Run on tight ends in 2026 NFL Draft matches memorable 2023 class
· Yahoo Sports
PITTSBURGH — A whopping nine tight ends have been selected through the first three rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
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The haul of tight ends selected matches the memorable 2023 class through three rounds that included Dalton Kincaid, Sam LaPorta, Michael Mayer, Luke Musgrave, Luke Schoonmaker, Brenton Strange, Tucker Kraft, Darnell Washington and Cameron Latu.
The only difference, many of the aforementioned players were extremely talented and are already proving themselves in the NFL.
In what is a weak class beyond Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq, who was drafted No. 16 by the New York Jets, names came flying off the board in Rounds 2 and 3, Friday, April 24.
The Philadelphia Eagles drafted Vanderbilt's Eli Stowers with the 54th overall pick, before Texas A&M's Nate Boerkircher went to the Jacksonville Jaguars at 56. Stowers was a backup quarterback at Texas A&M for two seasons, before transferring to New Mexico, then finished his career with Vanderbilt.
The run was not done there. Michigan's Marlin Klein was drafted three picks later by the Houston Texans. Ohio State's Max Klare was selected by the Los Angeles Rams at 61.
A jaw dropping five tight ends heard their names called in Round 3.
Just five picks in, The Chicago Bears selected Standford's Sam Rousch. The New Orleans added Georgia's Oscar Delp at No. 73. In the latter stages of the third round, the Miami Dolphins drafted Ohio State's Will Kacmarek at No. 87. Notre Dame's Eli Raridon wrapped up the tight end frenzy after being chosen by the New England Patriots at No. 95.
Stowers, Delp, Klare, Roush and Raridon combined for just nine touchdowns in 2025, while Sadiq had eight by himself. These tight ends are not household names, even amongst the most diehard college football fans.
Will the risk of these tight end selections this early in the draft be worth it down the road?
Maybe.
However, many general managers could be left scratching their heads before these tight ends finish playing on their rookie contracts.
Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on X @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: 9 tight ends selected in first three rounds of 2026 NFL Draft