Published on Mar. 3, 2026
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In his latest mock draft, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. predicts the Philadelphia Eagles will select Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Kiper believes the Eagles could use a new offensive weapon, especially if they don’t re-sign free agent Dallas Goedert. Sadiq had an impressive 2025 season, catching 51 passes for 560 yards and 8 touchdowns, and he ran a blazing 4.39 40-yard dash at the combine.
Why it matters
The Eagles struggled on offense in 2025, leading to the firing of offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. With the future of star wide receiver A.J. Brown uncertain, the team could use a dynamic new weapon for quarterback Jalen Hurts. Drafting Sadiq, an athletic tight end who can make plays after the catch, would give the Eagles’ offense a needed boost.
The details
Mel Kiper Jr. believes the Eagles will target Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Sadiq had a standout 2025 season, catching 51 passes for 560 yards and 8 touchdowns. At the combine, he ran a blazing 4.39 40-yard dash, the fastest time for a tight end since at least 2003. Kiper thinks Sadiq could be a perfect replacement for free agent Dallas Goedert, who was quarterback Jalen Hurts’ third-most targeted pass catcher and had 11 receiving touchdowns last season.
Kenyon Sadiq had 51 catches, 560 yards, and 8 touchdowns for Oregon in the 2025 season.Sadiq ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Combine, the fastest time for a tight end since at least 2003.
The players
Kenyon Sadiq
An athletic tight end from the University of Oregon who is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Jalen Hurts
The starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Dallas Goedert
The Eagles’ free agent tight end who was quarterback Jalen Hurts’ third-most targeted pass catcher and had 11 receiving touchdowns last season.
A.J. Brown
The Eagles’ star wide receiver whose future with the team is uncertain.
Kevin Patullo
The former offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles who was fired after the 2025 season.
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What they’re saying
“If Philadelphia doesn’t bring back free agent Dallas Goedert, it would be smart to draft a top-end replacement. Quarterback Jalen Hurts found Goedert for a team-high 11 receiving touchdowns last season, and he was the third-most-targeted pass catcher on the roster.”
— Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN Draft Expert (Newsweek)
“In other words, Hurts likes throwing to his TE1. Sadiq had eight touchdown receptions last season, and he’s explosive and does a lot of damage after the catch. NFC defenses would have a tough time matching up with him because of his speed and 6-foot-3, 245-pound size.”
— Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN Draft Expert (Newsweek)
What’s next
The Eagles will have to decide whether to re-sign free agent tight end Dallas Goedert or target a replacement like Kenyon Sadiq in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The takeaway
With the Eagles’ offense struggling in 2025 and the future of star receiver A.J. Brown uncertain, drafting an explosive tight end like Kenyon Sadiq could provide a much-needed boost to the team’s passing attack and give quarterback Jalen Hurts a dynamic new weapon.