Ex-GM: Film Concerns For Kenyon Sadiq; Bucs Should Steer Clear
April 18th, 2026
“Mr. Glazer, people think I’m drafting a tight end at No. 15.”
A guy hanging out at the NFL Scouting Combine with Todd Bowles in late February was talking about the Bucs’ upcoming draft this week.
Former Gators running back, Titans general manager and longtime 49ers and Rams personnel guy Ran Carthon now applies his scouting skills to the CBS Sports draft team.
In a draft discussion yesterday, Carthon sat with former Steelers defensive back Bryant McFadden and NFL insider Prickly Pete Prisco. Carthon and his crew agreed that the athleticism and speed showcased by University of Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq does not match his game film. McFadden emphasized seeing Sadiq play in person where “you don’t see the explosive nature and overall speed when he plays in pads.”
Joe brings this up because lots of draft gurus think the Bucs will be eager to draft Sadiq at No. 15 overall. Carthon does not see the Bucs as a fit.
Put Carthon in the camp of those handing Akheem Mesidor, the University of Miami edge rusher, to Tampa Bay.
Carthon says the 2026 tight end class is so underrated, he feels the Bucs could find similar projection to what Sadiq can deliver much later in the draft. The current Bucs roster also dictates the Mesidor pick.
“If they had to roll out on the field right now, they’re starting outside linebackers in their 3-4 system, would be Al-Quadin Muhammed and YaYa Diaby,” Carthon said, noting that is unacceptable.
As for Mesidor, Carthon believes he can be a terror rushing inside but his outside juice comes with question marks. “I just know if you have this guy on your team, he’s going to find a way to get to the quarterback.”
The Joe typing here thinks the Bucs going edge rusher on Thursday night is the clear chalk pick. And they desperately need the talent upgrade at the position. However, edge rushers have a way of flying off the draft board in a hurry.
April 18th, 2026 at 2:08 pm
Just doesn’t feel right more and more
April 18th, 2026 at 2:12 pm
This is the Joe who knows that our Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator is the master of developing young edge rushers into pro bowl talents.
Oh, wait.
April 18th, 2026 at 2:13 pm
Rd 1 Bain or Mesidor
Rd 2 Hill Jr or Rodriquez
Rd 3 top CB on board
Rd 4 TE Trigg
Rd5 G
April 18th, 2026 at 2:24 pm
Is Mesidor a stand-up LB in 3-4? Seems to me most of his success came when playing with hand in the dirt. Genuine question.
Also leery of all the smoke in week leading up to draft.
April 18th, 2026 at 2:24 pm
Lots of pressure on teams, scouts, and draft gurus to find the next great edge rusher. Too many of these edges are over-rated. I’m talking generalities and not Mesidor in particular.
April 18th, 2026 at 2:24 pm
A first round TE won’t plug the holes on a sinking ship
April 18th, 2026 at 2:26 pm
The hole isn’t actually a player.
April 18th, 2026 at 2:31 pm
I watched Indiana massacre the Oregon Ducks twice last season
Indiana defense is undersized, but they are skilled and quick
Dante Moore and the Ducks offense struggled both games
Those two games are what skyrocketed Mendoza past Moore for the Heisman
Kenyon Sadiq was a no show in both games
He caught 7 passes for 50 yards, 0 TD, both games combined
I can’t believe these so call experts are placing him so high
I get the combine showing, his speed and measurements
But the on field production is way to low
April 18th, 2026 at 2:32 pm
Mesidor seems like a high character guy from the interviews I’ve seen. Kind of sus he has did not participate in the workouts but in the end that doesn’t matter. He does have some experience in coverage. He could be a solid pick.
April 18th, 2026 at 2:34 pm
Really wrong about Sadiq. Bucs will regret not taking him if still available at 15. There are two offensive difference makers in this draft, Jeremyah Love and Kenyon Sadiq. The 2026 season will prove the point if these guys stay healthy.
April 18th, 2026 at 2:39 pm
Sane people understand this, the ones who watched a 2 minute highlight reel are going to be upset though
April 18th, 2026 at 2:43 pm
You could trade back to at least 20 and still get this dude. And like 3:28 said, we don’t even use edge dudes to rush the passer on a regular basis. Trade back and get the Buckeye DT. Vita is getting up there in age, and Kancey staying healthy is me being hopeful, Joes favorite word!
April 18th, 2026 at 2:48 pm
Draft OL 1st.
April 18th, 2026 at 2:50 pm
HCGrover, I would be cool with that. We could trade back and still get a good Guard.
April 18th, 2026 at 2:55 pm
Gotta build in the trenches! Trade back and get a DT or G. Gotta get an extra pick. We need a LB, DB(preferably a Corner), and maybe an edge(cough) in the first 3 rounds.
April 18th, 2026 at 2:56 pm
Watching the tape, Sadiq has very good hands, looks fast – but his blocking was nearly non-existent in what I saw. Also his college production was not impressive at all – which is really something I don’t understand considering his physical skills. To me, I’m not drafting him at #15. That’s not to say I think he’s a bad player or anything, in the NFL I’m sure he’ll put up some good numbers, basically playing the role of a WR, and maybe he learns to block some, but he’s not very big for a TE, but can jump out of the building, and is very strong compared to WRs.
But I also agree with the idea that there’s a number of guys who are around his size and weight, maybe a tick slower but also have great hands, that also can’t block – and those guys will be around in the 3rd I think.
Of course I’ve also said the guy who I’d go after is the only good blocker I’ve seen that also can catch, and that is Sam Roush, who should be available in the 3rd. If the Bucs can trade back and get an extra pick, that would be my guy to pair with Otton – who is already a very good receiving TE. Roush, to me, is the only TE in this class that has any chance at all of becoming the next Gronk, but he will take longer to develop as he’s a classic (ie real) TE and those guys take a while to develop. If this happened, all the box score dopes will yell and scream that the box picked a bust as the other receiving TEs, who are just receivers, will put up nice numbers early and Roush likely won’t – but a TE should be able to block, and I didn’t see much of that in this draft at all.
April 18th, 2026 at 2:57 pm
Finally an anti Sadiq article. So many other article claiming he’s the ultimate weapon, yet he couldn’t muster 1000 yards…in his entire college career.
April 18th, 2026 at 3:06 pm
In 2 games against Indiana, Sadiq had 7 catches 50 yards
So he average 7 yards a catch, which isn’t much
And he had a 21 and 13 yard catch,
So his other 5 catches, he averaged 3 yards a catch
Those are the only games they lost all year
April 18th, 2026 at 3:13 pm
Meanwhile, for some odd reason Malik Benson who also played for Oregon is projected to go day 3, which is weird but kind of speaks to the volume of talent at a position like WR in comparison to TE.
We should be looking at Will Kacmarek the TE that played opposite of Klare at Ohio State, probably one of the better in-line blocking TEs in the draft and could compete with Keift/Durham.
We’re not drafting a TE 15th overall to be a tell when he’s in-line.
April 18th, 2026 at 3:16 pm
I watched the film I don’t see a difference makers be it’s because Oregon’s offense is so screen and misdirection heavy. If he ran a 4.5 at the combine he’d be a day 2 pick
April 18th, 2026 at 3:17 pm
I like all the talk about developing NfL players. I’ve always been in the boat that you don’t develop a professional football player. That’s what college is for. You fine tune at the NfL level – there’s no developing. (And if you are developing, maybe you drafted wrong)
April 18th, 2026 at 3:17 pm
Sadiq is a great fit and will help this offense greatly and if baker chokes yet again well I guess we know where the problem is. The defense is horrible so anyone available is a upgrade but like everyone knows it starts and ends with a terrible head coach and a gm that can’t draft a edge or corner to save his life. So in conclusion if you don’t draft Sadiq and more garbage D players yet again say goodbye to 2026!
April 18th, 2026 at 3:20 pm
@ JustOneGame – You are correct. I’ve been consistent all along, since the very beginning with him. He is NOT a Top-15 quality of a pick for a TE. He is nowhere NEAR the level of a Warren or Loveland type of TE. He is a LATE 1st-Round talent, at his very best. And, I wouldn’t even consider taking HIM in the 1st-Round, unless maybe, I were desperate and wanted to take a swing with an already LOADED Roster. All of the people clamoring for him have never even watched him play. I always thought he was a nice weapon in the RedZone or around the goal-line, but that was about it. Cause, otherwise he doesn’t do a whole helluva lot more than just that, while always leaving you wanting MORE. He’s just “meh” to begin with, but then you find-out that he’s only 6’3” and it’s like, “HAIL NO.” Lacks the nasty ‘mean-streak’ you’d like to see in your (1st-ROUND) TE, and appears to have a low motor to boot. We’ve already got ENOUGH of those guys!
April 18th, 2026 at 3:27 pm
Just dont draft a TE in the first 3 rds. Thanks!
April 18th, 2026 at 3:29 pm
HeartyDickerson Says:
April 18th, 2026 at 2:57 pm
Finally an anti Sadiq article. So many other article claiming he’s the ultimate weapon, yet he couldn’t muster 1000 yards…in his entire college career.
———-
Again, I’m not for taking Sadiq at #15 – but I do think he profiles as a much better NFL TE, at least in the current NFL where TE’s just play the role of slot WRs who might occasionally chip a DE here and there. In the modern game, for guys like this, they’re just throw in to the WR role, basically, and can put up good numbers early – so I don’t think there’s a ton of risk of him being a true bust. But I also think there’s a number of guys in this draft that profile in a similar way, although Sadiq with his elite vertical and great speed is clearly a higher ceiling guy.
But the Bucs already have a receiving TE in Otton. Adding a second receiving TE, who is in reality just a WR, isn’t the best use of resources in my opinion. Then again if Otton got hurt, you have zero depth behind him – and the team is going to win on offense if they’re going to win, and the Bucs need a larger WR to replace Evans. Although Sadiq is quite a bit shorter than Evans, Sadiq’s vertical is insane and would make him a legit goal line weapon – and you win by scoring more points than the other team.
April 18th, 2026 at 3:31 pm
Lakeland Says:
April 18th, 2026 at 3:06 pm
In 2 games against Indiana, Sadiq had 7 catches 50 yards
So he average 7 yards a catch, which isn’t much
And he had a 21 and 13 yard catch,
So his other 5 catches, he averaged 3 yards a catch
Those are the only games they lost all year
————
OJ Howard, in his first two years with the Bucs, averaged 16.6 yards per catch, and in his second season, with 8 starts, was on pace to have over 1000 yards and 10 TDs – and people claim he was a bust.
What could have been if he didn’t get repeated major injuries.
April 18th, 2026 at 3:39 pm
@ Deeboooo – Yeah, that’s more on the PLAYER himself, at that point. It is up to THEM to be constantly improving, and working on their craft. Most just need some time to progress mentally, and to adjust to the overall SPEED of the game. Some can handle it. Some CAN’T. It has to be a continuous pursuit to EVOLVE their game, and sometimes to reinvent themselves. Coaching plays a part, but it’s more about fit and scheme. Most NFL Head Coaches aren’t “developing” anyone. Of course, they can help with giving advice on technique and the such, while correcting some things and handing out pointers, & etc. But, it’s up to the individual PLAYER to work with his ‘position’ coaches, and to then get HIS ASS into as many of the ‘offseason’ camps that are around, all over the place now. Learn from other legendary players and coaches. Invest in themselves, and take their craft SERIOUS. They only have a very limited number of years to shine, and you never know when the end is coming.
April 18th, 2026 at 3:45 pm
Rod Munch,
They keep saying how much Sadiq stretches the field
But l never seen it, he may have did it, but not against Indiana
He probably did it against Rutgers, Northwestern, Oregon St etc
April 18th, 2026 at 3:52 pm
Licht will never forget what happened the last time he drafted a tight end in the fi the first round. Not happening. Linebacker or cornerback.
April 18th, 2026 at 3:52 pm
I would not say Otton is a receiving TE.. hes an all around TE and one of the better blockers in the league, especially pass blocking. Then you got Durham who is one of the better run blockers.
April 18th, 2026 at 3:56 pm
The only guys you should be worrying about fully “developing” in THE NFL, is maybe an ‘unfinished’ prospect who only started playing FOOTBALL at 17 years-old or something. A freak raw athlete that you took a swing on. Or, a college basketball player, who wasn’t good enough for THE NBA. But, he played football in high school, and was just a great ATHLETE period, and wanted to take his shot at converting to a NFL TE (ah la Antonio Gates). Or, a 300lb Nigerian, who moved to the U.S. at 16 years-old, and thought “FOOTBALL” meant SOCCER. Just very rare situations and occurrences.
I was just wondering the other day, whatever happened with that “Greene” kid (I think) from West Virginia maybe (I think), who was converting from QB (I think) to being a NFL WR for the Bucs!?
April 18th, 2026 at 4:02 pm
I’ve wanted defense now the past (2) years. Fact is with where we stand I’m just not seeing a lot of sweet value options out there on the defensive side. TEs are hard to come by, they also and many teams tend to get them and DT/NT after pick 25 or so.
I think it’s probably best to ignore the 4.3 forty TE from Oregon, but also I am not seeing any other standouts that scream pick me I’m ready to play coach.
I think trading back would be a brilliant idea.
We could reach out to NYJ or CLE maybe even NE try to score some extra picks.
April 18th, 2026 at 4:03 pm
If Tennessee doesn’t take Love, we will probably face him twice a year with the Saints. Yikes. Then if we pass on Sadiq it’s very likely that Carolina doesn’t. That puts the 2 best offensive players in the draft in our division but not with us which is not good at all.
Again, just food for thought.
April 18th, 2026 at 4:07 pm
Oj Howard was awesome he really was great or should have been but yeah injuries and lack of pass blocking ruined his career. Coaches in the NFL don’t play around they want you to be able to block as a TE1. Have to be able to do that when called upon! No wait and see if you can, must do it and show that now!
My thing with saddiq is he’s fast and fast in line TEs don’t usually block well. I mean what’s he gonna do at 6-3 245 going up against a 6-6 or 6-8 300 lb monster. Gotta be ready to go. Also though do we draft a TE rd 1 seems annoying tbh.
April 18th, 2026 at 4:13 pm
Budda I kinda agree if there was one that was available that fits our scheme and like but tbh there just isn’t one. These guys at CB, they just don’t look that impressive to me.
I want a cb at pick 15-20 to be 6-1 190-200 lbs 4.4 forty with long arms quick instincts and can really jump.
April 18th, 2026 at 4:15 pm
I like Culp as much as Sadiq. I also think edge rushers outside the top five or so picks are usually a roll of the dice. DT or cornerback seems like a better bet, though it’s a good year for LB and safety, too..
April 18th, 2026 at 4:24 pm
I mean that’s true, once out of the top-10 it’s really all just downhill from there lol. I mean usually though in strong drafts which we’ve seen before, a lot of guys entering the draft being obvious starter’s all the way through rd 2. Now though it’s like a huge question mark who’s gonna produce hmmmm.
April 18th, 2026 at 4:28 pm
Wow someone who actually watched him play in football games and not base his obsession with him running around at the combine.
I said this same thing months ago. He’s a unreal athlete and a decent football player.
Not a top 15 pick for a team with many glaring holes.
Go back and look at where most of the all time great TEs were drafted. Most middle rounds 3-5, some later or undrafted.
April 18th, 2026 at 5:11 pm
First, hard pass on media darling Sadiq. His college production was no different or better than Culps with a better QB. He’s NOT what these pundits are telling you he is. As for Cade Otten, he could be an even better receiving TE in the new offense this year. He cannot catch deep balls if they don’t run him on deep routes.
He’s been the 4th option in the passing game and still catching 50’+ per season.
Steer clear of Sadiq and draft a 5th round TE if you think we really need one.
I believe Durham is also better than credit he gets
April 18th, 2026 at 5:22 pm
Why in the hell would you want to draft a TE (especially a “tweener”) at #15 in the first place, unless it was a Warren (or Pitts) type of talent!? On a CHEAP position. When, the “Franchise Tag” for Pitts at the position, was only like around $15-MILLION. I mean, wouldn’t you much rather select an ‘EXPENSIVE’ position with a ‘high’ draft pick instead, where you can get a STUD on a CHEAP ‘rookie’ deal’ for the next 5-SEASONS. Now, doesn’t that make a whole lot more sense!? I believe I WOULD. Seems A LOT ‘smarter’ to me.
April 18th, 2026 at 5:22 pm
TE coach Justin Peelle worked with Kyle Pitts early in Pitts career. So Peelle will be a good evaluator of Sadiq and understands the learning curve of a receiving TE coming into the NFL. Licht should listen carefully to Peelle.
April 18th, 2026 at 5:38 pm
Trade back a few and land Ioane…if we miss on him, trade back some more, maybe into the late 20’s and get Jrod…then we have some extra 2nd and 3rd or 4th rd picks to work with and fill multiple holes.
April 18th, 2026 at 5:47 pm
The right move is to trade back for a later 1st, and add an extra 2nd. See if you can snag McDonald with it. Then, take the best Corner available, and that Rodriquez kid (or vice versa) that everyone on here has fallen in love with. Then, BPA with their 3rd and 4th. This team NEEDS DEPTH in a MAJOR way! They are nowhere even close to being “a player away” from contending (or even 2 or 3). Though, my first choice would be to take the Jets #33 AND ‘their own’ 2027 1st-Round Pick (it still leaves them with the Colts and Cowboys’ #1’s). Plus, their 3rd for a 4th or 5th, or whatever. I’m all about THE FUTURE with a ‘stockpile’ of 2027-Picks, a fresh clean salary cap, and a young and aggressive modern day, stud “Play-Caller” Head Coach. And, I WANT that 2027 JETS 1ST.
April 18th, 2026 at 5:59 pm
They are going to be HORRIBLE again this season and that pick will most surely land in the Top-5 (at least top 10). So, they’re prob not coming off it, unless they happened to fall in love with Simpson, or something. They most likely, would NOT take our #15 for their #33 straight up for it. But, I’d at least try! Now, wouldn’t THAT be something… Having TWO ‘Top 5-10’ PICKS in next season’s ‘all-time’ LOADED Draft Class, and with ‘MULTIPLE’ other 2nd, 3rd, & 4th-Rounders, that we earned during this season’s trade-deadline. It would be absolutely INSANE. So Awesome. We could Load TF UP through a new HC and GM. And, a fresh start with a blank canvas of a salary cap. Let the rebuild BEGIN. Jeremiah Smith, here we come.