The Washington Commanders haven’t looked the same as Jayden Daniels’ rookie season. In their Week 6 game against the Bears, the Commanders fell at home. Daniels took ownership of his late-game turnover, which led to a close 24-25 loss. “But it was on me. So I take accountability.” A 3-3 record so far is also down to the veteran TEs, Zach Ertz’s inconsistent season. The team is not looking to resolve this issue through a trade. That leaves the room open for getting a future star in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Consensus first-round pick and Oregon’s star Kenyon Sadiq could be a solution for Washington. His stocks are so high that other teams, too, are already monitoring his situation. For now, ESPN’s veteran draft analyst has Sadiq slated at #15. “A pass-catching tight end is near the top of the Commanders’ needs, with Zach Ertz turning 35 next month and on an expiring contract,” said Jordan Reid. The veteran TE signed a one-year, $6,250,000 contract, and that team may look at other options. The inconsistency was on display during the Week 5 win, where he recorded his worst showing in a decade.

The Commanders won against the Chargers, but Ertz didn’t catch a single pass. Last time he blanked in the box score was in November 2014. In Week 6, he was very involved in completing all six of his targets for 43 receiving yards and a touchdown. Moving on next season could be an option, or at least, the Washington franchise should target the next successor.

“Sadiq would be an appealing successor, providing Jayden Daniels with versatility in the passing game and serving as a dependable run blocker. Sadiq is young — he doesn’t turn 21 until March — but he has continued to improve in his first season as a starter. He has three TDs this season,” said the report from Ried. To summarize the Oregon TE, he is currently a rare athlete with elite burst, flexibility, and body control. That’s also due to him being a three-sport athlete in high school.

Coming out of Idaho, the 6-foot-3, 240-pound TE saw limited opportunity during 14 games in his freshman year, finishing with five catches for 24 yards and just 1 TD. However, his sophomore year marked a turning point. Kenyon Sadiq hauled in 24 receptions for 308 yards and two scores. This year, the Ducks TE already has 17 receptions for 225 yards in 6 games and 3 receiving TDs. Interestingly, more than half of his 2025 yardage came after the ball was in his hands.

Emphasizing that he has the vision and speed to cause conflict after the catch. With all the qualities, not just ESPN’s Jordan Reid, but other draft analysts like Mel Kiper Jr., Matt Miller, and Steve Muench have all predicted him to be the #1 TE of the 2026 class.

Not just Jayden Daniels, a 3x Super Bowl champion, will benefit from Kenyon Sadiq’s addition

Putting incredible effort into the blocking phases of the game as well makes Sadiq an integral part of the rushing attack for any team. With the #15 pick, the Commanders can add the Oregon TE to aid Jayden Daniels. But due to him being a rare prospect, any team can pounce on the opportunity. Especially with the #14 pick, the Kansas City Chiefs have a tight end dilemma of their own regarding Travis Kelce’s future.

The 10-time Pro Bowler has been Patrick Mahomes’ most trusted target and emotional leader for nearly a decade. However, the 36-year-old is in his final year of the two-year, $34.25 million contract. Previously, Kelce admitted that in the last offseason, he “thought long and hard” about retirement. The organization has not yet made clear whether it intends to negotiate another extension. That’s why Kenyon Sadiq, because of his aforementioned abilities, can become a solid pick even for the Chiefs.

Now, whether it’s suiting up for the Commanders or playing alongside Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City, Sadiq, for now, is a top TE pick for the teams. Still, there is a lot of football left, and any permutation of picks can change. But keep your eyes on the Oregon TE, who continues to gather momentum before the 2026 draft in April.