“I’m gonna hit someone. I’m gonna run past someone. And I’m gonna jump over someone.”

Those were the post-draft words of New York Jets tight end Kenyon Sadiq.

The Oregon product came into the 2026 NFL draft as one of the best offensive weapons in the class. His athleticism and versatility have been on tape from the very moment he received a chance to get starting time with the Ducks.

Now, he’s expected to use that very athleticism to help the Jets’ passing offense after New York selected him with the 16th overall pick in the 2026 draft.

This is the second tight end taken by the team within the first two rounds in the last two drafts after picking LSU’s Mason Taylor in the second round in 2025.

But there’s a method to the madness at tight end.

And it’s why Sadiq is ready to roll in New York.

Jets push for 12

Recently hired Jets’ offensive coordinator Frank Reich has seen plenty of success with 12 personnel (one running back and two tight ends). When he was the OC with the Philadelphia Eagles, Reich used 12 personnel all the way to a Super Bowl title over the New England Patriots.

In his recent stops as a head coach in Indianapolis and Carolina, Reich became heavily reliant on 11 personnel (one running back and one tight end). But after pairing Sadiq with Taylor, it is expected that Reich will return to his roots.

That’s the mindset that the Jets had when targeting Sadiq at 16, and why Sadiq believes he can be a threat everywhere on the field.

“This season (at Oregon), I took a snap at every single position besides the line,” Sadiq told reporters. “Coaches can put me in multiple positions and trust me to be in them, and it will obviously benefit me.”

Pairing Sadiq with Taylor will give the Jets two athletic tight ends on the roster to try to play chess with today’s versatile defensive units. As defenses get lighter and more athletic, offenses are trying to counter with a more physical approach, led by their multi-tight end packages.

Sadiq’s willingness as a blocker means he’s ready to make that impact.

“In Oregon, we did a lot,” Sadiq said. “I’m ready to compete. I have all the attributes and the Combine showed that.”

The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine certainly did show that. Sadiq ran a whopping 4.39, the fastest ever for a tight end. He added a 43.5-inch vertical in a stunning all-around performance.

While the 21-year-old acknowledged that playing speed and straight-line speed are different, the pass catcher believed his attributes make him a weapon worthy of his “Sadiq the Freak” nickname in Oregon.

A family affair

Sadiq’s adjustment from playing in Oregon to New York won’t be something the rookie is worried about.

Why? Because a family member is already in the city for their own career.

Sadiq’s sister, Daisha, is currently enrolled at New York University and studying political science. And the tight end is taking plenty of inspiration from his older sibling.

“She’s phenomenal,” he said. “She works harder than anyone.”

Sadiq knows he will need to work just as hard to make an impact on the Jets this season and beyond. He did suffer through six dropped passes last year at Oregon, which he called “uncharacteristic.”

But it’s still something he knows he must address.

“I’ve been taking it on the chin and realize that is something I need to improve on,” Sadiq said. “I’m strengthening my eyes, my mental, and hand-eye coordination. I was one of the last guys after practice catching balls.”

Looking ahead, Sadiq took a line from the Jets’ previous second overall pick from just a few hours ago.

“Like David Bailey said, this organization is trending in the right direction. I’m just a piece that can help and I’m ready to help.”

With a two-pick run of Bailey and Sadiq, the Jets are counting on each player’s athleticism and versatility to lead the way going forward.