NFL draft 2026: Teams prioritize dual-threat TEs as offenses evolve

Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq, a potential top-10 pick, leads a class of versatile tight ends

Apr. 18, 2026 at 9:07am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a football game broken down into overlapping geometric shapes and planes, with the vibrant colors of the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears uniforms visible throughout the abstract composition.As NFL offenses evolve to counter complex defenses, teams are prioritizing versatile tight ends who can create mismatches and dictate the action.Today in Detroit

As NFL offenses continue to adapt to more complex defensive schemes, teams are prioritizing the tight end position and seeking out players who can be effective both as blockers and pass-catchers. Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq, who ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the combine, is considered the top tight end prospect in this year's draft and a potential top-10 pick.

Why it matters

The rise of 12 and 13 personnel packages, with multiple tight ends on the field, has allowed offenses to better dictate defensive alignments and create mismatches. Teams like the Bears and Rams have found success using versatile tight ends, and this draft class is expected to produce several players who can fill that role.

The details

The Chicago Bears surprised many by taking Michigan tight end Colston Loveland with the 10th overall pick in last year's draft, joining a select group of tight ends to go that high. Bears coach Ben Johnson cited the need for tight ends who can both block inline and line up as receivers, helping offenses counter the increased use of nickel defenses. The Los Angeles Rams led the league in 13 personnel (three tight ends) usage last season and also ranked among the NFL's best offenses.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for next week.
  • The NFL Combine was held in late February 2026.

The players

Kenyon Sadiq

The Oregon tight end is widely considered the top prospect at the position in this year's draft and a potential top-10 pick. He caught 51 passes for 560 yards last season and ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the combine.

Colston Loveland

The Michigan tight end was a surprise top-10 pick by the Chicago Bears in last year's draft, joining an exclusive group of tight ends to go that high. His versatility as both a blocker and pass-catcher has helped the Bears' offense.

Tyler Warren

The tight end from Indianapolis was the 14th overall pick by the Colts in last year's draft, another example of teams prioritizing the position and seeking out players with diverse skill sets.

Ben Johnson

The Chicago Bears head coach cited the need for tight ends who can both block inline and line up as receivers, helping offenses counter the increased use of nickel defenses.

Ian Cunningham

The Atlanta Falcons general manager was part of the Bears' brain trust that drafted Loveland last year, and he believes the tight end position will continue to grow in importance moving forward.

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What they’re saying

“I think a lot of teams now install nickel defense as their Day 1 install and they have a lot more defense and they give offenses a lot more problems out of that. And so naturally I think offenses have tried to counter that by getting them back into base defense by going heavier.”

— Ben Johnson, Chicago Bears Head Coach

“For a coordinator being in 12 personnel, especially when you get a guy like Colson or when you get a guy like Kyle [Pitts], it gives you another weapon. It helps dictate the defense, whether they're going to play base to that or whether they're going to play nickel so it allows a lot of flexibility for an offense and I feel like that position's going to continue to grow moving forward.”

— Ian Cunningham, Atlanta Falcons General Manager

What’s next

The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place next week, where teams will look to add versatile tight ends to their rosters.

The takeaway

As NFL offenses continue to evolve, the tight end position has become increasingly valuable, with teams seeking out players who can be effective both as blockers and pass-catchers. This year's draft class, led by Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq, is expected to produce several such players who can help offenses create mismatches and better counter complex defensive schemes.