Rookie Tight Ends - Kenyon Sadiq, Eli Stowers, Sam Roush
Chew highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the top three tight ends in the 2026 rookie class.
The NFL Draft is around the corner (April 23rd), so let’s dive into some 2026 rookies. While there are no “generational” tight ends in this year’s rookie class, there are some absolute athletes at a position that values that attribute. But no matter what anyone tells you, size DOES matter. Let’s dive into my top-3 tight ends in the upcoming rookie class.
Check out the top-3 running backs and wide receivers here.
KENYON SADIQ | TE-1️⃣
Sadiq is undoubtedly the TE-1 in this class. The NFL Combine highlighted Sadiq’s historic athleticism at a position that highly values it. Despite being shorter and a bit lighter than the “ideal” tight end prospect, Sadiq has a strong, compact frame. That athletic frame creates mismatches against slower defenders and helps to create YAC. Athleticism is king with the tight end position; however, Sadiq’s hands are inconsistent, leading to the occasional drop. In a class that is lacking a true “generational” tight end, Sadiq is an intriguing option and is likely to be the first one drafted at some point in the first round.
STRENGTHS
✅ Athleticism
✅ YAC ability
✅ Acceleration in-and-out of routes
IN PROGRESS
❓ Undersized (weight, not strength)
❓ Inconsistent hands
❓ Contested catches
COMPARABLE PLAYERS & SUPERLATIVE
🏈 Sam LaPorta
🏈 Noah Fant
⭐️ MOST ATHLETIC
ELI STOWERS | TE-2️⃣
Relatively new to the position, Stowers converted to tight end after entering college as a quarterback. Among the undersized tight ends, Stowers is one of the leanest, but he is also one of the most athletic, second only to Kenyon Sadiq. While the frame is more of a big slot, Stowers has tremendous speed and ball skills that would be any quarterback’s dream. What stands out in Stower’s play is his catch radius and ball skills, which will serve him well, as his blocking will not be where he hangs his hat. The primary knock would be with being undersized; Stowers could be sharing snaps with a more inline tight end, but could also pair with one in 12 personnel.
STRENGTHS
✅ Catch radius
✅ Zone coverage navigation
✅ YAC ability
IN PROGRESS
❓ Blocking
❓ Undersized (height & weight)
❓ Newer to the position
COMPARABLE PLAYERS
🏈 Mike Gesicki
🏈 Evan Engram
⭐️ BEST BALL SKILLS
SAM ROUSH | TE-3️⃣
After Kenyon Sadiq and Eli Stowers is a mixed bag of tight ends, and I am hitching my wagon to Sam Roush. While we have grown accustomed to the tight ends that immediately produce for fantasy, Roush is one who may take some time to marinade. Roush is built like a brick shithouse and has a rugby background that aligns with his YAC ability. The production for Roush was so-so throughout his collegiate career, but there was year-over-year improvement. And as athleticism is highly valued at the tight end position, the NFL Combine highlighted the athleticism that showed up on the field. Roush can earn his stripes as a blocker day one in the NFL, but I believe in his growth as a receiver, where he can be a safety valve for a quarterback and generate YAC.
STRENGTHS
✅ Athleticism
✅ Blocking
✅ Breaking tackles
IN PROGRESS
❓ Inconsistent hands
❓ Limited route tree
❓ Modest collegiate production
COMPARABLE PLAYERS & SUPERLATIVE
🏈 Dawson Knox
🏈 Vance McDonald
⭐️ WIDEST RANGE OF OUTCOMES
So you made it this far, and hopefully you enjoyed it (that’s what she said). If you wouldn’t mind sharing this in your group message with your fellow fantasy football degenerates, I would greatly appreciate it!
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