Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Carolina’s offseason began quick once they burgled Jaelan Phillips away from Philadelphia by way of an unbelievable $30 million per 12 months contract within the opening minutes of free company. A crew properly acquainted with roster holes, the Panthers deliberately crammed arguably their greatest want at edge nearly instantly, whereas bringing in a number of different gamers on day one together with linebacker Devin Lloyd, offensive linemen Luke Forner and Stone Forsythe, cornerback Akayleb Evans, and different ex-Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett and large receiver John Metchie III. And so they stored signing – between 3/10 and three/20, they signed 21 gamers in a mad sprint of transactions that would go away Julian Vandervelde’s head spinning (they even signed yet one more Philly alumnus, RB AJ Dillon … was the Pink Rifle commerce some sort of peace providing? (Most likely not.)) Whereas, after all, not all of those gamers are starters, Carolina’s exercise helped fill holes, add depth, and probably present them optionality within the draft.
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Taking a look at their roster, Carolina has a number of brilliant spots. Including Phillips and Lloyd to a protection that includes stars Jaycee Horn and Derrick Brown as properly different stable gamers like Tre’von Moehrig, Mike Jackson, Bobby Brown, Tershawn Wharton, and Nic Scourton has the makings for a aggressive unit. On offense, whereas there are questions round Bryce Younger, he has taken steps ahead in years two and three, surpassing 3,000 yards and throwing for 23 TDs in 2025. As a result of that progress, Carolina appears ready to construct round him and see if he continues to take constructive steps. Round Younger, Carolina has some O-linemen to probably be enthusiastic about (at the very least at guard and sort out) and a few ability gamers that might type a robust core – notably AP Offensive Rookie of the 12 months Tetairoa McMillan.
Having mentioned all of that, there are actually wants. Websites that cowl the Panthers appear to fluctuate on the severity of a few of these however level out, to a point, wants alongside each traces and presumably at WR or LB. Nevertheless, many level to TE and S as the largest holes on the roster. Whereas I’m a proponent of selecting the right participant out there as a baseline M.O., it’s onerous to disregard evident wants on a constructing crew and probably erasing a void by including somebody who might have a direct influence – a philosophical level espoused by head coach Dave Canales.
Fortunately for Carolina at choose 19, that influence simply collided on the intersection of want and out there gamers, regardless of simply lacking out on some nice choices. Whereas Dillon Thieneman, a spice so robust it burns the S out of your mouth (such a enjoyable title to say out loud), would have been a terrific match right here, he’s now not an possibility due to Vikings at No. 18. Neither are many of the prime O-lineman or anybody who has ever even audited a category at Ohio State (4 out of the primary 9 picks is spectacular). However you already know who is out there? One other thrilling security prospect in Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Oregon’s standout TE Kenyon Sadiq, and a pair compelling edge defenders in Akheem Mesidor and Keldric Faulk. Actually, I might make an argument for any of those 4 choices and any of them may very well be choose at 19. Nevertheless, if all of those younger males are in vary of each other expertise/value-wise, and I believe they’re, one should think about positional worth and wish to assist resolve. Whereas being an Eagles fan has taught me to lean edge over security and TE, I’ve to look carefully at a roster that has a number of go rushers, together with the gem of their free agent class, and the contrasting, important wants at S and TE. With my choices narrowed to selecting between McNeil-Warren and Sadiq, I can’t ignore the potential to encompass Younger with one other dynamic playmaker. Kenyon Sadiq it’s and right here’s why:
Want
I don’t wish to overemphasize want, however addressing Carolina’s TE wants is crucial with no compelling possibility presently on the roster. Sadiq would change that. Whereas Tommy Tremble was chosen within the third spherical in 2021, he has not confirmed to be a proficient receiver having by no means topped 250 yards or 3 TDs in a season (2025 was his greatest receiving 12 months with 27 catches, 249 yards, and a couple of TDs). Ja’Tavion Sanders hauled in 29 catches in 2025 for 190 yards (for a mere 6.6 avg) and a TD over 13 video games – a down 12 months after netting 33 catches for 342 yards and 1 TD in his rookie season, 2024.
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Good Manufacturing (at the very least in 2025)
Sadiq has averaged 11.2 yards per catch in school, getting higher annually. In 2025, he caught 51 passes for 560 yards (11.0 avg.) and a robust 8 TDs. He was a big contributor to Oregon’s robust season that noticed them advance to the Peach Bowl the place they fell to the last word nationwide champion Indiana Hoosiers. In a season that noticed QB Dante Moore (over 3,500 yards) efficiently unfold the ball round, Oregon had 5 gamers surpass 497 yards receiving, Sadiq’s 560 yards have been second on the crew and his 8 TDs completed first on the crew and led the nation amongst tight ends. He was dependable, catching 51 of his 71 targets (approximate) for a virtually 72% catch fee. Whereas 560 yards and an 11-yard common aren’t other-worldly, they’re good manufacturing particularly contemplating his catch fee, variety of scores, and YAC means. 214 of his 560 whole yards got here after the catch coming in at a 4.73 YAC common. Whereas that is actually related to the excessive variety of display passes that he caught, it exemplifies his versatility (extra on that quickly), athleticism (way more on that even sooner), and his skills with the ball in his arms. Dante Moore had a robust 145.5 passer score when concentrating on Sadiq, which transparently isn’t as excessive as Moore’s general common season quantity (163.72), but in addition superb (within the prime six amongst TE’s) and presumably reflective of the excessive frequency of quick throws that got here Sadiq’s manner.
Traits
Driving these numbers are notable strengths, notably as a receiver. An unbelievable athlete (watch for it), Sadiq additionally exhibited good steadiness, arms, method, extension, separation, and physique management via the catch course of. For instance, his two TD sport in opposition to Rutgers was crammed with spotlight catches, together with an over-the-shoulder TD seize that many school tight ends simply can not do. He has really feel for locating holes in zone defenses, making contested catches after which breaking tackles thereafter. He had a handful of gloriously offended runs this season which are simply too enjoyable to observe.
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Coupled along with his power and talent on screens and in open zones, he has unbelievable pace (watch for it) for a TE. He has the potential to blow the highest off a protection from the slot, exposing safeties and linebackers that merely can not sustain with him. Frankly, he’s going to eat up small slot CB’s and blow previous LB’s and most safeties. He’s a matchup nightmare for defenses.
Uncommon Athleticism
The place Sadiq actually stands out is athleticism. His mix numbers have been elite. Whereas there are some issues about his agility, his pace and decrease physique energy are outstanding. Nicknamed “The Freak” by his complimentary if not spinoff teammates (Jevon Kearse a lot, anybody?!), this younger man can freakin’ run and freakin’ soar.
Sadiq set three TE data on the mix this 12 months (caveats aplenty). That day, he tied David Njoku’s nine-year broad soar document of 11’1” AND Dorin Dickerson’s 2010 vertical soar document of 43.5”. Whereas he was moments later out jumped by Eli Stowers in each classes (11’3” broad and 45.5” vertical – each new TE data), his leaping numbers are ostensibly elite. One document that Stowers didn’t beat… his mix 40-yard sprint time of 4.39 seconds. Whereas many sources established this as the brand new document over Vernon Davis’s 4.40 time, many contest that Davis really ran it in 4.38. Both manner, Sadiq is a particular athlete.
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