Writing The Ship: 2026 NFL Draft – Tight End Rankings

The NFL draft is just over two weeks away. We are at the time of year where evaluators have watched all the players and now it is just a matter of stacking up their boards. Looking at each position and deciding who you like best relative to the others.

While I look at all of these players through the lens of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there are some that I like more than others who might not fit the Bucs needs as much. So this is not a list of best fits, but just my rankings of players. However, based on what they are as players, it’s easy enough to draw conclusions as to who the best fits would be in Tampa.

With that said, here are my 2026 NFL draft tight end rankings.

Jack Endries – Texas

Endries is a nice player. He has good technique as a blocker and a good job squaring up his man in space. He might be a people mover in the run game, but he’ll do well in more zone blocking concepts. 

In the passing game, Endries is fine. He moves well, but I wouldn’t call him a dynamic athlete. He’s someone who I view as topping out as a back up in the NFL and can bring enough to the passing game to make him a factor as an offense plays off his blocking ability.

Dae’Quan Wright – Ole Miss

I like Wright as an athlete, but he is pretty high cut and that limits his overall quickness. However, he does have build up speed and good size which he uses to his advantage. Overall, this is a good blend of size and speed and he can do all the things an offense will ask of him at the next level.

Oftentimes this prototype of player isn’t a great blocker, but that isn’t necessarily the case here. He can get some push on the line of scrimmage and he can also work in space some. He is really adequate across the board with a little splash play ability.

Justin Joly – NC State

I believe Joly has starting potential with a bit of development. He’s more fluid than expected and overall he’s a good athlete. In terms of talent, there is something here. 

Right now, Joly is just nothing to write home about. He brings good body control to the passing game and can line up in a variety of spots. Give him some time and he could turn into a solid role player.

Eli Stowers – Vanderbilt 

I’m lower on Stowers than many. He’s a pass catching tight end who doesn’t bring much as a blocker. In terms of production, this was one of the best tight ends in college football last year after racking up 769 receiving yards last season. .

Personally, I don’t think Stowers is as athletic as he showed in his workouts. He sometimes struggles to separate considering that he is a pass catcher first and foremost. That’s not to say that he can’t make plays, but considering how little he brings as a blocker, I was underwhelmed with Stowers.

Eli Raridon – Notre Dame

Raridon brings great size at 6’6 and 245 lbs. He isn’t a power player, but he can go up and get the ball. In terms of receiving ability, he has the potential to be a dependable chain mover in the NFL.

What really stands out to me is Raridon’s agility. He moves very well at his size and can use that to create separation. It’s also an asset in his blocking ability as someone who could do really well in zone based attacks. 

Michael Trigg – Baylor

There aren’t many more exciting tight ends in this draft than Trigg. He can go up and make spectacular contested catches. Anything thrown in his area code is in play for this guy.

On the down side, Trigg isn’t much of a blocker. There has also been talk of some character issues off the field. Someone will take a flyer on him, but there is definitely risk vs reward here. 

Oscar Delp – Georgia

Delp never had exciting stats in college, but he has all the tools to be a better pro than he was a college player. He tested like an elite athlete in his workouts and this shows up on film in his route running. As a more featured part of the offense, he could be a meaningful piece in a passing attack.

Even if he never reaches his ceiling as a pass catcher, Delp is a very good blocker. He can get into space and he’s good at finding work at the next level. He’s also strong enough to body up with defensive linemen when asked to do so.

Sam Roush – Stanford 

Tight ends who are 6 ‘6 and almost 270 lbs don’t come around very often. It’s even more rare that those guys are also excellent athletes. However, that is exactly the case with Roush.

Roush had the 10th most receiving yards in college football last season. He has also proven to be a mauling blocker who can work into space as well. This is a rare bend of talent and polish and I’d love to see him in Tampa bay.

Max Klare – Ohio State 

Klare has great staying power, although maybe not star power. He’s Mr. Reliable and can just get open and catch everything thrown his way. If you are looking for an instant impact starter on day two, then this is your guy.

My big knock on Klare is that he isn’t really a dynamic playmaker. He’s dependable, but not explosive. He can be a piece of a passing attack, but never the focal point.

Kenyon Sadiq – Oregon 

This is the crown jewel of the tight end class. He is an excellent athlete for the position and he can stretch the field vertically in a way that most tight ends can’t. I won’t say that this is the next Brock Bowers, but I don’t think it’s crazy to say that Sadiq can make a Sam LaPorta type impact in the NFL.

Sadiq is also a good blocker. He gets himself into a good position and he competes for every inch. In a strong tight end class, Sadiq is clearly the best.