The Minnesota Vikings have every reason in the world to think about life after tight end TJ Hockenson with the NFL draft now less than 24 hours away.
According to a report from Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune, that is precisely what the team is doing as it contemplates how to best utilize its No. 18 overall pick in Round 1 on Thursday night, April 23.
“Names to keep an eye on for the Minnesota #Vikings at pick 18, per @BenGoessling via @KFAN1003: Oregon S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq, Toledo S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Clemson DT Peter Woods, Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy, Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald,” the VikingzFanPage posted to X on Wednesday.
Some of Minnesota’s decision is likely to end up outside the team’s hands, as the Vikings can’t select any players that opposing franchises draft with picks 1-17.
That could prove the biggest issue with regards to Sadiq, who may come into play for the Baltimore Ravens at No. 14, Tampa Buccaneers at No. 15 or entice a trade up by the Carolina Panthers from No. 19, which is where ESPN’s Matt Miller mocked the TE Wednesday.
The Vikings’ No. 18 spot is a little early for a defensive tackle considering the positional strength of that group, even despite it remaining a significant need. McCoy has some injury concerns, current and potentially lingering, which renders the two safeties and Sadiq arguably the most likely targets for Minnesota in the opening round.
Kenyon Sadiq Has High Ceiling as Volume Target in NFL
GettyOregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq.
Sadiq’s production in the Big 10 was never overwhelming, but he did manage to accumulate 75 catches for 868 yards and 10 scores across 28 games played over his final two seasons. He appeared in 14 contests as a freshman but wasn’t frequently used, making just five grabs for 24 yards and one score that year (2023).
At the NFL combine in February, Sadiq blew away his peers in physical testing, posting a No. 1-ranked athleticism score of 99.
Lance Zeirlein of NFL.com compared Sadiq to Trey McBride of the Arizona Cardinals, who caught 126 passes for 1,239 yards and 11 TDs in a bad offense on his way to first-team All-Pro honors in 2025.
“A versatile tight end with a shredded physique and alluring potential as a volume target, Sadiq’s route tree will be full of branches,” Zeirlein wrote. “Teams looking to diversify their passing game options with a talented pass-catching tight end could make Sadiq a priority.”
Vikings Have Potential to Become Uniquely Successful in Pass Game by Drafting Kenyon Sadiq
GettyMinnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell.
The Vikings are actually pretty thin at wide receiver after Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
That reality makes a strong pass-catching tight end all the more important, whether that is for new QB Kyler Murray or JJ McCarthy. Having a third pair of reliable hands in the pass game could also prove crucial next offseason if Minnesota has to go hunting for a new starter in free agency for whatever reason(s).
Hockenson was a cut candidate this offseason before he agreed to rework his contract. However, along with his $5 million pay cut in 2026, Hockenson was able to work out a deal that cleared the final year off his agreement, which means he will become an unrestricted free agent next spring.
There will be some other quality TE options further down the board on Days 2 and 3 if Minnesota decides to go with a defensive back or interior lineman in Round 1, as the position has good depth in the 2026 class. But Sadiq is a potential game-changer at the next level and could wreak havoc in Kevin O’Connell’s system.
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