The NFL Combine is about to kick off, and Oregon's presence is making waves on Mel Kiper Jr.'s latest big board. If there was any doubt about Dan Lanning's ability to turn Oregon into an NFL talent factory, this should put it to rest.
Leading the charge for the Ducks is Kenyon Sadiq, who’s not only ranked No. 14 overall but also stands as the top tight end in Kiper's class. That’s a testament to the kind of season Oregon fans witnessed.
Sadiq’s 2025 stats - 51 receptions, 560 yards, and 8 touchdowns over 14 games - paint a picture of productivity. But it’s his unique physical abilities and playmaking after the catch, racking up 260 yards, that make him a standout.
He’s not just putting up numbers; he’s a nightmare for defenses to handle.
Kiper highlights Sadiq’s skillset, noting his explosive ability to evade defenders and his knack for turning short catches into big gains. With his combination of speed and size, Sadiq is a matchup problem for any defense. If Kiper’s predictions hold, Sadiq could very well be the first tight end selected in the draft.
But Sadiq isn’t the only Duck making noise. Oregon players are scattered across Kiper’s position big boards. Emmanuel Pregnon is the No. 2 guard, Alex Harkey ranks as the No. 7 guard, Bryce Boettcher is the No. 8 off-ball linebacker, Dillon Thieneman takes the No. 3 safety spot, and Luke Basso is the top long snapper.
Several other Ducks are knocking on the door of Kiper’s lists. Noah Whittington is just outside the top 10 running backs, Isaiah World narrowly missed the cut at offensive tackle, and Jadon Canady is close to breaking into the cornerback top 10.
In total, nine Ducks have been invited to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, running from Feb. 23 to March 2 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. This number marks the second-highest in Oregon's history, just behind last year’s 12 invitees.
The offensive side is well-represented with six players, including receiver Malik Benson and linemen Alex Harkey, Emmanuel Pregnon, and Isaiah World. The defense sees linebacker Bryce Boettcher and defensive backs Jadon Canady and Dillon Thieneman making their mark.
Catch all the action from the NFL Combine starting Feb. 26 on NFL Network and NFL+. The 2026 NFL Draft is slated for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, where these Ducks will look to take the next step in their football journeys.