Continuing our series on draft prospects, I’m using the same formula as I have over the last couple of years, separating the players into tiers.
Today’s focus will be on the tight end position. The Patriots need an infusion of talent, with Hunter Henry much closer to the end than the beginning. The veteran wore down as the season progressed, largely because he was asked to do too much as a blocker. The team added Julian Hill to be the ‘Y’ tight end and handle more of that load, but Hill doesn’t project as a big threat in the passing game. Enter a draft pick, from what is considered a loaded class (and yes, I’m assuming they take one this year, finally).
TIER ONE: Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon (6’3, 241 lbs)
After watching him rip through the combine like the norovirus through an elementary school (4.39 40, 43.5” vertical, 11’1” broad jump), I was convinced Sadiq wouldn't make it out of the top 10. A couple of front office folks gave me some pushback on that in the moment. I stood tall. Nothing has changed.
Even though Sadiq has a different body type than Colston Loveland, he’s capable of being that kind of impact player with the ball in his hands. Not only that, but he could be a heavy-volume target. Loveland went 10th. Sadiq fits in Washington (7th overall) and Kansas City (9th). Hell, you know how Cincinnati drafts. You think they wouldn’t be intrigued by him at 10? He’s a great athlete, smooth, and will turbocharge somebody’s offense. Just don’t ask him to continually block at the point of attack.
TIER TWO: Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt (6’4”, 239 lbs)
Stowers is even more in the bigger wide receiver mold than Sadiq. Vandy ran him on jet sweeps, for crying out loud. He went to college as a quarterback before converting to tight end, where he’s been for the last 3 seasons. He is not much of a blocker, largely because I don’t think he wanted to be. Stowers has more to give in that regard, and is certainly an explosive enough athlete (4.51 40, 45.5” vertical, 11’3” broad jump) to improve at it.
“Hands catcher, fast, quick, tracks the ball well down the field and is a problem after the catch,” one scout texted me. “He definitely needs to get stronger. You can see that in the run game but also when LBs get handsy with him.”
TIER THREE: Max Klare (6’4”, 246), Ohio State; Sam Roush(6’6”, 267), Stanford.
Klare was a huge get from Purdue in the transfer portal for 2025, but then posted pedestrian numbers (43 rec, 488 yards) in the Buckeyes' offense. Irrelevant. The best wideout in the country (Jeremiah Smith) and a possible top-10 pick in Carnell Tatedid all the eating, as they should. Klare is a good athlete - not on Sadiq or Stowers’ level - and that shows when OSU would separate him from the formation, be in the slot, or even out wide (couple real nice back-shoulder grabs on the highlight reel). Even saw Klare get over the top of a few safeties, so underestimate him at your own risk. No, he’s not a good blocker. Let’s call it serviceable for now. OSU has its pro day on March 25th. If Klare - who didn’t run or jump at the combine - chooses not to again, I might back off a bit. Then again, someone could be in his ear, saying, 'You’re not getting past us...'
An Ohio State tight end to Mike Vrabel's Patriots? Max Klare checks a lot of boxes. pic.twitter.com/RG65ReFExJ— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) March 17, 2026
Roush is a moose, and while he’s not running by safeties too often (4.7 40), there’s an explosiveness in his lower half that I find intriguing (38.5” vert, 10’6” broad jump). He’s already a pro-level run blocker, a true ‘Y’ tight end. Like, I think Vrabel would throw on the blocking pad to ‘feel’ Roush and come away from that experience smitten. What he lacks is a feel for route-running, and his hands are so-so. I think the first thing can be coached up. And spending time with the JUGS machine post-practice would assist with the latter.
“Solid. I’d feel comfortable running behind him,” one assistant coach told me.
“Wonder if them signing (Julian) Hill would take him out of the Pats’ equation,” texted a scout. “But I think there’s more there as a receiver.”
There is a lot to like with Sam Roush. pic.twitter.com/CNWBIklvFC— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) March 18, 2026
I’m preparing to be salty if one of these two is there at pick 90 (third round) and the Pats go elsewhere. I say this knowing full well Roush might be a day three guy in most people’s eyes. Just not mine.
TIER FOUR: Jack Endries, Texas (6’5”, 245); Michael Trigg, Baylor (6’4”, 240); Oscar Delp, Georgia (6’5”, 245)
Endries is a move tight end, and I would be loath to put him at the point of attack too often, at least at this stage of his development. He needs to spend some quality time in the weight room. But as a pass catcher, it’s easy to see. Didn’t see him separate a ton of tape (4.62 40), but when the ball is in the air, he goes and gets it, using his body well. Not affected much when a safety or LB is getting physical with him. Endries still gets to his spot.
“Soft hands. You don’t hear the ball when it hits his hands,” an assistant coach told me (I haven’t stopped thinking about this quote. I mean, if a tree falls in the woods does it make a sound if there’s no one there to hear it?)
“Not much there after the catch,” noted another.
Trigg is another move tight end with mammoth paws (10 1/2”) and long arms (34.25”). The way he moves in and out of breaks makes him look like he’s 20 pounds lighter. Yet because Trigg is as big as he is, he generally swats away safeties like we handle flies. That’s why I don’t worry too much about the times when he gets moved. I consider it more a concentration thing. Like he knows he can do it. He just didn’t on that snap. Talk to me in six months (if he ends up here), and I’ll let you know if I’m as dismissive. A bad-ass in the red area. Not a sharp route runner, nor much of a blocker. At least when he’s on the LOS. Better when he’s asked to get DBs.
I can appreciate what Michael Trigg (Baylor) brings at 6'4", 240 lbs. pic.twitter.com/ydKhDAOM14— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) March 17, 2026
Delp is an interesting case study. My guess is he would have risen at the combine, but it was discovered he had a hairline fracture in his foot. Thus, no workouts. Delp, however, is expected to work out at Georgia’s Pro Day (today). Yes, he’s another move tight end. Pros: good hands. Solid technician. Runs well. Wins versus man (LBs). Cons: Short arms, can be knocked off the ball, doesn’t appear to be particularly strong (relatively).
Others of note: Joe Royer, Cincinnati; Justin Joly, NC State; Eli Rairdon, Notre Dame; Marlin Klein, Michigan; Seydou Traore, Mississippi State (former collegiate basketball player)
