2026 NFL Draft Tight End Rankings: Sadiq's 4.39 40 Sets New Standard

2026 NFL Draft Tight End Rankings: Sadiq's 4.39 40 Sets New Standard

Kenyon Sadiq didn't just win the 2026 NFL Combine tight end competition — he obliterated it. The Oregon product ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, the fastest time by a tight end since at least 2003, and vaulted 43.5 inches while broad jumping 11 feet 1 inch. Those numbers place him in a statistical stratosphere occupied by only three players since 2003: Nick Emmanwori, DK Metcalf, and now Sadiq.

Sadiq's production backs up the freakish athleticism. In 2025, he led all FBS tight ends with 8 touchdowns on 51 receptions for 560 yards (11.0-yard average). At 6'3", 245 pounds, he's built to be an immediate mismatch weapon in the NFL.

Eli Stowers delivered the other historic performance at the combine. The 6'5" prospect posted a 45.5-inch vertical jump, breaking Sadiq's mark and setting a new tight end combine record. Stowers' 40 time of 4.51 seconds was solid but not elite, yet his explosion numbers suggest a player who can win contested catches at the next level.

The tight end class beyond the top two is described as "top heavy" with quality players projecting into Day 3. Max Klare (6'5", 243 pounds, 4.70-second 40) and Jack Endries (6'4", 240 pounds, 4.68-second 40) offer solid size-speed combinations. Oscar Delp (6'5", 245 pounds) and Will Kacmarek (6'6", 258 pounds) bring intriguing frames but need to prove their athleticism translates to production.

Sav'ell Smalls (6'3", 265 pounds) represents the blocking specialist in this class — a player who may need time to develop as a receiver but could anchor an NFL offensive line as a move tight end.

Why Sadiq's Combine Numbers Matter

Sadiq's 4.39 40-yard dash broke Vernon Davis's 4.40-second record from 2006. More impressively, only three players since 2003 have matched his combination of sub-4.4 speed, 40-plus-inch vertical, and 11-plus-foot broad jump at 220-plus pounds. That's not just fast for a tight end — that's elite athlete fast, period.

The production metrics are equally compelling. Eight touchdowns led all FBS tight ends in 2025, and his 11.0-yard average per reception suggests he can create explosive plays downfield. NFL teams drafting in the top 20 will be tempted to view Sadiq as a potential difference-maker who can impact the game immediately.

What to Watch: Draft Day and Beyond

The 2026 NFL Draft runs April 23-25 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Sadiq is projected as a first-round pick, potentially sneaking into the late first if a team falls in love with his athletic profile. Stowers should land in the second or third round based on his combine dominance and size.

Teams will be watching pro days closely, particularly for players like Delp and Kacmarek who need to prove their athleticism matches their frames. The lack of elite blocking tight ends in this class means most of these prospects will enter the league as pass-catching specialists who need development time.

The Complete 2026 Tight End Rankings

1. Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon — 4.39 40, 43.5-inch vertical, 11'1" broad jump, 51 rec, 560 yards, 8 TDs (2025)2. Eli Stowers, Texas — 45.5-inch vertical (Combine record), 4.51 40, 6'5"+3. Max Klare, Notre Dame — 6'5", 243 pounds, 4.70 404. Jack Endries, Michigan — 6'4", 240 pounds, 4.68 405. Oscar Delp, Georgia — 6'5", 245 pounds6. Will Kacmarek, Penn State — 6'6", 258 pounds7. Sav'ell Smalls, USC — 6'3", 265 pounds

The 2026 tight end class may not have the depth of previous years, but it has two players who could redefine the position's athletic ceiling. Sadiq and Stowers have set a new bar — and NFL teams will be racing to clear it.