Kenyon Sadiq draws comparison to Vernon Davis from NFL Draft expert

The 2026 NFL Draft is coming up at the end of the month, and the Oregon Ducks expect to hear several names called during the three-day event. Kenyon Sadiq expects to hear his name called early, rated by many as the top tight end available.

Sadiq has a wide range of projected landing spots in the draft, from as early as No. 9 to the Kansas City Chiefs all the way through to the back of the first round. Despite being undersized for the position, Sadiq's speed and athleticism as a pass catcher and as a physical run blocker have franchises lining up to select him.

The widespread praise from scouting departments and draft experts has set the expectations high for the Oregon tight end to produce as soon as he steps on the field. In a recent appearance on "The Joel Klatt Show," NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah likened Sadiq to another former athletic freak who played 14 seasons in the league.

"Vernon Davis being the most obvious one that's out there," Jeremiah said when asked who the NFL comparison for Sadiq is. "He's so twitchy and explosive and dynamic. I don't think you're talking about someone who's going to be a real feel, option route tight end. You think about (Travis) Kelce and how he plays the game, that's not going to be (Sadiq). It's going to be more about speed and running away from guys, the strength to break tackles ... Vernon Davis, when he wanted to, he could drive guys off the field as a blocker."

Davis was a two-time Pro Bowler in his career, which he spent with the San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos and Washington Commanders. Although he never broke 1,000 receiving yards in a given season, he did catch 13 touchdowns in 2009, tied for the most in the NFL that season with Larry Fitzgerald and Randy Moss. Davis was nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the first time in 2025, but was not a finalist.

Sadiq already has some bragging rights over the former great tight end. In February, Sadiq broke Davis' 40-yard dash record for tight ends at the NFL scouting combine, posting a 4.39-second run. Davis ran a 4.40-second 40-yard dash back in 2006, and the record stood for 20 years until Sadiq came along.

Given Sadiq's wide range of potential selections on draft night, there is a chance he could fall to No. 27 and be taken by the 49ers, who drafted Davis No. 6 overall in 2006. The 49ers have an aging star in George Kittle, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the postseason. If Sadiq were to stay out west, San Francisco could hope to mold the athletic monster from the Ducks into a long-term weapon at tight end, following in the footsteps of Davis 20 years later.

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: NFL Draft analyst compares Kenyon Sadiq to former NFL star