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Former Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq going through a drill at his Pro Day.
The New York Jets surprised many by taking Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq with the No. 16 overall pick in the first round of the NFL draft.
While it may have been a surprise to the general public, it doesn’t sound like it was to offensive coordinator Frank Reich.
“The Jets’ in-house draft footage showed offensive coordinator Frank Reich’s emphatic reaction to the Kenyon Sadiq pick at No. 16. ‘Oh my god. Let’s go,’ Reich said. Then he reminded Sadiq over the phone, ‘What did I tell you? I told you.’ The backstory: Reich had a predraft videoconference with the Oregon tight end who he found very impactful. The two went in-depth about Sadiq’s usage on the call, and after that, Reich had an affinity for the hopeful target. One Jets source surmised that Reich might have called his shot with Sadiq on the videoconference, indicating he wanted the team to pick him,” ESPN NFL Insider Jeremy Fowler wrote.
At the end of March, ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported that there was some “buzz” connecting the Jets to Sadiq.
However, two weeks before the NFL draft, Cimini provided another update “based on the intel” he was hearing.
“The window opens for him right there [at pick No. 9 overall with the Kansas City Chiefs]. I’d be very surprised if he got down to the Jets at [pick No.] 16,” Cimini explained on the April 12 episode of the “Jets Collective” podcast.
Sorry to burst your bubble #Jets fans, but @RichCimini said ‘based on the intel’ he is getting, Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq is NOT going to be on the board at No. 16 overall:
‘The window opens for him right there [at pick No. 9 overall w/ the #Chiefs]. I’d be very surprised if he got
Despite those sources, things broke the right way for the Jets. All it takes sometimes is one pick to go in a surprising direction, and that can change a draft.
For example, the Los Angeles Rams took Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 overall pick in the first round. That selection caught many people off guard. Now think about the ripple effects.
ESPN’s Peter Schrager, in his final mock draft, predicted the Rams would select Sadiq.
“There’s a lot of Sadiq intrigue in the Rams’ building. They already have multiple contributing tight ends, but that depth chart could look different in a year — especially since current TE1 Colby Parkinson is a free agent in 2027. Sadiq is an explosive pass catcher who could help Matthew Stafford in a key go-for-it year in L.A., and you know coach Sean McVay would figure out ways to get the ball in Sadiq’s hands. This would be the second year in a row that the Rams took an Oregon tight end after going with Terrance Ferguson in Round 2 last April,” Schrager wrote.
The Rams picked three spots ahead of the Jets. LA surprisingly taking Simpson opened up a multiverse where Sadiq fell into the Jets’ hands, and that is exactly what happened.
Sadiq is a fun weapon if used properly.
“I think this season I took a snap at every single position except O-line,” Sadiq said via Jets senior contributor Randy Lange. “It just kind of speaks volumes to my versatility and what I can do. I’m going to understand the whole playbook — that’s just kind of who I am. I need to know everything that’s going on. So if the coaches can put me in and trust me to be in multiple situations, obviously it’s going to benefit myself but more importantly it’s going to benefit the team.”
There is a fine line between being a jack of all trades and a master of none. It’ll be up to the offensive coaching staff to put him in positions where they can utilize his unique speed at the position.
Paul Esden Jr. covers the New York Jets for Heavy.com. A New York native, he co-hosts a morning show, "The Manchild Show with Boy Green Digital." Before joining Heavy in 2021, Esden Jr. covered both national and New York sports for FanSided, Elite Sports NY, and The Score 1260. More about Paul Esden Jr.
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