*
Purdue
2
0
0
0.0
0
0
2023
Purdue
5
22
196
8.9
0
27
2024
Purdue
12
51
685
13.4
4
62
2025
Ohio State
14
43
448
10.4
2
39
Career
33
116
1,329
11.5
6
62
An asterisk (*) indicates bowl stats are included. Bold season totals indicate player led conference.
Strengths
Smooth route runner with excellent separation
Reliable hands and contested-catch ability
Good YAC for his size
Versatile — can line up in-line or in the slot
Weaknesses / Concerns
Still developing blocking technique
Can be inconsistent vs physical defenders
Limited explosive athleticism
Route Running & Hands
Fluid mover who finds soft spots in zone
Excellent body control and hands
Attacks the seams effectively
Blocking & Run Game
Improving inline blocker
Strong at the point of attack
Seals the edge well
Draft Projection & Final Grade
Overall Grade: 8.1 / 10
Film Notes
vs. Purdue tape (prior year): Showed full-field utility and advanced body control.
Multiple games at Ohio State: Solid slot and in-line production.
NFL Comparison Reminds me of a smoother, more reliable version of a young Pat Freiermuth.
Quick Summary Oscar Delp is the clear No. 5 tight end in the 2026 draft class. This Georgia senior is a classic SEC in-line tight end with enough athletic juice to matter in the passing game and enough sand in his pants to hold up as a true Y. He was a key part of Georgia’s offense in 2025 and showed steady production. We give him an 8.0/10 grade, a safe Day 2 starter with high floor.
Awards/Honors
2025 All-SEC Honorable Mention
Year
School
Games
Rec
Rec Yds
Avg
TDs
Long
2022*C
Georgia
13
5
61
12.2
1
28
2023*
Georgia
14
24
284
11.8
3
41
2024
Georgia
14
21
248
11.8
4
43
2025
Georgia
14
20
261
13.1
1
36
Career
55
70
854
12.2
9
43
An asterisk (*) indicates bowl stats are included. Bold season totals indicate player led conference.
Strengths
Reliable hands and consistent production
Strong in-line blocker
Good route runner for an inline TE
High football IQ and toughness
Weaknesses / Concerns
Average athleticism and speed
Limited YAC ability
Can struggle vs elite edge rushers
Route Running & Hands
Clean, efficient routes
Strong hands on contested throws
Reliable on quick outs and seams
Blocking & Run Game
Excellent in-line blocker
Strong at the point of attack
Seals the edge consistently
Draft Projection & Final Grade
Overall Grade: 8.0 / 10
Film Notes
vs. Alabama 2025: Multiple key blocks and solid receiving contributions.
NFL Comparison Reminds me of a young Hunter Henry with the same reliability and blocking.
