Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
With at least three tight ends potentially departing from the New Orleans Saints roster this offseason, the position could quickly become one that needs an influx of talent over the coming months.
Tight ends Foster Moreau and Jack Stoll are on voiding and expiring deals, respectively. Meanwhile, quarterback Taysom Hill, who contributed heavily to the tight end group, is also on a deal set to void on March 10.
If even just two of those three players were to depart in March, finding more talent to add around top tight end Juwan Johnson could be an investment worth pursuing. At this year’s NFL Combine, five tight ends stood out as potential draft targets.
Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq
As the top tight end in this year’s draft class, Sadiq’s athletic performance in Indianapolis may be overlooked. The 6-foot-3, 241-pound tight end likely could have rested on the laurels of collegiate production and coasted his way to a first-round selection. Instead, he chose to test and show more of what he can bring to a team, and he made sure that testing only helped his case in the process.
His 4.39-second 40-yard dash was the fastest time posted by a tight end since at least 2003. He then added a 43.5-inch vertical leap and 11-foot-1 broad jump, showcasing his speed and explosive ability.
He’s a versatile pass-catcher that can run routes from multiple alignments and better-than-average blocking ability. His skill set would allow the tight end to be a mismatch creator. Sadiq was already seen as a surefire first-rounder; now he could have tested his way into the top-10.
Players to run sub-4.4 seconds in the 40, jump 40+ inches in the vert, and broad jump 11+ feet at 220+ pounds since 2003:
🔹Kenyon Sadiq (2026 – 241 pounds)@oregonfootball
🔹Nick Emmanwori (2025 – 220 pounds)
🔹DK Metcalf (2019 – 228 pounds)
— NFL Researcher (@NFL_Researcher) February 28, 2026
Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers
A consistent Day Two option, Stowers absolutely decimated the Combine this year. His 4.51 40-yard dash was tied for the second fastest time among tight ends this year and he added a record-breaking 45.5-inch vertical leap, which was the best recorded in the Combine’s history among tight ends. He was just half an inch shy of safety Gerald Sensabaugh’s 2005 record of 46-inches.
Stowers is a fantastic pass-catching option, but lacks in the blocking game, which takes the element of surprise out of his usage. But his capabilities running routes and reeling in passes are very tempting in head coach Kellen Moore’s Saints offense.
Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers just posted a 45.5″ vertical 🤯
Stowers’ vert is the second-best at the Combine since 2003 😮💨
(via @NFL)
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 28, 2026
Notre Dame TE Eli Raridon
The Fighting Irish tight end’s injury history will continue to be a conversation with ACL tears in both 2021 and 2022, but his strength, size and explosiveness are undeniable. At 6-foot-6, and 245 pounds, Raridon clocked a 4.62-second 40-yard dash and 36-inch vertical along with a broad jump of 10-foot-3. He’s likely more of a true-Y tight end at the next level, rather than one that moves about the formation, but that could be seen as a good complement for Johnson rather than a limitation.
Houston TE Tanner Koziol
Another big-bodied passing target, Koziol measured in at 6-foot-6 ½ and 247 pounds with long 33 ¾-inch arms. He’ll need to build up his strength at the next level, but the tight end presents as a great receiving option in traffic and in the red zone. Part of developing his strength will need to be directed to a focus on blocking, as well.
Despite those knocks, his 9.72 unofficial RAS at least shows that he has the athletic profile to contribute and earn a role.
He put his reliable hands on display during the gauntlet drill.
Tanner Koziol gauntlet pic.twitter.com/T6zc2ms2yj
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) February 28, 2026
Stanford TE Sam Roush
The Nashville, Tenn. native doesn’t have long arms (just 30 ⅝ inches) and isn’t a strong blocker. But at 6-foot-6 and 267 pounds, he ran a 4.7-second 40 and put up a 38.5-inch vertical leap. He showed elite athleticism in his early testing on Friday, and is sure to now be on some late-draft radars.
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