Sadiq NFL Draft: Oregon Loses Top Tight End

The move did not come as a surprise, but it was not final until recently. After the clear 56:22 defeat against Indiana in the College Football Playoff semifinals, Sadiq left his future open and spoke of “unfinished business”. Now he said loudly ESPN known: The 20-year-old is forgoing his final year of college and is focusing entirely on the next step in his career.

Sadiq was one of the key players in Oregon’s attack last season. He led all college football tight ends in receiving touchdowns with 51 receptions for 560 yards and eight touchdowns. Overall, he has 80 catches, 892 yards and 11 touchdowns in his Ducks career – numbers that underscore his consistent role as a matchup problem. Head coach Dan Lanning praised him clearly during the season: “We have the best tight end in the country. He makes us better and is extremely difficult to defend.”

In the current big boards, Sadiq is listed as the clear number one tight end in the 2026 draft class, and in some cases even as a possible top 10 pick. At 1.90 meters, 111 kilograms and highly athletic, he has the modern profile for the position. Oregon not only used him as a pass receiver, but also in designed runs – another argument for his versatility at the NFL level.

Despite the high-profile departure, Oregon remains well positioned at the tight end position. Jamari Johnson is expected as a possible successor, with Penn State transfer Andrew Olesh and five-star recruit Kendre’ Harrison adding further building blocks for the future. In the short term, however, Oregon is losing its most productive tight end – in the long term, Sadiq, one of the country’s greatest offensive talents, is saying goodbye to the NFL.