Ranking 9 tight ends in the 2026 NFL Draft

Georgia tight end Oscar Delp (4) scores a touchdown during the second half of a NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech in Athens, Ga., on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. | Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

It’s NFL Draft Season! Before you read, some important context…

I’ve ranked these players based on the Eagles’ needs and scheme fit. So while I may rate player ‘X’ higher than player ‘Y’ on pure talent, ‘Y’ could rank higher here due to fit or need. Focus more on tiers than exact order. Players in the same tier have similar grades, with minimal separation. I may note injury or off-field concerns, but they aren’t factored into rankings that often due to limited information. If a player isn’t listed, I haven’t evaluated them yet. I’ll try to get to as many prospects as possible.

You can find more on my podcast, and I’ll be releasing some videos on these prospects over on Patreon.

Tight End

The Eagles’ tight end room currently sits at Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, and new signing Johnny Mundt. That looks like a serviceable group on paper, but there’s no guarantee all three are here beyond this year, and none of them represents a long-term answer as a complete, every-down tight end. There’s still room for a young tight end to come in and develop, and depending on how the offseason shakes out, that role could grow quickly. The ideal target profile remains a player who can hold up as an inline blocker, contribute in the run game, and develop as a receiving option over time. Pure receiving tight ends without credible blocking ability are a harder sell for me based on what we saw last year.

Tier 1: Round 1

1. Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

Overall: One of the most intriguing offensive weapons in this class. Sadiq is a fluid move tight end whose speed and athleticism create genuine mismatches as a vertical threat. His combination of size, speed, and willingness to block is rare for the position. He’s a matchup nightmare.

Eagles Thoughts: I don’t think Sadiq will make it to 23, but I would love him there if he does. Finding elite tight ends is hard, and a player with his speed, athleticism, and willingness to block is always going to be worth a look.

Tier 2: Rounds 2-3

2. Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt

Overall: A highly productive receiving tight end whose ball skills and route running make him a genuine weapon in the passing game. However, his size and limited inline-blocking ability limit his overall profile and raise questions about how a team deploys him on early downs.

Eagles Thoughts: I’ve told myself I don’t want a tight end like this anymore, and then I turn on the film. I’m obsessed with blocking tight ends right now, but Stowers would add something real to this roster. You just have to have a clear plan for him. I could understand it in the second round, but the blocking concern doesn’t go away.

3. Max Klare, Ohio State

Overall: A versatile tight end whose movement skills and route running allow him to function as a receiving chess piece. His size suggests he could contribute more as an inline blocker, but the tape doesn’t back that up yet, so there’s real projection involved in his blocking development.

Eagles Thoughts: Klare has the size and physical tools to develop into a good all-around tight end, but right now, he’s a Round 3 player for me. The blocking projection is significant, and I’d want to see more explosive downfield catches before committing to him any higher.

4. Oscar Delp, Georgia

Overall: Delp has one of the most complete profiles of any tight end in this class. He can line up in the slot, as an H-back, or as an inline blocker, giving offensive coordinators genuine alignment flexibility. He may not have TE1 upside (although I’m not sure he’s far off), but he could be an excellent TE2. The lack of production is the major concern given his pedigree.

Eagles Thoughts: Opinions on Delp are all over the place because the production is so limited. I think that limited production could push him to the third round, and at that price, I’d be a big fan. He’s one of my personal target players for this team at the right value.

5. Sam Roush, Stanford

Overall: A physical inline tight end whose strength and blocking ability define his role, but he brings receiving upside alongside some impressive athletic traits. His major limitation is short arms and a restricted catch radius, which will put some teams off him completely.

Eagles Thoughts: This is exactly the kind of profile I want the Eagles to target. Roush is a physical blocker who can break tackles and has the athleticism to suggest his receiving role can genuinely grow over time. This is probably above consensus, but I like him at the back end of Day 2. One of my personal favorite targets for this team, alongside Delp.

Tier 3: Rounds 3-4

6. Justin Joly, NC State

Overall: A big receiving tight end whose size, movement skills, and impressive catch radius make him a clear passing-game weapon. He has the frame to develop as a blocker, giving him a more complete long-term profile than most pure receiving tight ends in this class.

Eagles Thoughts: Joly is primarily a receiving tight end right now, and his catch radius and size are real assets that could push him into the back end of Day 2. He has some great traits for the position, and his frame gives you reason to believe the blocking can develop with time and coaching.

7. Michael Trigg, Baylor

Overall: Trigg plays more like a big wide receiver than a traditional tight end, and he’ll need to develop as a blocker to become a full-time contributor at the next level. He has an absurd catch radius, but questions remain around his separation ability and explosiveness after the catch.

Eagles Thoughts: This isn’t the profile I want the Eagles to prioritize, and although Trigg has genuine talent, he’s more of a Round 4 option than a Day 2 investment. The blocking development required is significant, but I can respect some of the receiving ability.

8. Jack Endries, Texas

Overall: A productive receiving tight end whose route-running and hands make him a reliable passing-game option with some decent movement traits. His lack of inline strength is a problem, but he blocks with real effort and willingness, which at least gives you something to develop.

Eagles Thoughts: I like Endries at the start of Day 3 as a potentially solid receiving tight end who has the work ethic to develop as a blocker if he can add strength. The effort is there; the question is whether the physical tools can catch up.

Tier 4: Round 5+

9. Joe Royer, Cincinnati

Overall: A decent route runner whose lack of size and length means he could end up functioning more as an H-back than a true inline tight end at the next level. He’s a scheme-dependent player who needs the right system to maximize his limited physical profile.

Eagles Thoughts: I wasn’t overly impressed with Royer, and I think it will take a creative offensive mind to get the best out of him. He’s a mid-Day 3 player for me. Fine as a late-round developmental piece, but not someone I’d be targeting with any urgency.

Thank you for reading! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to comment below and ask any questions. If you enjoyed this piece, you can find more of my work and podcasthere. If you would like to support me further, please check out my Patreon here!