Best available TE in 2026 NFL Draft: Updated results, top prospects still on board
Best available TE in 2026 NFL Draft: Updated results, top prospects still on board originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The NFL Draft has arrived. No more conjecture or hypothetical. Five months of preparations and the biggest job interview in the world will now become real.
Viewers have become accustomed to certain similarities. The best quarterbacks, edge rushers, offensive linemen and cornerbacks are towards the top, while running backs, safeties and linebackers are less prioritized at the top. In 2026, they throw out almost all the positional tendencies and trends.
Tight ends, like running backs and quarterbacks, have one guy at the top. Then a drop-off for the rest of the pack. Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq is this year's athletic freak. He will garner most of the Tight End attention until he comes off the board.
Behind Sadiq though, there are several intriguing options. The tight ends projected in the first four rounds will be contenders to be TE1 on many teams. Later on Day 3 should still provide options for teams in search of tight end help or depth.
Best available TE in 2026 NFL Draft
| Name | School | HT | WT | Range | Pick | Team |
| Kenyon Sadiq | Oregon | 6'3 | 245 | Rd 1 | 16 | Jets |
| Eli Stowers | Vanderbilt | 6'4 | 235 | Rd 2-3 | 54 | Eagles |
| Max Klare | Ohio St | 6'5 | 243 | Rd 2-3 | 61 | Rams |
| Jack Endries | Texas | 6'4 | 236 | Rd 2-3 | ||
| Michael Trigg | Baylor | 6'4 | 240 | Rd 2-3 | ||
| Justin Joly | NC State | 6'3 | 263 | Rd 2-4 | 152 | Broncos |
| Sam Roush | Stanford | 6'5 | 260 | Rd 2-4 | 69 | Bears |
| Marlin Klein | Michigan | 6'6 | 250 | Rd 3-5 | 59 | Texans |
| Josh Cuevas | Alabama | 6'3 | 256 | Rd 3-5 | 173 | Ravens |
| Nate Boerkircher | Texas A&M | 6'4 | 250 | Rd 3-5 | 56 | Jaguars |
| Joe Royer | Cincinnati | 6'5 | 250 | Rd 3-5 | 170 | Browns |
| Eli Raridon | Notre Dame | 6'7 | 252 | Rd 3-5 | 95 | Patriots |
| Miles Kitselman | Tennessee | 6'5 | 255 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Tanner Koziol | Houston | 6'7 | 250 | Rd 4-6 | 164 | Jaguars |
| Dallen Bentley | Utah | 6'4 | 259 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| John Michael Gyllenborg | Wyoming | 6'5 | 250 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Dae'Quan Wright | Ole Miss | 6'4 | 255 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Oscar Delp | Georgia | 6'5 | 245 | Rd 4 | 73 | Saints |
| Max Bredeson | Michigan | 6'2 | 250 | Rd 4-6 | 159 | Vikings |
| Lake McRee | USC | 6'4 | 250 | Rd 5-7 | ||
| Seydou Traore | Mississippi St | 6'4 | 235 | Rd 5-7 | 180 | Dolphins |
| Riley Nowakowski | Indiana | 6'2 | 249 | Rd 5-7 | ||
| Jaren Kanak | Oklahoma | 6'2 | 233 | Rd 5-7 | ||
| DJ Rogers | TCU | 6'4 | 250 | Rd 5-7 | ||
| RJ Maryland | SMU | 6'4 | 240 | Rd 5-7 | ||
| Carson Ryan | BYU | 6'4 | 250 | Rd 5-7 |
Social Media Reactions to TE selections in 2026 NFL Draft
Let’s get to work, Bauer Sharp ‼️ pic.twitter.com/7aRKE0MNpK— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) April 25, 2026
Mississippi State TE Seydou Traore from the International Pathway Program is drafted by the @MiamiDolphins in the 5th round! @NFLUKIRE
NFL Draft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/lYppXAL2dM— NFL (@NFL) April 25, 2026
BREAKING: The #Ravens select Alabama TE Josh Cuevas with the 173rd pick in the #NFLDraftpic.twitter.com/A0dT1Wymxn— SleeperRavens (@SleeperRavenss) April 25, 2026
Round 5, Pick 170: Joe Royer, TE • Cincinnati pic.twitter.com/ocbGvULnbu— The Dawgs - A Cleveland Browns Podcast (@thedawgspodcast) April 25, 2026
The Steelers select Indiana TE/FB Riley Nowakowski with the 169th pick. pic.twitter.com/1MZSzyn5zs— Steelers Black and Gold Nation (@B_GNation1) April 25, 2026
We have selected Houston TE Tanner Koziol with the No. 164 overall pick!@Dream_Finders | #NFLDraftpic.twitter.com/P4penRxnwS— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) April 25, 2026
Vikings select FB Max Bredeson with No. 159 overall pick in 2026 NFL Drafthttps://t.co/1kUIcH8Dtopic.twitter.com/YXSAKQhseP— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) April 25, 2026
NC State TE Justin Joly was selected by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round (No. 152 overall) of the NFL Draft.
More here: https://t.co/EZUdrjn4zKpic.twitter.com/rH1TyjbpWq— The Wolfpacker (@TheWolfpacker) April 25, 2026
Next up, @MatthewHibner ❗❗ pic.twitter.com/J8XO7tPnMI— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 25, 2026
The Patriots take Notre Dame tight end Eli Raridon in the third round, 95th overall. pic.twitter.com/QD8vgA52Tm— WEEI (@WEEI) April 25, 2026
A run-blocking specialist. ✋
With the 87th pick, we have selected Will Kacmarek from @OhioStateFBpic.twitter.com/bYAKZCsb37— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) April 25, 2026
Georgia TE Oscar Delp is headed to NOLA!
Shough got a weapon at TE 😤 pic.twitter.com/9N4CkKZmzi— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) April 25, 2026
#Eagles Select OT Markel Bell with 68th Pick #FlyEaglesFlypic.twitter.com/yzPIlr6hKz— All About The Birds (@AATBirds) April 25, 2026
With the No. 61 overall pick in the 2026 @NFLDraft, the @RamsNFL select Max Klare.
NFL Draft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/xCiP9rkdJx— NFL (@NFL) April 25, 2026
The #Texans will select Michigan TE Marlin Klein at No. 59.
A German-born prospect with limited experience (12 starts), Klein flashes more ability than his role at Michigan allowed him to show. https://t.co/ginJfiDTWopic.twitter.com/GQe217Dje5— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 25, 2026
With the No. 54 overall pick in the 2026 @NFLDraft, the @Eagles select Eli Stowers.
NFL Draft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/Ub1UyyRD1P— NFL (@NFL) April 25, 2026
Kenyon Sadiq is bringing his athleticism to the @nyjets!
2026 NFL Draft starts on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/8pXakMxiIp— NFL (@NFL) April 24, 2026
2026 NFL Draft How to Watch
The 2026 NFL draft kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday in Pittsburgh (ESPN, ABC and NFL Network-- available on Fubo), The Las Vegas Raiders will likely select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick.
More 2026 NFL Draft news:
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