Grading the Jets pick: New York passed over the top WRs on the board to form a lethal TE duo by selecting Kenyon Sadiq
Grading the New York Jets’ shocking choice to pass on the top wide receivers on the board to take Oregon tight end, Kenyon Sadiq. With Mason Taylor already on the roster, was this the right move for New York?
The New York Jets went defense at pick two, landing David Bailey to start off their 2026 NFL Draft class. And they flip to the offensive side of the ball at pick 16, landing Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq.
Sadiq has been the clear top tight end on everyone’s board all cycle long. He was a cheat code for Oregon and now brings that ability to the bright lights that come with playing New York.
Jets add a pass catcher, but not the type many expected
Pick 16 has been linked to a pass catcher for the Jets for a while now. Usually, it was names like Omar Cooper Jr., Makai Lemon, or other wide receivers. The Jets went with their top pass catcher on the board, but they didn’t see that as a wide receiver; it was Sadiq instead.
Sadiq was a major weapon in Oregon’s passing game. He caught 51 passes for 560 yards and eight touchdowns during the 2025 season. But his impact on the offense won’t be limited to just his pass-catching ability. He was also a weapon for the Ducks as a blocker.
What are the Jets getting in Kenyon Sadiq?
There aren’t many undisputed top players at their positions in this draft class. The only ones that come to mind are quarterback Fernando Mendoza, running back Jeremiyah Love, safety Caleb Downs, and tight end Kenyon Sadiq. Sadiq is the perfect balance of grit and flash that teams look for at the tight end position. He is a truly willing and reliable run blocker and was used in multiple different ways as a pass catcher in Oregon’s offense.
If his production wasn’t impressive enough, his athletic testing is the icing on the cake. Sadiq ran absurd 4.39-second 40-yard dash and recorded 43.5-inch vertical and an 11-1 broad jump. He can be a game-changing tight end, a major advantage for the NFL teams that have one. He is a bit smaller than some teams would prefer for a tight end, with a 6-3, 241-pound frame. While he’s a reliable blocker, his technique could use some coaching. He pretty much relies on his speed and strength to block right now. If he accepts coaching early in his career, I think he can become truly special in that regard.
Should the Jets have made this pick with Mason Taylor already on the roster?
Sadiq has the potential to be a Pro Bowl-caliber player. The part that makes this pick a bit puzzling, though, is that they took Mason Taylor in the second round last year. And he flashed some real talent as a rookie. So instead of trying to find more talent for their wide receiver room that needed it, they created a crazy duo with Taylor.
Personally, I think the better value and better roster-building move would have been for the Jets to go wide receiver. And there were still some talented ones on the board. Makai Lemon and Omar Cooper Jr. were both right there for the taking, and for that reason, I think the best I can give this is a B.
Grade: B
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