As the New Orleans Saints prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft, we take a look at the top 10 ranked players at various positions. The 2026 NFL Draft big board rankings are reflective of Bucky Brooks' top five prospects by position, ESPN's NFL Draft "Best Available" list, plus other consensus draft boards. To keep track of the latest NFL mock drafts for the Saints, check out Mock Draft Monday. Part of the Saints Path to the Draft presented by Cox.
Kenyon Sadiq earned 2nd-Team Associated Press All-American honors and was named Big Ten Tight End of the Year and 1st-Team All-Big Ten in 2025 after recording 51 receptions for 560 yards and eight touchdowns in 14 starts at Oregon, setting a school record for receptions by a tight end and leading all FBS tight ends in receiving touchdowns. He previously played in all 14 games as a reserve in both 2023 and 2024, totaling 29 receptions for 332 yards and three touchdowns. Sadiq finished his collegiate career with 80 receptions for 892 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Kenyon Sadiq's Combine Results
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 241 | Arms: 31 1/2 | Hands: 10
40-yard Dash: 4.39 | 10-yard Split: 1.54 | Vertical Jump: 43.5
Broad Jump: 11-1 | 3-Cone: DNP | 20-yard Shuttle: DNP | Bench Press: 26
Sadiq is the #16 overall prospect on Daniel Jeremiah’s Top 50 2.0 (TE1) and is Bucky Brooks’ top-ranked TE on his By Position 1.0. Sadiq became the third Combine player to run a sub 4.4 40-yd dash at 240+ lbs since 2003 and measured and tested similarly to all-time Combine performer Vernon Davis.
Lance Zierlein on Kenyon Sadiq:
"A versatile tight end with a shredded physique and alluring potential as a volume target, Sadiq’s route tree will be full of branches. His athleticism and break quickness should allow him to uncover against man coverage on all three levels. He’s talented after the catch, with the ability to make things easier for play-callers and quarterbacks looking to move the sticks. He has the body control and hand strength to win contested catches but will occasionally allow balls to hit the ground on lower-difficulty plays. He’s adequate as a blocker, giving good effort in-line and locating and landing on linebackers as a move blocker. Teams looking to diversify their passing game options with a talented pass-catching tight end could make Sadiq a priority."
Max Klare earned 1st-Team All-Big Ten honors in 2025 after recording 43 receptions for 448 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games with 12 starts at Ohio State. He previously earned 3rd-Team All-Big Ten recognition at Purdue in 2024 after leading the team with 51 receptions for 685 yards and four touchdowns in 12 starts. Klare appeared in five games with four starts in 2023 before an injury ended his season and redshirted in 2022 after playing one game as a reserve. He finished his collegiate career with 116 receptions for 1,329 yards and six touchdowns.
Max Klare's Combine Results
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 246 | Arms: 32 1/8 | Hands: 9 1/8
40-yard Dash: DNP | 10-yard Split: DNP | Vertical Jump: DNP
Broad Jump: DNP | 3-Cone: DNP | 20-yard Shuttle: DNP | Bench Press: DNP
Max Klare is Bucky Brooks’ 2nd-ranked TE on his By Position 1.0 and measured similarly to pending free agent tight end Isaiah Likely.
Lance Zierlein on Max Klare:
"Highly athletic, pass-catching tight end capable of earning volume targets on the pro level. Klare can live beyond the typical targeted depth for most tight ends thanks to his route inventory and ability to generate separation across the field. He’s best from the slot but can widen out when a matchup presents itself. Hands and ball-tracking are below average but his production could make teams forget the drops. He improved as a run blocker as the season progressed, but “functional” might be the finish line there. In a league craving impact tight ends, Klare has a chance to inject life into an offense hunting mismatches."
Eli Stowers earned 1st-Team Associated Press All-American and 1st-Team All-SEC honors in 2025 while winning the John Mackey Award and William V. Campbell Trophy after recording 62 receptions for 769 yards and four touchdowns, leading all FBS tight ends in receiving yards. He previously earned 1st-Team All-SEC honors in 2024 after leading Vanderbilt with 49 receptions for 638 yards and five touchdowns. Stowers began his career at Texas A&M before transferring to New Mexico State in 2023, where he recorded 35 receptions for 366 yards and two touchdowns. He finished his collegiate career with 146 receptions for 1,773 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Eli Stowers' Combine Results
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 239 | Arms: 32 5/8 | Hands: 9 3/4
40-yard Dash: 4.51 | 10-yard Split: 1.59 | Vertical Jump: 45.5
Broad Jump: 11-3 | 3-Cone: DNP | 20-yard Shuttle: DNP | Bench Press: DNP
Eli Stowers is Bucky Brooks’ 5th-ranked TE on his By Position 1.0 and recorded the highest vertical jump (45.5") and broad jump (11' 3") by a TE at the Combine (longest broad jump by a TE since 2003 and T-2nd highest vertical by a TE since 2003). Stowers measured and tested very similarly to 7-time Pro Bowl TE George Kittle.
Lance Zierlein on Eli Stowers:
"Stowers is an explosive quarterback convert with just three years at the tight end position. He’s an excellent athlete with long arms but needs to keep filling out his frame. He’s a natural pass catcher with an outstanding catch radius and massive run-after-catch talent. While his route-running and contested-catch ability need work, he excels at moving the chains on screens/short catches. He has the speed to threaten downfield against linebackers. His run-blocking ceiling might be low, but his traits create above-average potential as a pass-catching "F" tight end, fitting the growing trend of utilizing two- and three-tight-end sets more heavily."
Michael Trigg earned 3rd-Team Associated Press All-American and 1st-Team All-Big 12 honors in 2025 after recording 50 receptions for a career-high 694 yards and six touchdowns in 11 starts at Baylor. He previously earned 2nd-Team All-Big 12 recognition in 2024 after totaling 30 receptions for 395 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games with five starts. Trigg began his career at USC in 2021 before transferring to Ole Miss, where he played in 10 games from 2022–23. He finished his collegiate career with 108 receptions for 1,419 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Michael Trigg's Combine Results
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 240 | Arms: 34 1/4 | Hands: 10 1/2
40-yard Dash: DNP | 10-yard Split: DNP | Vertical Jump: DNP
Broad Jump: DNP | 3-Cone: DNP | 20-yard Shuttle: DNP | Bench Press: DNP
Michael Trigg did not participate in drills at the Combine but did measure the longest arms of any tight end (34 1/4"). Trigg had the 3rd-largest wingspan by a non-OL or DL player (84' 3/8") at the Combine since 2003.
Lance Zierlein on Michael Trigg:
"Long, rangy tight end offering rare arm length, good speed and some alignment versatility. Trigg moves like a big wideout with surprising hip sink, foot quickness and fluid transitions to run after the catch. He wins vertically against linebackers and overwhelms defensive backs with size, high-point talent and massive hands that fuel highlight-reel catches. He’s still developing as a route-runner and struggles to finish catches through heavy contact. His frame and pad level limit in-line blocking, but he can wall off or stalk block from the slot. Trigg’s field-stretching potential and air space dominance in the red zone should lead to production as a pro."
Sam Roush earned 2nd-Team All-ACC honors in 2025 after recording 49 receptions for a career-high 545 yards and two touchdowns in 12 starts at Stanford, leading all ACC tight ends in receiving yards. He previously started all 12 games in 2024 and recorded 40 receptions for 334 yards and two touchdowns after totaling 28 receptions for 288 yards in 10 starts in 2023. Roush appeared in all 12 games as a reserve and on special teams in 2022. He finished his collegiate career with 119 receptions for 1,201 yards and four touchdowns.
Sam Roush's Combine Results
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 267 | Arms: 30 5/8 | Hands: 10
40-yard Dash: 4.7 | 10-yard Split: 1.61 | Vertical Jump: 38.5
Broad Jump: 10-6 | 3-Cone: 7.08 | 20-yard Shuttle: 4.37 | Bench Press: 25
Sam Roush weighed in as the heaviest tight end at the Combine (267) while also putting up the fastest 3-Cone drill (7.08)
Lance Zierlein on Sam Roush:
"In a draft landscape full of pass-catching tight ends, Roush stands out as one of the few plug-and-play “Y” tight ends (in-line blocking TE) available. He can make cut-off blocks in zone and combo blocks in gap schemes. He holds his own in pass protection, too. As a receiver, he’s not stiff, but he lacks elusiveness underneath. He needs to apply more of his tough playing style to win combat catches and expand his role beyond run blocker/zone beater. While his catch production might draw questions, his size, toughness and pro-ready blocking profile could push him into Day 2 consideration."
Justin Joly earned 1st-Team All-ACC honors in 2025 after recording 49 receptions for 489 yards and a team-leading seven touchdowns in 12 games with 11 starts at NC State. He previously started all 13 games in 2024 and led the team with 661 receiving yards while adding four touchdowns. Joly began his career at UConn, where he led the team with 56 receptions for 578 yards in 2023 after appearing in all 12 games with four starts in 2022. He finished his collegiate career with 166 receptions for 1,978 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Justin Joly's Combine Results
Height: 6-3 1/2 | Weight: 241 | Arms: 32 1/4 | Hands: 10 1/2
40-yard Dash: DNP | 10-yard Split: DNP | Vertical Jump: DNP
Broad Jump: DNP | 3-Cone: DNP | 20-yard Shuttle: DNP | Bench Press: DNP
Lance Zierlein on Justin Joly:
"Undersized pass-catcher with the ability to expand the route tree and challenge man coverage around the field. Joly still needs to polish his route-running but he has the footwork and athletic traits to uncover. He doesn’t catch with much hand extension and fights throws on occasion but he makes up for it with impressive body control/catch toughness. His effort and strain as a blocker need to improve. Joly has the ability to contribute as a moveable “F” tight end."
Joe Royer earned 3rd-Team All-Big 12 honors in 2025 after recording 29 receptions for 416 yards and four touchdowns in 13 starts at Cincinnati. He previously earned 1st-Team All-Big 12 recognition in 2024 after setting a school record for a tight end with 50 receptions for 521 yards and three touchdowns in 12 starts. Royer began his career at Ohio State, appearing in 14 games from 2021–23 as a reserve before transferring to Cincinnati. He finished his collegiate career with 83 receptions for 961 yards and seven touchdowns.
Joe Royer's Combine Results
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 247 | Arms: 31 1/2 | Hands: 10 3/4
40-yard Dash: DNP | 10-yard Split: DNP | Vertical Jump: DNP
Broad Jump: DNP | 3-Cone: DNP | 20-yard Shuttle:DNP | Bench Press: DNP
Joe Royer is Bucky Brooks’ 4th-ranked TE on his By Position 1.0 and tied with Notre Dame's Eli Raridon for the biggest hands for tight ends at the Combine (10 3/4"). Royer measured similarly to 2-time Pro Bowl TE Julius Thomas.
Lance Zierlein on Joe Royer:
"Two-year starter at Cincinnati after three uneventful seasons at Ohio State. Royer is low-cut with a long torso and good foot quickness. He is better over the first two levels, with a more basic route tree allowing him to flow. He’s physical as a pass-catcher when needed and makes combat catches that others might drop. He shows enough toughness and technique as a blocker to expect him to improve in that area. Royer has TE2/3 potential if he continues to polish his game."
Dallen Bentley earned 3rd-Team All-Big 12 honors in 2025 after recording 48 receptions for 620 yards and six touchdowns in 13 games with 12 starts at Utah, tying for the team lead in receiving touchdowns. He previously played in 12 games with seven starts in 2024 and appeared in six games as a reserve in 2023 after transferring from Snow College, where he earned 2nd-Team Junior College All-American honors in 2022. Bentley finished his collegiate career with 51 receptions for 640 yards and six touchdowns.
Dallen Bentley's Combine Results:
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 253 | Arms: 33 1/8 | Hands: 9 1/4
40-yard Dash: 4.62 | 10-yard Split: 1.62 | Vertical Jump: 35
Broad Jump: 9-10 | 3-Cone: DNP | 20-yard Shuttle: 4.42 | Bench Press: 24
Dallen Bentley is Bucky Brooks’ 3rd-ranked TE on his By Position 1.0 and measured and tested very similarly to Packers tight end Tucker Kraft.
Lance Zierlein on Dallen Bentley:
"With just three catches over his first two seasons at Utah, Bentley’s 48 grabs in 2025 came as a surprise. He has the build of an in-line tight end but mostly uses his size to occupy defenders instead of digging into blocks. A heavy portion of his catches came against zone, so he will need to refine his route running and contested-catch technique to prove he can win on his own. Bentley’s NFL future could depend on his ability to play with more tenacity and technique as a run blocker since his catch production from 2025 might not translate."
Jack Endries started all 13 games for Texas in 2025 and recorded 33 receptions for 346 yards and three touchdowns after transferring from California. He previously earned Honorable Mention All-ACC honors in 2024 after leading California with 56 receptions for 623 yards in 13 starts and was named a Freshman All-American in 2023 after recording 35 receptions for 407 yards in 13 starts. Endries redshirted as a walk-on in 2022 before emerging as a full-time starter the following seasons. He finished his collegiate career with 124 receptions for 1,376 yards and seven touchdowns.
Jack Endries' Combine Results
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 245 | Arms: 31 1/8 | Hands: 9 5/8
40-yard Dash: 4.62 | 10-yard Split: 1.59 | Vertical Jump: 36
Broad Jump: 9-11 | 3-Cone: DNP | 20-yard Shuttle: DNP | Bench Press: DNP
Lance Zierlein on Jack Endries:
"Endries is a quarterback-friendly “F” tight end who still needs time in the weight room. His route-running can be monotonous and short-area separation uninspiring, but he’s tough, has a rebounder’s feel for boxing out defenders and is a consistent ball-winner even when coverage is draped all over him. He builds speed and is tougher on man coverage when allowed to stretch his legs on longer routes. Run-blocking is a roller-coaster ride of bad losses and quality wins. He lacks the play strength to block ends and whiffs in space on occasion, but he also gets his share of wins on split-zone, lead pulls and combo climbs to the linebacker. Endries should develop into an NFL starter."
Oscar Delp started all 14 games for Georgia in 2025 and recorded 20 receptions for 261 yards and one touchdown after playing in all 14 games with 10 starts in both 2023 and 2024. He recorded a career-high 24 receptions for 284 yards and three touchdowns in 2023 and added a career-high four receiving touchdowns in 2024. Delp appeared in 13 games as a reserve on Georgia’s national championship team in 2022. He finished his collegiate career with 70 receptions for 854 yards and nine touchdowns.
Oscar Delp's Combine Results
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 245 | Arms: 31 5/8 | Hands: 9 1/2
40-yard Dash: DNP | 10-yard Split: DNP | Vertical Jump: DNP
Broad Jump: DNP | 3-Cone: DNP | 20-yard Shuttle: DNP | Bench Press: DNP
Lance Zierlein on Oscar Delp:
"Delp is a fluid athlete with the forward lean, short-area quickness and pure speed to beat linebackers on intermediate routes. His soft hands and smooth catch skills show up on the move, though his short arms and inconsistent finish through contact limit his reliability. He has enough toughness and technique to help in the run game as he improves his strength. Delp projects as a Day 3 prospect with three-down potential and untapped upside as a pass catcher."
