The Rise Up, See Red podcast · Jess Root

2026 NFL draft preview: TE prospects and the Arizona Cardinals

April 3, 2026·32 min·2 clips

Kenyon Sadiq ran a 4.39 at 241 pounds, making him too big for DBs and too athletic for linebackers.

This episode of the Rise Up, See Red podcast is a 2026 NFL draft preview focused on the tight end position class. Hosts Jess Root from CardsWire and Seth Cox from Revenge of the Birds analyze prospects despite the Arizona Cardinals not having a pressing need at the position. They begin by noting the potential for two or three tight ends to be selected in the first round, which would surpass sportsbooks' current over/under line of 1.5. Seth Cox argues the modern tight end is a hybrid player, citing George Kittle and Travis Kelce as prototypes who create mismatches with size and athleticism. The consensus top prospect is Kenyan Sadiq, who measured 6'3", 241 pounds and posted elite testing numbers including a 4.39-second 40-yard dash and a 43.5-inch vertical leap. Sadiq's college production at Iowa State showed yearly increases, culminating in 560 yards and eight touchdowns in his final season. Cox compares Sadiq's potential floor to former sixth-overall pick Vernon Davis, a two-time Pro Bowler. The number two prospect is Eli Stowers, a former quarterback at Texas A&M who transitioned to tight end and posted 62 receptions for 699 yards in his final season at Vanderbilt. The hosts debate whether Stowers or others might sneak into the first round, with Cox predicting only Sadiq will go on day one. They discuss Oscar Delp, a highly-touted recruit from Georgia whose college production never matched his hype, leading to a potential day three selection. Day two prospects include Max Klare from Ohio State and Sam Roush from Stanford, with Roush's 545-yard senior season drawing comparisons to current Cardinal Trey McBride. The hosts note the Cardinals' existing depth with McBride, Tip Reiman, and Elijah Higgins makes a high draft pick unlikely. They suggest the team might instead target a day three prospect for future planning, as Higgins is a pending free agent and Reiman's long-term role is uncertain. A day three name highlighted is Michael Trigg from Baylor, who had 694 yards and six touchdowns in his final season and could fill a future role. The tone is conversational and analytical, blending prospect evaluation with specific team roster considerations for the Cardinals. This episode is ideal for Arizona Cardinals fans and NFL draft enthusiasts who enjoy detailed prospect breakdowns and team-specific roster strategy. Listeners seeking news about immediate Cardinals transactions or those with no interest in draft speculation may find less value here.

As heard by us

A grounded Cardinals draft conversation that stays on fit, role, and draft cost.

Jess Root and Seth Cox keep the focus where it belongs: fit, role, and draft cost. The Cardinals tight end question never turns into empty prospect chatter.

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Why you'd press play

You want a Cardinals tight end board, not a mock-draft victory lap.

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