After a resurgent 2025 season that saw the Denver Broncos take a major step forward under Sean Payton, they now find themselves in a position they haven’t been in for a while - picking near the bottom of the first round. Owning the No. 30 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Denver isn’t in the driver’s seat this time. They'll need to play the waiting game, hoping a difference-maker slides down the board.
And in one recent mock draft, that’s exactly what happens.
NFL.com’s Dan Parr has Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq slipping to Denver at No. 30, a scenario that would give the Broncos a dynamic offensive weapon and reunite quarterback Bo Nix with one of his former college targets. That’s not just a good story - it’s a potentially game-changing addition for a team looking to keep its offensive momentum rolling.
Sadiq is widely regarded as the top tight end in this year’s class, and for good reason. He’s a rare blend of athleticism and versatility - the kind of player who can line up all over the field and create mismatches wherever he goes.
At 6’3” and over 230 pounds, he’s expected to run a 40-yard dash in the 4.5-second range. That kind of speed at his size?
It’s not just impressive - it’s dangerous.
Last season at Oregon, Sadiq hauled in 51 catches for 560 yards and eight touchdowns. And here’s the kicker: he’s still just scratching the surface.
His route-running is already sharp, especially over the middle, and he has the kind of burst that can turn a 10-yard gain into a 30-yard highlight. More than just a pass-catcher, he brings scheme flexibility - a tight end who can move around formations, split out wide, or line up in the slot, depending on the matchup.
That’s exactly the kind of chess piece Sean Payton loves to deploy.
The Broncos hoped to add that kind of dimension last offseason when they signed veteran Evan Engram. But Engram struggled to find rhythm in the offense, and the explosive impact Denver was banking on never really materialized. Sadiq, with his upside and familiarity with Nix, could be the answer they were looking for all along.
It’s not just about filling a need - it’s about adding a weapon. And at No. 30, that should be the Broncos' mindset: take the best player available.
If that player happens to be a freakishly athletic tight end who already has chemistry with your quarterback? That’s a win on multiple levels.
Last year, Denver had its eye on Tyler Warren before he landed with the Colts. Sadiq could fill that same role - and potentially exceed it.
With Engram still on the roster, the Broncos wouldn’t need to rush Sadiq into a full-time role. They could bring him along at a comfortable pace, letting him learn the system, build confidence, and eventually emerge as a featured piece in Payton’s offense.
If the board falls this way in April, Denver shouldn’t hesitate. Kenyon Sadiq is the kind of player who can help take this offense from good to dangerous. And for a team that finally found its footing last season, that’s the next step.