Oregon Tight End Kenyon Sadiq Projected to Join 49ers' George Kittle

Sadiq could be the next great tight end for San Francisco if selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq is expected to be a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, with NFL.com's Lance Zierlein projecting him to be selected by the San Francisco 49ers at No. 27 overall. Sadiq, who had a standout career with the Ducks, would join six-time Pro Bowler George Kittle in San Francisco's offense.

Why it matters

The 49ers have been searching for a championship since 1995, and adding Sadiq to their roster alongside the veteran Kittle could help them achieve that goal. Sadiq would have the opportunity to learn from one of the best tight ends in the NFL while also potentially competing for the starting role during Kittle's expected absence due to injury.

The details

Sadiq enters the draft following a career total of 892 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns with the Ducks. This past season, he totaled 51 receptions for 560 yards and eight touchdowns, earning Big Ten Tight End of the Year honors and being named a finalist for the Mackey Award. If selected by the 49ers, Sadiq would join third-year tight end Jake Tonges, who had a strong postseason performance after Kittle's injury.

  • Kittle is expected to return "well before November" during the 2026 season, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.
  • The 49ers suffered a 41-6 NFC Divisional Round blowout loss to the eventual Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks, in the 2025 season.

The players

Kenyon Sadiq

A star tight end who had a remarkable three-season career with the Oregon Ducks, totaling 892 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.

George Kittle

A six-time Pro Bowl tight end for the San Francisco 49ers, who has totaled 8,008 receiving yards and 52 touchdowns over his nine-year career.

Jake Tonges

A third-year tight end for the San Francisco 49ers, who had 34 receptions for 293 yards and five touchdowns during the regular season and six receptions for 73 yards in the postseason.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The 49ers will look to address their tight end position in the 2026 NFL Draft, with Kenyon Sadiq as a potential first-round selection to complement the veteran George Kittle.

The takeaway

The addition of Kenyon Sadiq to the 49ers' offense, alongside the experienced George Kittle, could provide a significant boost to San Francisco's quest for their first Lombardi Trophy since 1995, as they look to build on their recent postseason success.