Feb. 3, 2026, 4:45 a.m. PT
The San Francisco 49ers need more athleticism on offense, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they aim to solve that problem in Round 1 of this year’s NFL draft.
NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein offered one solution for the 49ers’ lack of dynamic playmakers on offense in his first mock draft of the year. In his first-round projection he sent University of Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq to the 49ers as a movable piece who can immediately fill a void left by George Kittle and his Achilles injury.
Via NFL Media:
Sadiq has high-volume potential as a moveable piece/flex tight end — especially in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. And with the Achilles injury to George Kittle, this makes even more sense.
Sadiq is a fascinating prospect. His athleticism jumps off the screen at 6-3, 245 pounds and his production increased across all three of his college seasons. In 2025 he put up career highs across the board with 51 catches for 560 yards and eight touchdowns. For his career he posted 892 yards and 11 touchdowns on 80 receptions in 42 games.
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There’s a ton of upside with Sadiq considering that he turns 21 in March, and his playmaking ability shines brighter than his raw numbers would indicate.
While the pass-catching upside is huge, the real value for head coach Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers will be in whether Sadiq can be an in-line blocker who keeps defenses off balance the way Kittle does, or whether he can line up all over the field and play a fullback role the way Kyle Juszczyk does.
File Sadiq’s name away leading up to the draft. He’ll likely be connected to the 49ers a ton and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he winds up in red and gold.
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