The 2025 NFL Draft is over and teams are getting comfortable with their new draft picks. The next class of players is getting prepared now for another year of college football. Each position will be analyzed in the coming days. Here is the 2026 NFL Draft prospect watchlist: Tight Ends.
Endries was a three-star recruit in the class of 2022 who decided to stay in-state and play for California. He didn’t play in 2022, but then produced in 2023 with 35 catches for 407 yards and two touchdowns. The Golden Bears won six games that season. His play improved in 2024, as he caught 56 passes for 623 yards and two touchdowns. He led Cal to six wins again last season, but transferred to Texas this offseason.
At 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, Endries has a good frame, but could fill it out better to help his play strength. He has good route-running potential and finds the soft spot vs. zone. Endries makes catches off of his frame and is a red-zone threat. He isn’t a deep threat and doesn’t always pick up much after the catch, but he has great production at the college level that should have him considered as one of the better tight ends in the class.
As a three-star recruit in the class of 2022, Klare signed with Purdue out of Ohio. He redshirted in his first season, then had 22 catches for 196 yards in 2023. He helped Purdue win four games that season. In 2024, he upped his game with 51 catches for 685 yards and four touchdowns. He was a bright spot on a bad Purdue team and transferred to Ohio State for the 2025 season.
Klare has a 6-foot-4 frame, which is a good starting point, but needs to add play strength, as he is only 235 pounds. He is a good athlete who runs after the catch well. Klare is a red zone threat, but does more of his damage over the short and intermediate routes, where he can find the soft spot against zone coverage. His run blocking needs to improve, but he is a good receiving threat right now.
Royer was a four-star recruit in the class of 2020 who decided to stay in-state and play for Ohio State. He redshirted in his first season and didn’t play much during the next three years at Ohio State. Royer transferred to Cincinnati for the 2024 season and impressed. He finished the season with 50 catches for 521 yards and three touchdowns. He helped the Bearcats win five games.
He has a good, filled-out frame at 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds. Royer is a good athlete who is able to run crisp routes for a tight end. He provides value after the catch as well. Royer is a good safety valve and has added value with experience at fullback. He is an older prospect who can improve as a blocker, but Royer has good athletic traits.
Sadiq was a four-star recruit in the class of 2023 who signed with Oregon out of Idaho. He had five catches for 24 yards as a freshman. As a backup to Terrance Ferguson in 2024, he caught 24 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns. His play helped Oregon make the CFP as the no. 1 overall seed.
While he has a smaller frame at 6-foot-3, it is already filled out. He is a solid athlete with good speed. Sadiq is quick and has the ability to run after the catch well. He can struggle to separate and can improve his route-running. Sadiq will have a larger role this season and has a chance to really boost his stock with production.
Stowers was a four-star quarterback in the class of 2021 who signed with Texas A&M. He spent two seasons with the Aggies, then transferred to New Mexico State. When at New Mexico State, he made the transition to tight end. In 2023, he had 35 catches for 366 yards and two touchdowns. He helped the team win 10 games, then transferred to Vanderbilt. In 2024, he caught 49 passes for for 638 and five touchdowns. Stowers led the team to a seven-win season.
His main strengths come as a receiver. Stowers needs to add more play strength and work on his blocking technique. His experience as a quarterback helps, as he understands coverages and knows how to separate. He is a good athlete who has good route running and run-after-the-catch ability. Taking a step forward could help him be selected early in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Oscar Delp, Georgia Bulldogs- Delp was supposed to be next in line after Brock Bowers went to the NFL, but his production didn’t jump too much in 2024. If he can improve in 2025, he can be selected early in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Luke Hasz, Ole Miss Rebels- Hasz had two productive seasons at Arkansas and now joins Ole Miss, where he has a chance to be in Lane Kiffin’s offense.
Tanner Koziol, Houston Cougars- Koziol spent three seasons at Ball State and he improved every year. Last season, he was one of the more productive tight ends in the country, then transferred to Wisconsin then Houston this offseason.
Lawson Luckie, Georgia Bulldogs- Luckie was the more productive tight end last season and likely has more pro potential than Delp. One more good season and he could be one of the top tight ends in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Jack Velling, Michigan State Spartans- Velling played two seasons at Oregon State, then followed the coaching staff to Michigan State. He produced at Michigan State, but has a chance to do more in 2025.
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