McGinn 2026 Draft Series - Part 2: TE

[Risen Star]

The recent proliferation of tight ends on NFL playing fields carried over to their unprecedented participation at the scouting combine earlier this year.

Not too many years ago tight ends were few and far between as the 330-some combine invitees went through their paces in Indianapolis. That changed dramatically in February when 27 tight ends, six more than ever before, drew invitations to appear at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The increase wasn’t the result of this being an exceptional crop of tight ends. It’s just an average group.

Instead, National Football Scouting, the combine that administers the event for the NFL, probably reacted after watching more and more teams using more and more tight ends.

“This position is exploding, without a doubt,” an executive in personnel said. “The number of multiple tight ends on Power 4 teams is incredible. They’re being used with three, four, five per team getting significant playing time. They play on an edge, at a wing, as a fullback.”

Besides the 27 tight ends, the total of 319 participants included 46 wide receivers and just 21 running backs. Contrast that to 2005, when there were 41 wide receivers, 35 running backs and merely 14 tight ends.

Seven of those running backs 20 years ago were categorized as fullbacks. That position no longer carries a specific designation by NFS largely because few teams carry a fullback.

For years, the base offensive set in the NFL consisted of two backs, one tight end and two wide receivers. It shifted to one back, one tight end and three wideouts, which remains the most frequently used today. But now, with the run game moving back into vogue, the so-called “12” personnel with one back, two tight ends and two wideouts has become all the rage. Even “13” personnel, with three tight ends, has gained traction due in large part to the Rams’ success with it.

“You need two and teams have got three and four on their 53 and two on practice squad,” the scout said. “It’s just how the game is being played now. They’re trying to create mismatches and force you into whatever defensive personnel they want to get you into with all these extra tight ends.”

The number of tight ends drafted has remained fairly steady. The total of 75 that were selected in the last five years compares to the 66 drafted from 2016-’20.

Tight ends in the first round have remained consistent since the position came into its own in the 1960s. The record for tight ends in the first round is three, which happened five times; there have been 19 years when none were selected in Round 1.

Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq, whose 4.32 hand-held clocking at the combine was one of the fastest ever by a tight end in the 40-yard dash, leads the way.

“It’s not quite as strong this year,” said one executive. “Last year there were two drafted in the first round, three in the second and one in the third. This year you’ll have maybe one in the first, possibly one in the second and maybe one or two in the third. But there’s a lot of players.”

 

[Risen Star]

TIGHT ENDS

1. KENYON SADIQ, Oregon (6-3, 243, 4.32, 1-2): Third-year junior. “I would take him wherever … in the top 15,” said one scout.

“Just physical and can run. He’s put together really well even though lengthwise he’s not prototype. Very athletic in space. I thought they underused him. The quarterback (Dante Moore) struggled getting him the ball. Serviceable as a blocker. Can do the wing and motion stuff. Evan Engram is the guy I used to describe him.” Just five catches as a true freshman in 2023 and 24 in 2024 before becoming a starter last year and hauling in 51. “Before this year you could tell he was just learning the position,” a second scout said. “The primary way they would get him the ball was on screens and short passes. He was kind of a gadget guy. Lot of catch-and-run plays. This year they finally pushed him downfield with all of his speed and he had some deep-ball catches. He can really sky for the ball. He made some spectacular catches. He had six drops this year. It’s interesting. He really wasn’t a big factor in the offense. When you watched him against press-man coverage or even off he didn’t really have a feel for how to get open despite all this upside and athletic ability and speed. He’s coming. He’s got to keep getting better. What he’s capable of is just spectacular, it really is. I just don’t think he’s as ready to play as (Eli) Stowers.” Besides his fabulous 40, his combine performance included a vertical jump of 43 ½ inches, a broad jump of 11-1 and a bench press of 26 reps. “I don’t think he’s Brock Bowers,” a third scout said. “It’s not the tight-end class like the last couple years. He’s a freaky athlete. He’s not a big, long guy. Kind of a short, compact guy. The hands are above average. The route detail is average to above.” Finished with 80 receptions for 892 yards (11.2-yard average) and 11 touchdowns. His 51 receptions in 2025 were the most ever by a Ducks tight end. “Looks like a big wide receiver,” said a fourth scout. “He’s a little possession H-back. He’ll make some splash plays within their system because they do all that (short) stuff and the next thing you know he’s running free. You just don’t see great separation or explosiveness. As a blocker he tries, but he’s (small). This guy isn’t Harold Fannin. He knew how to get open and catch the ball. This guy’s not close to Fannin.” Four-star recruit from Idaho Falls, Id. Chicago’s Colston Loveland, the first tight end taken in 2025 at No. 10, also hails from Idaho (Gooding). “I love everything about him but I wish his hands were better,” a fifth scout said. “He has a lot of drops. Other than that, and that’s kind of a big thing, I like him a lot. What’s nice, too, is he isn’t a bad blocker. Yeah, he’s pretty good at it. You wish he was taller for the position but a receiving tight end that can get into people and block ‘em is good.”

2. ELI STOWERS, Vanderbilt (6-3 ½, 241, 4.50, 2): A 7-foot state high-jump champion in Texas, he put on a show at the combine with a vertical jump of 45 ½ and a broad jump of 11-3. The vertical jump was unheard of for a tight end and the broad jump also led the position this year. “He crushed the drills and ran crazy fast,” one scout said. “He’s a better receiver than Sadiq as far as movement and hands. He just has a better catch radius and hands than Sadiq. Neither one will give you much blocking. Stowers’ catching is what caught my eye. He’s got long-*** arms (32 5/8 inches) and he’s tall. He can catch. If somebody’s covering him he can still just go out fast and get the ball. I don’t see that in Sadiq.” Four-star recruit as a quarterback. Played QB for two years at Texas A&M without throwing a pass before shoulder injuries and opportunity prompted his move to TE at New Mexico State in 2023. Caught 35 passes for the Aggies with Diego Pavia at quarterback, then followed him to Vanderbilt in 2024-’25. “He was super hungry in 2024,” a second scout said. “He almost beat Alabama singlehandedly. I think he saw it as a chance to play in the SEC and show people what he had. This year he didn’t show that hunger until later on in the year. They got away from using him as a blocker and I don’t think it helped his game necessarily. He got out of the flow a little bit. There’s not a whole lot he can’t do. He definitely can block in space. He has shown he’s more than tough enough. He has really skilled eyes and hands. He can run after the catch. I think everybody feels he’s too small to play tight end but I don’t see that. I see a guy maturing into a role. I mean, he was a quarterback. I’d say he’s a top-50 player, for sure. To me, he’s a top 25.” Finished with 146 catches for 1,773 (12.1) and 11 TDs. “He’s intriguing,” a third scout said. “He’s more of a glorified wide receiver disguised as a tight end. I think he’ll make it somewhere. He could go second or third round because he tested well but he’s not going to be much of a blocker.” Won the William V. Campbell Trophy, which often is referred to as the academic Heisman. “Really, really athletic,” a fourth scout said. “That’s kind of his calling card. He’s a smooth athlete, runs well, has good receiving skills. Pretty poor blocker. He’s a quarterback converted to tight end so that kind of tells you where the blocking’s going to be. I thought third round but he may go higher than that.” From Denton, Texas.

3. MAX KLARE, Ohio State (6-4 ½, 246, no 40, 3-4): Played three seasons at Purdue, backing up as a freshman in 2022 before starting 16 of 17 games in 2023-’24 and then going to Ohio State in ’25. “He probably should have stayed at Purdue,” one scout said. “When he was there he kind of lit it up. He got in there (at Ohio State) with a crowded group of tight ends. Most of them were better (blockers). Not that he’s not willing. He’s just not that powerful. He didn’t get the ball much early. He goes in the second or third. He won’t run that well. He’s got the skillset. He’s a good route runner. He can create separation. He’s got really good hands. He’s a really savvy player. I just don’t think he’s going to change a team.” Suffered a broken ankle in 2023 and missed seven games. In all, he caught 116 passes for 1,329 (11.5) and six TDs. “He runs the same route over and over,” a second scout said. “They run a little delay drag route. That’s pretty much where he gets all his production from. Not a natural hands catcher. He’s got easy drops. If you’re that kind of guy you better have great hands. He doesn’t. As a blocker, you’re not getting much from him at all. They had two other guys (Will Kacmarek, Bennett Christian) that did the blocking so he just goes and hangs out with the receivers. They don’t even put him in the mix to do it. He’s a supposed receiving-type tight end who doesn’t catch the ball well and doesn’t really make any big plays or get open well. I didn’t see much there.” Comes from a football family: his father, brother, grandfather and two uncles all played collegiately. “He’s got the genetics,” said a third scout. “He’s more of a work-in-progress guy. I comped him with (Luke) Schoonmaker, who played at Michigan. They used him as a motion and move guy and on whams and kickouts, and I think that’s going to be his forte at the next level, too. He’s not that great blocking but a lot of these guys aren’t. I liked the way he moved around.” Three-star recruit from Guilford, Ind. “He can get himself into the mix,” said a fourth scout. “I don’t think the year went as well for him as expected but I think he’s still going to get there.”

4. JUSTIN JOLY, North Carolina State (6-3 ½, 243, no 40, 3-4): Said one scout: “He reminds me of a poor man’s Sadiq. They’re both kind of chiseled, strong, muscular.” Caught 74 passes at Connecticut in 2022-’23 and 92 more for the Wolfpack in 2024-’25. “Kind of a squattier body but he’s a guy that can block and he can catch, and he’s pretty fast,” said a second scout. “He can get down the seams. You want a guy a little bit taller. He’s kind of a fullback-tight end. He can win blocking man on the line of scrimmage. He works to finish. Third round.” Finished with 166 catches for 1,978 (11.9) and 15 TDs. “What a great set of legs,” said a third scout. “He was listed once at 260. I can imagine that with the legs. Man, is he cut up lower body. His upper body isn’t to the same proportion. Good football player. Just undersized. Has a little bit of tightness sometimes getting away from coverage or getting into his route. He’s got outstanding speed. I think he’s a starter at F. He’ll do the dirty blocking. He’ll go after the ball and catch in a crowd.” From Brewster, N.Y. “He looks more like an H-back but he doesn’t have the toughness to play H-back,” a fourth scout said. “He fancies himself like Tony Gonzalez or Travis Kelce, like this legit receiver. He’s a functional receiver but not good enough to get away with his lack of blocking. F tight ends, a lot of them aren’t great blockers. This guy did improve as a senior but as a junior he was total horse****. He turned stuff down. He’s not a vertical field threat. His speed is just average. He does have a little bit of run after the catch because he’s got a knack and instincts. Somebody will think they can scheme him. He does have some upside as a receiver.”

5. MARLIN KLEIN, Michigan (6-6, 249, 4.71, 4): Growing up in Cologne, Germany, he played soccer and basketball. At age 15, he informed his parents that he wanted to play football. They moved to Georgia, and he developed quickly into a legitimate prospect. “He played the F and the Y,” one scout said. “He can use his head and shoulders to create separation. He has enough seam speed, good hands, can track (the ball), can bend. Good position blocker but lacks that blocking strength.” Spent his first two years hardly playing behind Luke Schoonmaker, AJ Barner, Erick All and Colston Loveland. Served as the No. 2 behind Loveland in 2024 before starting last season. Missed two games early in the season with an ankle injury and returned in limited form until November. Finished with 38 catches for 364 (9.6) and one TD. “Depth-level player,” a second scout said. “I’d be surprised if he got drafted.” Four-star recruit. Three-time All-Big Ten academic honoree.

 

[Risen Star]

6. MICHAEL TRIGG, Baylor (6-3 ½, 240, no 40, 4-5): Played seven games at USC in 2021, 10 games (six starts) at Mississippi from 2022-’23 and 22 games (16 starts) at Baylor from 2024-’25. “He’s one of those guys that either is gonna make it or he’s gonna go bust,” said one scout. “He flunked out (of Ole Miss). He could go anywhere (in the draft). Somebody’s going to see something they like and has a coach that thinks he can get it out of him … sees the highlights and this is his best, and we’ll travel with the best.” His arms measured 34 ¼, longest at the position. “He made some great catches that would fill up two to three minutes of his highlights,” the scout said. “He is the prototype new-age tight end. He’s a highlight reel waiting to happen as far as catching the ball down the seam. Marginal blocker. He’s got some issues in his past. He got suspended for a game a year ago and then kind of turned it around (in 2025). They had nothing but high marks for him this year as far as being a teammate. I saw him warm up and he didn’t do a thing. Not one thing. I thought, ‘This guy’s a dog.’ Then he comes out in the first series and makes an unbelievable catch for a touchdown. That’s kind of who he is, though. He’s gonna be a fringe guy that’s gonna have to toe the line. He’s going to have to put on some weight. He’s actually a big wide receiver. He doesn’t block worth beans. He comes across the split zones and he just throws his shoulder in there and isn’t real good at it.” Finished with 108 catches for 1,419 (13.1) and 14 TDs. “Ole Miss basically told him to leave,” a second scout said. “It’s hard to get thrown out at Ole Miss. Talentwise, he deserves to go third round. It’ll just be what (teams) uncover in terms of what his true value is. He’s more talented than Max Klare but he’s not as consistently reliable. He’s got some catches on tape, I mean, over the top of people. He also has some points where you go, ‘Huh? A little lazy there, young man.’ Doesn’t like blocking too much but when he does it he’s good. He’s a weapon. He’s probably the third most talented tight end.” Four-star recruit from Tampa. Averaged 22.6 as a junior on his high-school basketball team.

7. WILL KACMAREK, Ohio State (6-5 ½, 261, 4.77, 5): Regarded by some scouts as the best blocking tight end. “He will steamroll your face,” said one. “I think he’s a starting Y. He can catch but receiving isn’t his primary duty. He’s tough. Sticks his face in there. He’s a very good blocker and he has good hands. You can get the ball to him in certain situations and trust him. He’s a guy that can help you win. I don’t see him as a reason (why you win). He runs a good speed for a Y. He doesn’t run a good speed for an F.” During the blocking drill at the combine he attacked the sled like no other tight end. “A lot of times you have to give up athleticism for the power you need on double-downs ands kickouts, even in pass protection,” said a second scout. “Athletically, he’s a lot like the (Luke) Farrell kid in Jacksonville. I thought he should have gotten the ball more.” Slowest of the top tight ends. “I think he’s just OK,” said a third scout. “He’s more like a third (tight end). He’s not a difference-maker.” Starting 24 of 55 games, he caught 65 passes for 761 (11.7) and four TDs. “With Kacmarek, you know exactly what he’s going to do in the league,” a fourth scout said. “I think he’ll be a starting Y. He’s really good in that role.” From St. Louis. Registered 23 sacks as a defensive end in high school.

8. ELI RARIDON, Notre Dame (6-6, 248, 4.62, 5): Played four seasons for the Irish, starting six of 28 games from 2022-’24 before winning the job and starting 12 times last season. “Interesting guy,” one scout said. “Real big target. Good hands. Got a ways to go as a blocker but he’ll do it. He blocks really erect. He’s been hurt (ACL in ’22) and has a real staggered play history; his medical grade will be a factor. I think he’s just coming into his own. There’s quite a bit there if he wants to be a Y. He has to keep getting stronger and learn how to play with leverage. He’s a better receiver than Kacmarek but not quite the same blocker. He’s definitely not an F. He’s a Y.” Finished with 48 catches for 623 (13.0) and three TDs. “He’s tall, good athlete, has the deep speed, good hands and adjustment,” a second scout said. “Will have some lapses; they all do. Can take a hit over the middle. Very functional blocker who tries to extend. He’s definitely not a drive blocker. He can hit the target on wham blocks across the formation. Better F than Y, but has value at both.” Four-star recruit from Des Moines, Iowa.


THE NEXT FIVE

Jack Endries, Texas (6-4 ½, 245, 4.70)
Said one scout: “Not in love with this guy but he does get a good vertical stretch. Not much of a blocker. Not a lot of width to this guy. He’s got a small-hipped structure. But he’s a good athlete with good hands. He’s tough when he catches. He can be that No. 2 tight end but I don’t see him as a No. 1.”

Oscar Delp, Georgia (6-5, 245, 4.49)
Said one scout: “Really interesting player due to a very inconsistent career. Played amazing for a season, then completely disappeared. When he was used, Delp showed he could be the type of athlete that could create in the pass game. He has some stiffness in his movements but is more than able to win one-on-one against linebackers and safeties. He’s tough to bring down after the catch, which gives him even more value. His lack of production (70 receptions in 55 games, including 34 starts) could hurt but teams will likely think he has a chance to shine at the next level.”

Lake McCree, Southern Cal (6-4, 246, 4.82)
Said one scout: “I thought he was third round. I know I’ve got him rated higher than most people. He reminded me of Greg Dulcich of UCLA coming out. Pretty smooth in and out of his breaks. He’s got good hand quickness and foot quickness. He’s tough. He’ll compete over the middle and influence people with his routes. He’s going to be a serviceable as a run blocker but he does the movement stuff. He needs to put on weight and get a little stronger.”

Seydou Traore, Mississippi State (6-3 ½, 233, no 40)
Said one scout: “He was born in (London) and is a potential NFL International guy that you could get a roster spot for for free (via the Player Pathway program). A lot of people will be interested in him in that regard. At the East-West Shrine he stood out in the one on one’s. He’s got a ways to go as a blocker and all that but as a receiver and as an athlete he’s got some tools. I wouldn’t be surprised if he got picked in the third day.”

Khalil Dinkins, Penn State (6-4, 251, 4.67)
Said one scout: “He sat in a very talented tight-end room and got on the field this year. His career production (37 receptions in 47 games) is very underwhelming, but more of that is on the staff than him. They couldn’t get him the ball very much, especially this year. He’s an athlete. He’s raw. It might take him a little bit of time, and the good news is he’s got a special-teams background. His dad (Darnell) played in the league for quite a while (2002-’09) and made his living as a special-teamer.”

 

[NDGAEDE]

I'll read all this after day 3 when we burn that fourth rounder on one of these guys

 

[Risen Star]

I comped him with (Luke) Schoonmaker, who played at Michigan.

There's no reason to make it personal like that.

 

[reddyuta]

my pet cats is Stowers,it's a shame we dont have a 2nd rd pick.

 

[Risen Star]

my pet cats is Stowers,it's a shame we dont have a 2nd rd pick.

Your hate for Quinnen Williams is irrational.