NFL · 4 hours ago

Mel Kiper’s New Top 10 Tight End Rankings | 2026 NFL Draft

John Canady

Host · Writer

Dropped Out: Lake McRee, USC
Previous Rank: 8

Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 250 lbs

Lake McRee had a strong 2025 season with 30 receptions for 450 yards and four touchdowns, showing the ability to make plays downfield and in the red zone.

McRee combines size, hands, and athleticism to win contested catches and gain yards after the catch. With continued refinement in route running and blocking, he projects to be a versatile tight end who can create mismatches and contribute immediately across multiple offensive roles.
Kiper's 2026 NFL Draft Position Rankings: Tight End
As the NFL offseason takes shape, all eyes are turning to April and the upcoming draft. Mel Kiper Jr. has already rolled out his early position rankings for ESPN, offering insight for how he views this year’s class.

On Monday, March 30, Kiper updated his position rankings, and no group saw more changes than the tight ends. Five players have dropped out, with five newcomers to his top 10, including the No. 2 and No. 3 ranked players at the position. There was also a lot of movement among the returning five players, although not at No. 1, where Oregon man Kenyon Sadiq is strongly entrenched.

With that in mind, here’s a closer look at Kiper’s top tight end prospects heading into draft season.
1) Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
Previous Rank: 1

Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 245 lbs

Kenyon Sadiq broke out in 2025 with 51 receptions for 560 yards and 8 touchdowns, solidifying himself as one of the more intriguing tight ends in the class. At six-foot-three, 245 pounds, he offers the size and athleticism to create mismatches, especially in the red zone.

He’s comfortable working the seams and shows toughness after the catch, giving him real Day 2 upside, if not Day 1, especially if his blocking continues to develop.
2) Oscar Delp, Georgia
Previous Rank: NR

Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 245

Oscar Delp hasn’t fully broken out statistically yet, but the tools are easy to buy into. The Georgia tight end finished with 20 receptions for 261 yards and one touchdown, though his size and athletic profile suggest there’s much more untapped potential moving forward.
3) Justin Joly, NC State
Previous Rank: NR

Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 251

Justin Joly put together a productive season at NC State, showcasing his ability as a reliable target in the passing game. He hauled in 49 receptions for 489 yards and seven touchdowns, flashing strong hands and red zone value that should translate to the next level.
4) Eli Raridon, Notre Dame
Previous Rank: 4

Height: 6-foot-7 | Weight: 251 lbs

Eli Raridon showcased his ability to make big plays in 2025, finishing with 32 receptions for 482 yards. His combination of length, size, and catch radius makes him a difficult matchup for defenders, especially in contested situations.

Raridon isn’t just a red-zone weapon—he can stretch the field vertically and win on jump balls, giving him upside as a developmental tight end with the potential to carve out a key role in any passing attack.
5) Nate Boerkircher, Texas A&M
Previous Rank: 9

Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 250 lbs

Nate Boerkircher contributed 19 receptions for 198 yards and three touchdowns in 2025, showing flashes of playmaking ability in key situations.

Boerkircher uses his size and physicality to win contested catches, particularly in the red zone, and his ability to make defenders miss after the catch adds value. With further development in route running and blocking, he has the potential to grow into a reliable, multi-role tight end at the next level.
6) Marlin Klein, Michigan
Previous Rank: 5

Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 250 lbs

Marlin Klein had a modest but promising 2025 season with 24 receptions for 248 yards and a touchdown, showing flashes of the athleticism that makes him intriguing at the next level.

Klein’s size and frame allow him to win contested catches, and he shows the ability to create separation in tight windows. With development in route running and blocking, he has the tools to grow into a versatile tight end who can contribute in multiple offensive roles.
7) DJ Rogers, TCU
Previous Rank: NR

Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 250

DJ Rogers had a solid 2025 campaign with 34 receptions for 319 yards and two touchdowns, showing consistent hands and the ability to find openings in coverage.

Rogers uses his size and physicality to win contested catches and contribute after the catch, particularly in short-to-intermediate routes. With development in blocking and route refinement, he projects as a versatile tight end capable of making an impact in multiple offensive situations.
8) Sam Roush, Stanford
Previous Rank: NR

Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 260

Sam Roush turned in a strong 2025 season with 49 receptions for 545 yards and two touchdowns, showing the ability to consistently move the chains and be a reliable target.

Roush pairs size and strength with smooth route-running, making him difficult to cover in short- and intermediate areas. With continued growth in blocking and separation skills, he projects as a versatile tight end with upside to contribute immediately in multiple offensive roles.
9) Will Kacmarek, Ohio State
Previous Rank: 10

Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 258 lbs

Will Kacmarek had a quiet but productive 2025 season with 15 receptions for 168 yards and two touchdowns, showing the ability to contribute in key situations.

Kacmarek’s size and catch radius make him a natural red-zone threat, and he shows promise as a reliable target over the middle. With continued development in route running and blocking, he projects as a tight end who can grow into a versatile offensive weapon.
10) Josh Cuevas, Alabama
Previous Rank: NR

Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 256

Josh Cuevas finished 2025 with 37 receptions for 411 yards and four touchdowns for Alabama. He’s a reliable tight end with the size and hands to create mismatches and contribute immediately at the next level.
Just Missed: Dae'Quan Wright, Ole Miss
Previous Rank: NR

Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 255

Dae'Quan Wright just missed the cut but remains one of the more intriguing tight ends in the class. The Ole Miss standout produced 39 receptions for 635 yards and five touchdowns, using his size and downfield ability to create chunk plays in the passing game.
Dropped Out: Joe Royer, Cincinnati
Previous Rank: 2

Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 250 lbs

Joe Royer turned in a solid season with 29 receptions for 416 yards and four touchdowns, showcasing his value as a reliable target in the middle of the field. At 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, he brings prototypical size to the position and uses his frame well to shield defenders.

Royer isn’t a dynamic separator, but his catch radius and red-zone utility give him appeal as a developmental tight end with starting potential in the right system.
Dropped Out: Dallen Bentley, Utah
Previous Rank: 3

Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 264 lbs

Dallen Bentley put together an impressive 2025 campaign with 48 receptions for 620 yards and six touchdowns, emerging as a productive and physical presence in Utah’s offense. At six-foot-four, 264 pounds, he brings rare size for the position and uses it well to win through contact.

Bentley offers a strong catch radius and the ability to power through defenders after the catch, giving him intriguing upside as a traditional in-line tight end who can also stretch the seam.
Dropped Out: Max Klare, Ohio State
Previous Rank: 6

Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 243 lbs

Max Klare had a productive 2025 season with 43 receptions for 448 yards and two touchdowns, steadily establishing himself as a reliable target in Ohio State’s offense.

Klare pairs size and athleticism with smooth route-running ability, making him difficult to cover in the middle of the field. His combination of catching ability and after-the-catch toughness gives him upside as a multi-role tight end capable of contributing early in his career.
Dropped Out: Jack Endries, Texas
Previous Rank: 7

Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 240 lbs

Jack Endries turned in a solid 2025 campaign with 33 receptions for 346 yards and three touchdowns, showing consistent hands and the ability to find soft spots in coverage.

Endries pairs reliable catching skills with physicality after the catch, making him a steady option in short- to intermediate routes. With continued development in blocking and route refinement, he projects to be a versatile tight end with upside to contribute in multiple offensive roles.
Dropped Out: Lake McRee, USC
Previous Rank: 8

Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 250 lbs

Lake McRee had a strong 2025 season with 30 receptions for 450 yards and four touchdowns, showing the ability to make plays downfield and in the red zone.

McRee combines size, hands, and athleticism to win contested catches and gain yards after the catch. With continued refinement in route running and blocking, he projects to be a versatile tight end who can create mismatches and contribute immediately across multiple offensive roles.
Kiper's 2026 NFL Draft Position Rankings: Tight End
As the NFL offseason takes shape, all eyes are turning to April and the upcoming draft. Mel Kiper Jr. has already rolled out his early position rankings for ESPN, offering insight for how he views this year’s class.

On Monday, March 30, Kiper updated his position rankings, and no group saw more changes than the tight ends. Five players have dropped out, with five newcomers to his top 10, including the No. 2 and No. 3 ranked players at the position. There was also a lot of movement among the returning five players, although not at No. 1, where Oregon man Kenyon Sadiq is strongly entrenched.

With that in mind, here’s a closer look at Kiper’s top tight end prospects heading into draft season.

Mel Kiper’s New Top 10 Tight End Rankings | 2026 NFL Draft

Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 256

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