Best available TE in 2026 NFL Draft: Updated results, top prospects still on board originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The NFL Draft has arrived. No more conjecture or hypothetical. Five months of preparations and the biggest job interview in the world will now become real.
Viewers have become accustomed to certain similarities. The best quarterbacks, edge rushers, offensive linemen and cornerbacks are towards the top, while running backs, safeties and linebackers are less prioritized at the top. In 2026, they throw out almost all the positional tendencies and trends.
Tight ends, like running backs and quarterbacks, have one guy at the top. Then a drop-off for the rest of the pack. Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq is this year’s athletic freak. He will garner most of the Tight End attention until he comes off the board.
Behind Sadiq though, there are several intriguing options. The tight ends projected in the first four rounds will be contenders to be TE1 on many teams. Later on Day 3 should still provide options for teams in search of tight end help or depth.
Best available TE in 2026 NFL Draft
| Name | School | HT | WT | Range | Pick | Team |
| Kenyon Sadiq | Oregon | 6’3 | 245 | Rd 1 | 16 | Jets |
| Eli Stowers | Vanderbilt | 6’4 | 235 | Rd 2-3 | 54 | Eagles |
| Max Klare | Ohio St | 6’5 | 243 | Rd 2-3 | 61 | Rams |
| Jack Endries | Texas | 6’4 | 236 | Rd 2-3 | ||
| Michael Trigg | Baylor | 6’4 | 240 | Rd 2-3 | ||
| Justin Joly | NC State | 6’3 | 263 | Rd 2-4 | ||
| Sam Roush | Stanford | 6’5 | 260 | Rd 2-4 | 69 | Bears |
| Marlin Klein | Michigan | 6’6 | 250 | Rd 3-5 | 59 | Texans |
| Josh Cuevas | Alabama | 6’3 | 256 | Rd 3-5 | ||
| Nate Boerkircher | Texas A&M | 6’4 | 250 | Rd 3-5 | ||
| Joe Royer | Cincinnati | 6’5 | 250 | Rd 3-5 | ||
| Eli Raridon | Notre Dame | 6’7 | 252 | Rd 3-5 | ||
| Miles Kitselman | Tennessee | 6’5 | 255 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Tanner Koziol | Houston | 6’7 | 250 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Dallen Bentley | Utah | 6’4 | 259 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| John Michael Gyllenborg | Wyoming | 6’5 | 250 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Dae’Quan Wright | Ole Miss | 6’4 | 255 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Oscar Delp | Georgia | 6’5 | 245 | Rd 4 | ||
| Max Bredeson | Michigan | 6’2 | 250 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Lake McRee | USC | 6’4 | 250 | Rd 5-7 | ||
| Seydou Traore | Mississippi St | 6’4 | 235 | Rd 5-7 | ||
| Riley Nowakowski | Indiana | 6’2 | 249 | Rd 5-7 | ||
| Jaren Kanak | Oklahoma | 6’2 | 233 | Rd 5-7 | ||
| DJ Rogers | TCU | 6’4 | 250 | Rd 5-7 | ||
| RJ Maryland | SMU | 6’4 | 240 | Rd 5-7 | ||
| Carson Ryan | BYU | 6’4 | 250 | Rd 5-7 |
Social Media Reactions to TE selections in 2026 NFL Draft
#Eagles Select OT Markel Bell with 68th Pick #FlyEaglesFlypic.twitter.com/yzPIlr6hKz
— All About The Birds (@AATBirds) April 25, 2026
With the No. 61 overall pick in the 2026 @NFLDraft, the @RamsNFL select Max Klare.
NFL Draft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/xCiP9rkdJx— NFL (@NFL) April 25, 2026
The #Texans will select Michigan TE Marlin Klein at No. 59.
A German-born prospect with limited experience (12 starts), Klein flashes more ability than his role at Michigan allowed him to show. https://t.co/ginJfiDTWopic.twitter.com/GQe217Dje5
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 25, 2026
With the No. 54 overall pick in the 2026 @NFLDraft, the @Eagles select Eli Stowers.
NFL Draft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/Ub1UyyRD1P— NFL (@NFL) April 25, 2026
Kenyon Sadiq is bringing his athleticism to the @nyjets!
2026 NFL Draft starts on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/8pXakMxiIp— NFL (@NFL) April 24, 2026
2026 NFL Draft How to Watch
The 2026 NFL draft kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday in Pittsburgh (ESPN, ABC and NFL Network– available on Fubo), The Las Vegas Raiders will likely select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick.