Top 5 Tight Ends for the 2026 NFL Draft and Their Skills
The 2026 NFL Draft is shaping up to be loaded with tight end talent that could transform offensive systems across the league. While quarterbacks and edge rushers typically grab the headlines, this year's crop of tight ends brings a unique blend of athleticism, receiving prowess, and versatility that NFL teams desperately need.
At Boardwalk Beasts Football Club, we know the importance of developing complete football players who can contribute in multiple ways. That's exactly what these top prospects bring to the table – the ability to line up anywhere, create mismatches, and impact games in crucial moments.
1. Max Klare, Ohio State – The Complete Receiving Package
Physical Profile: 6-4, 240 lbs, 4.70 40-yard dash
Draft Grade: 86.5 (First Round Projection)
Max Klare represents everything NFL teams want in a modern tight end receiver. His natural receiving gifts make him a matchup nightmare for defensive coordinators, though his blocking limitations prevent him from being the complete package some teams prefer.
Signature Skills:
- Elite Route Running: Klare's precision in his cuts and ability to find soft spots in zone coverage rivals many wide receivers
- Reliable Hands: Rarely drops catchable passes, with exceptional concentration in traffic
- YAC Ability: Uses his size and athleticism to break tackles and extend plays after the catch
- Red Zone Threat: His size and body control make him a prime target in scoring situations
What Makes Him Special: Klare's ability to win one-on-one matchups against linebackers while possessing the speed to threaten safeties deep creates constant problems for defenses. His burst from the line and stride length when running routes make him look more like a big receiver than a traditional tight end.
NFL Projection: Teams looking for an immediate receiving weapon will target Klare early. His inline blocking needs work, but his split alignment impact is already NFL-ready.
2. Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt – The Athletic Mismatch
Physical Profile: 6-4, 225 lbs, 4.55 40-yard dash
Draft Grade: 85.9 (First Round Projection)
Eli Stowers brings elite athleticism that creates fascinating evaluation scenarios. His speed and agility numbers are off the charts for the position, though like many receiving specialists, his blocking technique needs refinement.
Signature Skills:
- Exceptional Speed: That 4.55 forty-time translates to legitimate deep threat capability
- Route Diversity: Can run the entire route tree with precision typically seen from slot receivers
- Contested Catches: Despite his lighter frame, shows great body control and timing on jump balls
- Separation Ability: Uses quick feet and sharp cuts to create space against slower linebackers
What Makes Him Special: Stowers' combination of speed and route-running creates an evaluation paradox – he's almost too athletic for traditional tight end roles but brings unique versatility that modern offenses crave. His ability to line up anywhere from the slot to out wide gives offensive coordinators endless options.
NFL Projection: The Evan Engram comparison is spot-on. Teams will use him as a chess piece to create favorable matchups, though his blocking limitations may limit his snap count early in his career.
3. Joe Royer, Cincinnati – The Matchup Problem
Physical Profile: 6-5, 255 lbs, 4.65 40-yard dash
Draft Grade: 85.3 (First-Second Round)
Joe Royer combines ideal size with impressive athleticism, making him the type of player that keeps defensive coordinators awake at night. His frame suggests he could develop into a more complete player than some of his peers.
Signature Skills:
- Size Advantage: At 6-5, 255, he towers over most defensive backs and has the bulk to handle linebackers
- Hand Quickness: Shows excellent catch radius and ability to pluck balls away from his body
- Hip Drive: Demonstrates good leverage when asked to block, suggesting he could develop into a complete player
- Red Zone Presence: His combination of size, athleticism, and hands makes him a prime scoring threat
What Makes Him Special: Royer's frame and athletic ability create natural mismatches that translate directly to the NFL level. Unlike some receiving specialists, his size suggests he could develop into a more well-rounded player who can contribute in all phases.
NFL Projection: Teams looking for a tight end who can grow into a complete player will be intrigued. His blocking foundation is more solid than the players ranked above him, making him attractive to traditional offensive systems.
4. Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon – The Vertical Threat
Physical Profile: 6-3, 245 lbs, 4.55 40-yard dash
Draft Grade: 84.4 (First-Second Round)
Kenyon Sadiq has generated significant buzz as a potential first-round pick, and for good reason. His deep-ball production and powerful frame create the type of vertical threat that modern NFL offenses need to stretch defenses.
Signature Skills:
- Deep Ball Specialist: Exceptional at tracking and adjusting to passes downfield
- Powerful Frame: Uses his 245-pound frame to shield defenders and win contested catches
- YAC Production: Breaks tackles consistently and turns short catches into big gains
- Athletic Versatility: Can align in multiple positions and create mismatches anywhere on the field
What Makes Him Special: Sadiq's combination of speed (4.55) and power (245 lbs) is rare at the position. His deep-ball production suggests he has the tracking ability and concentration needed to be a legitimate vertical threat in the NFL.
NFL Projection: Teams needing a tight end who can threaten defenses vertically will be drawn to Sadiq. His frame suggests he could develop blocking skills, though he'll likely be used primarily as a receiving weapon early in his career.
5. Koziol, Houston – The Developmental Upside
Physical Profile: 6-7, 230 lbs, 4.76 40-yard dash
Draft Grade: 84.3 (Second-Third Round)
The tallest player in this group, Koziol brings the kind of frame that NFL teams love to develop. While he needs to add weight and refine his technique, his production history and physical tools keep him firmly on draft boards.
Signature Skills:
- Massive Frame: At 6-7, he creates natural passing lanes and catch radius advantages
- Production History: Has shown consistent ability to make plays at the college level
- Blocking Potential: His frame suggests he could develop into a legitimate inline blocker with proper coaching
- Red Zone Target: His height makes him nearly impossible to cover in goal-line situations
What Makes Him Special: Koziol represents the classic "developmental tight end" that NFL teams love to coach up. His frame is NFL-ready, and his college production suggests he has the hands and football IQ to succeed at the next level.
NFL Projection: Teams with strong tight end coaches will see Koziol as a project worth developing. His frame alone makes him valuable, and his 2025 campaign will determine whether he rises up draft boards.
The Modern Tight End Evolution
These five prospects represent the evolution of the tight end position in today's NFL. Gone are the days when tight ends were primarily blockers who occasionally caught passes. Today's tight ends need to be chess pieces – players who can align anywhere, create mismatches, and contribute immediately in passing games.
Key Evaluation Factors:
Burst and Stride: All five players show the acceleration and top-end speed needed to threaten NFL defenses. Their ability to separate from linebackers while having the speed to challenge safeties is crucial.
Alignment Versatility: Modern tight ends must excel in both inline and split alignments. These prospects show varying degrees of comfort in different positions, with some better suited for specific roles.
Hand Skills: The catching ability demonstrated by this group rivals many wide receiver classes. Their hand quickness and catch radius make them immediate weapons in passing games.
Looking Ahead
For teams drafting in 2026, this tight end class offers something for everyone. Whether you need an immediate receiving weapon (Klare, Stowers), a potential complete player (Royer, Sadiq), or a developmental project with massive upside (Koziol), options abound.
At Boardwalk Beasts Football Club, we emphasize the importance of versatility and football IQ – traits that all five of these prospects possess. Their ability to impact games in multiple ways mirrors what we teach our young athletes: be ready to contribute wherever your team needs you.
The 2026 NFL Draft will likely see multiple tight ends selected in the first two rounds, a testament to how valuable the position has become in today's pass-heavy league. These five players represent the future of the position – athletic, versatile, and ready to make an immediate impact at the professional level.
One to Watch: Louis Hansen, UConn — Sleeper for 2026
School: University of Connecticut (transfer from Michigan)
Position: Tight End
Physical Profile: 6-5, ~240 lbs
Draft Outlook: Legit sleeper who could rise with a 2025 breakout
Signature Traits:
- Big catch radius and body control: Shields defenders and plucks the ball away from his frame on in-breakers and back-shoulders
- Seam speed and stride length: Stresses linebackers vertically and forces safeties to respect the hash
- Alignment versatility: Comfortable inline, flexed, or as an H-back; tools to keep developing as a two-phase tight end
- Competitive toughness: Finishes after the catch and competes as a blocker, helping him stay on the field
Why He Could Break Out:
- Expanded opportunity at UConn: A larger role can showcase his receiving chops after beginning his career at Michigan
- Blocking growth: Cleaner pad level and hand placement can unlock true three-down usage
- Size/movement profile: If he pairs production with strong testing, he checks boxes NFL teams covet for late risers
Bottom Line: Hansen has the frame, hands, and vertical threat profile to be a classic 2026 sleeper who surges up boards with a strong 2025 season.
For young tight ends chasing that path, our coaches at Boardwalk Beasts Football Club build complete players — from route detail to functional strength. Learn more at https://boardwalkbeastsfb.com.
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