After adding a premier edge rusher on defense, general manager Darren Mougey made a major addition on offense. The New York Jets second pick in the first round, the team gives quarterback Geno Smith a big-time playmaker. New York needed someone to pair with Garrett Wilson as a pass catcher. Acquired from the Sauce Gardner trade with the Indianapolis Colts, the 16th overall pick has given New York some intriguing versatility in their passing game.
While many expected the pick to be used on a wide receiver, this tight end operates more like a big-bodied wide receiver. Now, working with an offensive coordinator like Frank Reich, this tight end could be explosive with the right quarterback. Especially when paired with their 2025 second-round pick, Mason Taylor, the Jets tight end room got better.
Jets Choose Stud Tight End With Second First Round Pick
At No. 16, the Jets selected Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 24, 2026
With the 16th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, New York selected Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. The Idaho Falls, ID native committed to Oregon in August of 2022. After limited action in 2023, Sadiq became the starting tight end and showed flashes with future Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel. However, his junior season was a masterstroke. Sadiq led the team with 51 targets for 560 yards and eight touchdowns. Due to his outstanding route tree, Sadiq became a favorite target for projected first-round quarterback Dante Moore. Standing at 6’3″ and 245 lbs, Sadiq is a matchup nightmare in man coverage. Especially with his speed after finishing with a 4.39 40-yard dash.
Another factor with Sadiq is his ability to fight for contested catches. While there were moments of lapses on certain lower difficulty plays. As great as Sadiq was, he also dealt with dropped passes with six drops in 2025. However, with a 43.5″ vertical, Sadiq is going to haul in passes on 50/50 balls most of the time. Don’t fall into the trap of viewing Sadiq through a specific lens. Sadiq finished second in touchdowns from the slot in the FBS, behind only the Fred Biletnikoff winner Makai Lemon. Think of Sadiq less as a traditional in-line tight end and more as a big wide receiver. At Oregon, he was lined up in the slot, in-line, motioned across the formation, and even flexed wide. If he can refine his game against zone coverage and better assess the soft spots, the sky is the limit with Sadiq.
#Jets new TE Kenyon Sadiq pic.twitter.com/vHzyHfyURk
— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) April 24, 2026
Kenyon Sadiq’s fit with the Jets
By adding Kenyon Sadiq, New York adds a big-time athlete to join Garrett Wilson as a pass catcher. In New York, Sadiq gets to work with both a veteran offensive coordinator and quarterback to help him grow. First, offensive coordinator Frank Reich loves him some tight ends. During his first season as the Chargers OC, Hall of Famer Antonio Gates had 12 TDs and his seventh season of at least 800 yards in 2014. While with the Eagles, Zach Ertz broke out in Philadelphia with 152 catches for 1,640 yards and 12 TDs. Plus, being paired with Geno Smith gives him a veteran quarterback to work with. Last season, tight end Brock Bowers finished second on the team with 86 targets. Sadiq can be used all over the field and get you yards.
However, some may ask what this means for Mason Taylor? While it’s easy to assume he’ll lose targets, Taylor and Sadiq can play together. Both Sadiq and Taylor are good enough receivers to keep defenses modest in 12 personnel. In addition, Taylor is a more adept blocker than Sadiq at this point. Having Sadiq as a receiving threat consistently will cause problems for any match-up. With speed and athleticism to get past linebackers. Size that will give defensive backs headaches. Kenyon Sadiq gives New York a versatile chess piece on offense.
