Tight Ends Number 2! Kenyon Sadiq and the rest of today’s group were analyzed and our thoughts and grades are here for you NOW!
Kenyon Sadiq - TE Oregon
Sadiq wowed everyone by posting the fastest 40 yard dash of any tight end ever at the combine a few weeks ago, coupled with an impressive 10 yard split and vertical jump. His speed and explosiveness certainly shows up on the film, but I will say I was a bit surprised by the numbers. His game speed is definitely fast, but I don’t think it’s anything unlike the NFL has ever seen. There’s plenty to love, though. Let’s get into it:
The Great Stuff:
Elite athleticism makes him a difficult cover for larger, less quick defenders
Route tree is comprehensive and he can be used anywhere on the field. A really tough cover out of motion.
YAC threat with big play potential
Age
The Good Stuff:
Good catch radius and sound enough hands but wouldn’t say that aspect of his game is quite elite
Willing and able blocker with some highlight blocks and a few rougher ones
Concerns:
Not immune to physicality from defenders disrupting routes
Sadiq’s athleticism and sound fundamentals at the position make him an immediate contributor in the NFL and make him so versatile that he’s probably the only tight end in the class that could warrant designing a scheme around what he can give you as a receiver already. I will say I don’t think he’s so elite that he’d ever be a top option on a good offense, but I think he’ll give managers a decent floor and will have his share of huge weeks. His blocking isn’t elite, but he possesses enough to be an every-down tight end at the next level, and his route running ability allows him to threaten defenses against any matchup and from anywhere on the field. I think his game thrives more in the open field and against zone looks, so when things condense in the red zone he’ll be not quite as effective, but he’ll certainly still score some touchdowns. He’s tough to design a comp for, but I think his floor is Jonnu Smith, while his ceiling for offensive production is George Kittle, with a less physicality after the catch and definitely a good deal less talent as a blocker. How much I’m willing to give up for him come rookie drafts will be largely determined by landing spot, but in the ideal system he could be instantly impactful and consistently elite for managers.
Max Klare - TE Ohio State
In 1964 Bob Dylan wrote “The Times They Are A-Changin’” about the tight end position in the early to mid 2020s. Max Klare has never heard that song, and though there is a lot to like, everyone needs to know that if you draft Klare you’re getting a pretty good tight end made in last decade’s mold. Here’s what I mean:
The Great Stuff:
Good releases off the line consistently and able to be effective when lined up anywhere in the formation
Blocking on the line is strong and dependable
A tough tackle in the open field for just one guy
The Good Stuff:
Decently quick for his size, but not fast
Route tree decently varied and run well
Route tree decently varied and route running had some nice reps
Concerns:
Hands could be more reliable and catches could be made with less trapping against his body
A few really rough open-field blocking reps where he just lets guys run around him
Bland athletic profile makes it hard to imagine he’d be able to make strides in the NFL
There’s nothing to be over the moon about, but there is a lot to like. Klare gets off the line well, can use half-decent route running and his size to win out of his breaks, and is a tough tackle after the catch. His in-line blocking is strong, but he can be lined up all over the field. My comp for him is Hunter Henry. I see an NFL career where he is frequently a first-stringer and can do some damage in the right situations, but might also spend some years as a team’s safety valve more than a top weapon. He’ll need to tidy up his open-field blocking a little bit to make sure he can be on the field for all play designs, but I think he moves well enough that this should be fixable. He’s definitely more of the Jason Witten mold than the Brock Bowers, but there is still a place for guys like that around the NFL.
Michael Trigg - TE Baylor
Both durability and character concerns will factor in to Trigg’s evaluation by NFL teams and dynasty managers, and they should, but let me just tell you the dude can ball. Sleeper’s current TE5 in the class by ADP hasn’t had reports of any concerning behavior since his move to Baylor, but an inability to get along with various coaches and AD’s at USC and Ole Miss definitely linger when scoping out Trigg, but how was his tape?
The Great Stuff:
Releases off the line are quick, powerful, and demonstrate good hand-fighting and footwork
Flashed ability to make impressive catches way outside of frame
Has reliable, strong hands and doesn’t use body to catch balls he doesn’t need to
Varied route tree, can be effective all over the field
Genuine YAC threat
Elite wingspan and hand size
The Good Stuff:
Willing blocker, frequently does enough to keep guys in front of him
Separation versus man coverage is good, not great
Concerns:
Age
Injury history is varied and somewhat concerning, despite not having any major surgeries
Character concerns have quieted as of late but could still be an issue
Can lose blocking assignments against stronger guys
Trigg’s raw athleticism and quarterback friendly catch radius really jumped off the tape to me. He hasn’t had as elite an output as the class’ clear top 2 tight ends but his best tape, in my opinion, is in the same tier. He can move so fluidly and exhibits such body control that he will be an asset to any team when healthy. His rather concerning inability to finish a season without missing a game is definitely a knock on him, but he has avoided anything too serious the last two years. The character concerns worry me as well, but we can only go so far in predicting those. As for the football player, his game reminds me of a few different guys. Stowers already drew the Evan Engram comp last week, but there is certainly shades of that movement style. Names like Kyle Pitts also come to mind, though I think his athleticism is in a class of it’s own. Ultimately, my comp for Trigg, when healthy, is the receiving tools of Isaiah Likely. Likely has blocking ability it is hard to imagine Trigg will ever match, but I think Trigg has potential to be a better receiver. Definitely pay attention to the NFL teams that know more than we ever will about the behind the scenes stuff. If they still give Trigg solid draft capital, I could be very interested.
Marlin Klein - TE Michigan
The numbers aren’t gorgeous, even when he finally got TE1 status in 2025. The tape? Not very inspiring either. Here’s what I saw:
The Great Stuff:
Uses his size really well on many blocks
The Good Stuff:
A couple nice catches outside his frame and pretty reliable hands. Survived a few hits with ball.
A few nice routes versus zone
Route tree surprisingly expansive for someone with so few touches
Concerns:
Gets off the line really slow and can’t get through routes with all that much pace. Doesn’t make up for it with strength, hands, or technique.
Not strong or elusive enough to be much of a YAC threat
Occasional bad block
Klein’s blocking ability will earn him a spot in the NFL and likely some playing time this year. His lack of receiving ability will not earn him a spot on many dynasty rosters. His offensive production was limited in college and I saw no reason to believe that will change in the pros. Though he’s not helpless as a receiving option, he certainly won’t be any team’s top target at any point. You can pick any bulky blocking tight end, but for some reason Drew Sample feels especially right as a comp.
— DDR
That’ll wrap our tight end film breakdowns! Stay tuned for more wide receivers later this week. Thanks for stoppin’ by.
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