Draft 2026: TE - Kenyon Sadiq, Justin Joly, Oscar Delp
Might the Lions snag a TE in an early round?
There don’t appear to be many premium TE prospects this year, which works out fine for the Detroit Lions who probably won’t be considering one until the later rounds.
The hope is that Sam LaPorta has a successful recovery from his herniated disc surgery and regains form as an elite TE. Not only is there uncertainty with LaPorta, the backup TE Brock Wright has his own health concern with a trachea that forced him to miss the final 6 games of last season.
For the full NFL 2026 draft prospect medical analysis page, click here.
Here are 3 of the top TE prospects for the 2026 NFL draft in case the Lions decide to grab that position in an early round. All have minimal medical concern levels which is exactly what the Lions need.
Medical concern level ranges from 0 (no concern) to 5 (might be worth the risk if the reward is high) to 10 (take him off your board, Brad).
(Ages in parentheses are at start of 2026 season and are factored into the concern level. Injury info and ages based on available public information and are unverified - subject to update. Games played data courtesy of sports-reference.com.)
Quick summary of medical concern levels
Kenyon Sadiq, TE (21): possible mild ankle sprain - 1/10
Justin Joly, TE (22): possible mild quad strain - 1/10
Oscar Delp, TE (23): mild ankle - 1/10
Kenyon Sadiq, TE (21) - Oregon
Projected round 1. #21 on Daniel Jeremiah board Jan 27.
Concern level 1/10
2025: 14/15 games. Mild lower-body (ankle?) injury in Game 5. Fell hard in Game 7. Missed Game 9 with unspecified injury.
2024: 14/14 games
2023: 14/14 games
Sadiq was banged up a bit in his final season, but none of it sounds too concerning. His young age is a big positive. If the Lions surprisingly take a TE in the 1st, Sadiq is almost certainly the guy.
Sadiq collected 80 receptions for 892 yards in college, with almost all the production in his final 2 seasons.
Justin Joly, TE (22) - NC State
Projected round 2. #53 on Jeff Risdon board Feb 19.
Concern level 1/10
2025: 12/13 games. Injured left leg (quad strain?) in Game 8, missed next game.
2024: 13/13 games
2023: 12/12 games
2022: 12/12 games
The left leg injury is suspected to be a minor muscle strain, but will need to be investigated to make sure it’s not a joint issue. Otherwise, he has shown perfect reliability and is a very clean prospect.
Joly racked up big numbers in college, finishing with 166 receptions for 1978 yards.
Oscar Delp, TE (23) - Georgia
Projected round 3. #79 on Jeff Risdon board Feb 19.
Concern level 1/10
2025: 14/14 games
2024: 14/14 games. Mild ankle injury.
2023: 14/14 games
2022: 13/15 games
Delp appears to be very clean medically, with a minor ankle being the only reported injury. His age bumps him up a concern level, but overall would be a solid, minimal-risk selection in a later round.
Delp finished his career with 70 receptions for 854 yards.
For analysis and outlook of Sam LaPorta’s back injury…