Scoping Tight Ends
February 21st, 2026
Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq.
Joe admits to being torn when it comes to the Bucs’ tight ends and the draft.
Joe waffles on Cade Otton. Joe was ready to let Otton, a free agent, walk after his ho-hum 2025 season. But the more Joe thought, perhaps Otton wasn’t used right by former Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard?
Otton made a tremendous, long catch in the Bucs’ win at Seattle and he scored a 19-yard touchdown catch in the final game against Carolina.
Still, an upgrade at tight end wouldn’t be wrongheaded.
Joe is smitten with two college tight ends: Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq and Baylor’s Michael Trigg. Those dudes go after the ball downfield, are tough to cover and are wonderful athletes.
Some have had Sadiq mocked to the Bucs at No. 15 and Joe would not be angry with that at all. However, former NFL scout and current NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah thinks Sadiq at No. 15 is a little bit of a reach.
In a Zoom call with #NFLMedia this week, Jeremiah was asked about the Eagles drafting Sadiq with Dallas Goedert being a free agent. An Eagles beat writer compared Sadiq with Indianapolis tight end Tyler Warren and Chicago tight end Colston Loveland (No. 10) and Indianapolis tight end Tyler Warren (No. 14) drafted last year.
Jeremiah advised the Eagles beat guy to slow down.
While Jeremiah likes Sadiq, he thinks Sadiq is not a good comp to lump him, Loveland and Warren together.
“I think Sadiq is talented player, but he’s not in the same grade for me as those guys you just mentioned from last year with Colson Loveland and Tyler Warren,” Jeremiah said. “[Sadiq is] just not going to be as big. He’s going to be around 6-foot, 3-[inches], 245 pounds. [Loveland and Warren] are just bigger guys.
“You know, [Sadiq is] gonna run like crazy. He’s gonna jump out of the gym. Super dynamic, super explosive, you know, really good. Someone who can take quick screens from the tight end position and do things with it, with the explosiveness and the ability to just run away from everybody.
” … But I don’t think he’s as polished as Loveland or Warren.”
In his first two mocks, Jeremiah has Sadiq going in the 20s. Joe has to be honest, Joe gets what Jeremiah is saying but he did nothing to talk Joe off the ledge that the Bucs should draft him.
Perhaps the Bucs could trade back a little, pick up an extra pick, and then get Sadiq in the 20s?
One guy Jeremiah suggested as a second-round sleeper is Ohio State tight end Max Klare. Jeremiah said Klare didn’t have a lot of numbers last season and he suggested Klare got lost in the shuffle with a fully loaded Buckeyes offense.
However, Jeremiah said when Klare was at Purdue and was much more of a target for the Boilermakers, Klare reminded Jeremiah of Detroit tight end Sam LaPorta.
Kenyon Sadiq had the potential to be the best Tight End in the NFL.
He is one of the freakiest athletes you'll ever see, and should be a top 20 pick.
– Most athletic TE potentially ever
– Very fluid route runner
– Great Blocker
– Elite red zone threat pic.twitter.com/uobD8KEUVq— Cam (@42Cyc) February 1, 2026
February 21st, 2026 at 11:09 am
On the ONE hand, Otton will get $10 million-iish, which we could trade for a rookie salary
February 21st, 2026 at 11:33 am
If they take TE in round 1 or 2 there will be fans with pitchforks storming RayJ. Or should be
February 21st, 2026 at 11:52 am
A tight end is a luxury we can ill-afford with several defensive players that are not good enough to be starting- especially SVD. Our first 4 picks should be ILB-ILB-EDGE-DT in any order of player rankings available. If Styles and Howell are gone, we should trade back too.
February 21st, 2026 at 11:55 am
Goedert great blocker as Saquon will admit. Would rather see the Bucs go FA than use a draft pick. Cade Otton is more than serviceable but time to work Culp into meaningful minutes. Like Braswell, if TBowles won’t use these guys, they need to go away. Don’t think either has had a fair shot.
February 21st, 2026 at 11:55 am
Are we ever going to seriously see what Devin culp is capable of?
February 21st, 2026 at 12:06 pm
I’m good on taking TE in rd 1. See what happen when we took OJ Howard ?
February 21st, 2026 at 12:12 pm
No need to worry about the TE position, seems like ppl are overreacting when they have 5 WRs they cant even get the ball to. Lets focus on the strength of this team, plenty of options to replace tge TE position. Otton isnt worth 8 milly let alone 10. There are other FAs like Likely, Fant, Okwonkwo, Geodert, Conklin, etc. Some players may get cut like Cole Kmet and the Bucs could offer a very late round pick to teams just to recoupe something in return. Also, I think Pat Freiermuth could be an awesome add. He seems unhappy in pitt, hasn’t had chemistry with Rodgers and hasn’t been utilized as much as he used to be. Maybe a 4th or 5th roubder could get it done. I’d kick tires, he is a good TE. So plenty of options available no need to panic.
February 21st, 2026 at 12:13 pm
Neither of these two are worthy at #15. Sadiq is basically a big WR playing TE. Pass on both. Taking the best available is a good plan until you get punched in the face. Unless a difference maker like Love falls, Bucs must go defense in the 1st round. Now if you told me they could trade down, pick up an extra #2, and still draft one of these TEs along with two 2nd rounders on D, I’d say bravo Jason.
February 21st, 2026 at 12:13 pm
What StPetematt said
February 21st, 2026 at 12:15 pm
Cade Otton is very good…Coen knew how to use him.
Last year, he was used in ways that removed him from being productive.
As to adding another TE in the first…NO! DEFENSE!
February 21st, 2026 at 12:41 pm
ALL of this depends on what Jason does in FA. The only offensive player I would possibly use the #15 pick on is a difference maker like Love. WLB almost had me with only D at #15, and that is hard to argue against. But Love is a generational talent, I don’t think I could pass on Love if he is there. But he is the only one.
The first 3 rounds need to be dedicated to defense. We need arguably 2 ILBs, 2 OLBs and 2 DLs. 1 for each of those can and should come from FA. A rookie OLB is not going to do much.
Somewhere in here we need a good RB, either FA or draft. Maybe 4th rd?
We do NOT need to draft a OG in the first round. Brendonson is not going anywhere. He is a decent OG and can swing over to C as we saw last season. We have 5 capable starters but we need a good backup Guard that I am sure Jason can find in the (4th?) or 5th round.
February 21st, 2026 at 12:44 pm
TE?
We have 4 great receivers. It will be very hard to spread the ball around next year.
TE? Are you kidding me?
We need a DT, a DE, an EDGE, 3 Middle linebackers, 2 guards, a RT, 2 corners, and a BLOCKING Tight End.
February 21st, 2026 at 12:49 pm
Yea, just watched the video and it is very impressive Joe. Very spectacular catches, But that could have been a highlight film of 3 of the Bucs WRs: ME, CG and EE.
Love at RB, completely changes the Offense in a way that no TE can (except maybe Gronk).
And you know who would be a game changer on D? Crosby. VV, Clancy, Yaya and Crosby would make our DBs look like All Pros. But we would still need 2 ILBs
February 21st, 2026 at 12:49 pm
Totally get why he didn’t play. He can’t block and with all the injuries the Bucs had on the offensive line the Bucs needing blocking (which is maybe why Otton was used so much as a blocking tight end).
February 21st, 2026 at 1:28 pm
If the Bucs go for a big DY early it might be a signal they’re ready to switch into a version of the 4-3. It would make some sense, as that style requires just one MLB and the team is so thin at that spot. Or, it might just be time to revisit the old 3-4 with two size monsters in the middle. Then Todd’s extra safety could come into play.
OTOH it’s hard to imagine Todd switching out of the current setup.
February 21st, 2026 at 1:37 pm
I still say resign Kieft for his in-line blocking & give Devin Culp more chances as the F-TE vs drafting Sadiq.
Culp ran a 4.47…At basically the same size as Sadiq. (Had Culp been at Oregon played in OC Will Stien’s system…He would have been used the EXACT SAME WAY as Sadiq – who benefitted from so many of UofO WR’s getting hurt in 2025… vs Culp’s Flex TE role in UDub’s O with Penix Jr & WR’s Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan, Ja’Lynn Polk as primary targets.
February 21st, 2026 at 1:51 pm
People are really down on Otton for not much of a reason. He’s certainly not a top flight guy, but he’s still a decent NFL starter and probably won’t cost a ton to resign. But who knows, TE’s get big money in general. I was thinking Otton would get like $5M-$7M, in which case I’m absolutely bringing him back – but that was before the news the cap went up quite a bit, so it might be more like $10M, and people will freak out and say no way, but $10M is like $7M last year. It’s like the idiots yelling about paying a WR $20M a year, as if that’s big money anymore, it’s like paying a guy $12M a few years ago.
Anywho, if you can sign Otton with a nice signed hometown bonus, I’d do so, while also drafting someone. But that someone should be a very strong blocker, because that’s where Otton really struggles.
As for Sadiq – he’s a good fit if they let Otton walk and get a blocking TE in FA. I will say that we hear about super athlete TE’s all the time, and for whatever reason, they rarely live up to their billing in the NFL. Also keep in mind that rarely do rookie TE’s do much, it’s literally the hardest position to learn in football and guys generally take time to develop, so even if you draft a guy in the first round, you still need a solid backup.
For Culp, the guy was, and has been, a lottery ticket and a long term development guy. Someone with his athleticism, to go that late, tells you a lot. Also the fact he was playing in the 4th quarter of the last preseason game also tells you a lot. He’s still stuck around, so they haven’t given up on him yet, and I’m not down on him personally. Hopefully he makes a leap, which is still possible, and starts to finally move up the depth chart. This offseason is probably his last chance to show something – but it was always a long shot, but hopefully thinks click for him.
February 21st, 2026 at 2:00 pm
Bowles is the greatest.
February 21st, 2026 at 2:01 pm
Chig Okonkwo , Isiah Likely , or David Njoku offer the skills that TE should have -Decent blocker and big play capability-one of these-not draft.
February 21st, 2026 at 2:09 pm
You know who else was an incredible athlete and “can’t miss” TE prospect?
OJ Howard
Find me the Super Bowl caliber team that uses 1st round picks on TE’s.
February 21st, 2026 at 4:02 pm
Aren’t receiving TE’s for teams with out good receivers?
February 21st, 2026 at 4:44 pm
Jack Endries, 4th rd. Lets get that Guard or Styles FIRST! then D…watch Endries tape, he can block. Bu qb Roberts 5th, rb 6th unless another good lb is sitting there for another one….need to come away with a cb somewhere too. Thats why im all about trading down and still landing Ioane….i said this with big V back then and im feeling it again….Styles wont be there (probably)
February 21st, 2026 at 6:46 pm
Goofy time of year when all the experts lose their minds. Thankfully there are folks like DJ to talk sense into people.
The Bucs using a top 15 pick on a fing TE would be completely laughable. The Bucs need Edge, DT, ILber, Guard, CB, maybe RB..if Orton walks, they would need to sign a vet in FA or draft a guy in the 4th-6th rounds.
Please stop with the TE in round one talk. Especially a 6’2″ guy who is essentially a WR. Pasadena
February 21st, 2026 at 9:05 pm
Honestly I don’t know enough about the draft to pick a target guy yet.
Te not what I consider a high value for rd 1.
Dt de qb wr or elite cb/fs are thing I spend first round picks on.
Rb te lb guards centers are 2nd or later unless their elite tier talent.
Could this guy be elite idk but he better ba able to block like a lt in running n pass game..catch like a God stretch the field lile wr and red zone target. I’m hear about 3 te on the market I love to anyone of them..I lile us to sure up te in free agency n potentially bring otton back if the new o cord likes what he sees.
February 22nd, 2026 at 1:09 am
Resign Cade at $7M
Durham – blocking and red zone, utilize him, on rookie contract
Culp- mismatch nightmare, utilize him, on rookie contract
Resign Kieft – 1 year cheap deal. Blocking and special teams
Done, go spend money elsewhere
Is it me or does Joe write a TE article every 2 days??. Geez, must be slow on the news desk…
February 22nd, 2026 at 3:10 am
Joe Says: “Perhaps the Bucs could trade back a little, pick up an extra pick, and then get Sadiq in the 20s?”
This Jeremiah guy says the exact same thing I said last week about Sadiq. I like him much more around the 25-range, and with Warren. I said with Warren, YOU JUST KNEW. With Sadiq, you just DON’T. Warren honestly, should’ve gone on the Top-10. He’s just DIFFERENT. But, I do like the Bucs trading back, picking up an additional pick (in ‘27, if they can do it), and then taking Sadiq at #26-#28+. I can see a scenario where Love falls, if he gets past the Saints… The ‘Boys just extended Javonte Williams. The Dolphins need A LOT. Would McVay take him!? Could a new Baltimore head coach (Minter) pass on Derrick Henry’s replacement!? It’d be tough. Especially, if he’s really Eric Dickerson, a faster Emmitt Smith, and Bijan Robinson-like, as what Todd McShay says! If that’s the case, then he won’t make-it to and still be there for NOLA and their new franchise QB.
February 22nd, 2026 at 3:12 am
Buy one!
Pitts in Pewter!
Unlike a draft pick you know what he is as a NFL player.
The SINGLE biggest bestest thing to improve the passing game!
February 22nd, 2026 at 4:03 am
Wouldn’t touch Sadiq in the 1st at all. Jeremiah is right about him being not in the same class of prospect as last year’s top TEs. Potential, but nowhere near realizing it.
I’d rather see a late day 3/UDFA punt on someone like the Canadian kid at Arkansas (Jones) or even Lake McRee at USC. Jones in particular looks to be that guy who was underutilized (and had a weird path to this point).
1st rounder needs to go LB/Edge (Styles/Reese/Bain/Bailey hopefully – good chance they’re all gone tbf, maybe they like someone else)… maybe even CB if the first two are out of prospects you like sufficiently.
February 22nd, 2026 at 8:33 pm
Tight end could be improved but it’s the least of the Bucs problems right now – with or without Otton. 6th round or later including UDFA. The Bucs have far more pressing needs!
Same goes for running back. A great offensive line makes the most average running back look great.