Indianapolis - Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq Shines at NFL Combine
Kenyon Sadiq, the Oregon tight end, turned heads at the NFL scouting combine with his remarkable athleticism. Known for his ability to hurdle defenders and accelerate into the secondary, Sadiq is making a strong case as a first-round draft pick.
During the combine, Sadiq had a formal meeting with the Houston Texans, a team in need of reinforcement at the tight end position. Reflecting on the interaction, Sadiq shared, “It was good.
It was a super chill meeting. The staff’s awesome.
So, just getting to sit down with them, getting to know them was great.”
The Texans are clearly on the lookout for talent at tight end. While Dalton Schultz had a standout season with 82 catches, backup Cade Stover struggled, and Brevin Jordan has been sidelined with injuries. Besides Sadiq, the Texans also met with other promising prospects like Cincinnati’s Joe Royer, Stanford’s Sam Roush, Michigan’s Marlin Klein, Ohio State’s Max Klare, and Georgia’s Oscar Delp.
Sadiq, regarded as the top tight end in the draft, is expected to excel in the combine tests. His athletic prowess has drawn comparisons to Arizona Cardinals’ Trey McBride. Sadiq boasts a 41 1/2 inch vertical leap, a 365-pound power clean, a 435-pound bench press, and has clocked speeds up to 23 miles per hour, all while maintaining just 10 percent body fat.
Originally from Idaho, Sadiq was a sought-after recruit, choosing Oregon over programs like Iowa State, Michigan, and Washington. Last season, he tallied 51 receptions for 560 yards and eight touchdowns.
Sadiq emphasized his readiness for the NFL, saying, “Athletic abilities, I think that’s there, and I think everyone will see that as well. I have a very mature mindset coming into this league.
Versatility is huge, being able to create explosive pass plays, but also being able to run the ball. It creates mismatches on the defensive side, whether they’re nickel or base.
If you have a great tight end or a couple great tight ends, it really helps out your offense. The value has definitely gone up.”
As Sadiq continues to impress, teams across the league will undoubtedly keep a close eye on this dynamic prospect.