Kenyon Sadiq got here as-advertised, a part of a Jets offense that was downright enjoyable in Week 1 | Newest NFL News, Evaluation & Updates

NASHVILLE — Kenyon Sadiq’s highschool coach acquired a questionnaire final fall from an NFL crew — the identical crew Sadiq will face in his second sport as knowledgeable soccer participant.

The type requested variations of the identical query: Where do you see him taking part in within the NFL?

It’s a query Scott Berger had been answering in some type for a very long time. When Sadiq performed in highschool, he was a large receiver.

But on that questionnaire from the Green Bay Packers final yr, Berger laid out a imaginative and prescient for Sadiq that may as effectively function the define for the way the New York Jets are planning on — and, primarily based on Week 1, already are — utilizing him.

“I think he’ll be a matchup problem because he’s faster than a linebacker, and if they put one of those nickel corners on him he’s bigger and stronger than they are,” Berger stated. “I just think that he’s going to be a real good move-type of guy.”

Sadiq’s first school landing, within the 2024 Fiesta Bowl towards Liberty, got here with Oregon in 14 personnel (one operating again and 4 tight ends). When the ball was snapped, he ran behind Bo Nix, who tossed it to him, and he took it into the tip zone for a 3-yard landing. The first teammates to greet him ultimately zone had been his tight finish teammates, Terrance Ferguson and Patrick Herbert.

That sounds acquainted in the event you simply watched the Jets’ Week 1 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday — particularly their first landing of the season. On their first drive, the Jets lined up in 13-personnel (three tight ends, one operating again) with Sadiq positioned at virtually the identical precise spot he was within the Liberty Bowl on the appropriate facet. He minimize behind quarterback Geno Smith, who handed him the ball. Sadiq, behind some skilled blocking, coasted into the entrance nook of the tip zone for his first NFL landing. The first teammates to greet him ultimately zone had been his tight finish teammates, Mason Taylor and Jeremy Ruckert.

“I knew it was coming,” Sadiq stated of the landing. “It was just a matter of time. It was just surreal.”

Said Smith: “I mean, that’s what we’ve seen from him. Every time he’s been on the field, whether it was in practice or even in the game, he’s a guy who’s going to make an impact. He’s a professional, he understands what to do … he showed up in a big way.”

It was the primary drive of the Jets’ 2026 season and it set the tone for what was to return on Sunday. Sadiq had his first profession reception earlier within the drive. All advised, the first-round rookie performed 28 snaps, giving a bit of preview of the type of mismatch he might be, and the way Frank Reich will use him to maintain defenses off stability.

Sadiq represents the hope for one thing extra on offense, one thing artistic — one thing enjoyable. Yes, this Jets offense appeared enjoyable towards the Titans: a flowing passing sport, a profitable run sport and a dominant offensive line. The Jets can lastly win with some offensive creativity, and Sadiq may be the face of that.

Some proof: The Jets ran three performs out of 13 personnel on their opening drive and 11 performs general, per TruMedia. They solely ran three performs out of that personnel all of final season. On Sunday, additionally they ran one play in 14 personnel and 15 in 12 personnel (one operating again, two tight ends). Sadiq, together with his versatility, is the important thing that unlocks these groupings.

As Glenn identified, at one level throughout Sunday’s sport the Titans had been flagged for too many males on the sphere as a result of a personnel package deal with additional tight ends had them scrambling.

“That’s something that we’ve talked about since we drafted Sadiq, was to be able to match him up with Mason (Taylor), (Jeremy) Ruckert, and Jelani (Woods) and to be able to move these guys around because they can do so much,” Glenn stated. “I thought that was pretty fun to see.”

Even after lacking most of coaching camp due to hernia surgical procedure, Sadiq has already proven he’s the type of athlete and versatile offensive weapon to maintain defenses sincere. He’s a decent finish with a movable skillset that only a few others at his place can match. It’s why the Jets drafted him with the sixteenth choose — and why different groups wished him.

One assistant coach from a crew that drafted forward of the Jets advised The Athletic on Sunday that he wished their crew had drafted Sadiq.

Additionally, Berger stated that when he spoke to a Los Angeles Rams scout, they advised him, “Hey, we like tight ends,” Berger recalled. “We like lots of them. We like to move them around. He said that’s why we’re interested in Kenyon.”

The Jets, it seems, really feel the identical method.

At the basis of that’s his athleticism — his velocity and power — mixed with a excessive soccer IQ. “The good thing is,” Reich stated, “he’s very smart.”

Former Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein, now the pinnacle coach at Kentucky, stated within the spring that he thinks Sadiq goes to be “terrorizing defenses” within the NFL briefly order.

“He can be in-line, he can be off the ball, he could be in a fullback position, he’d be on the perimeter, at receiver,” Stein stated. “A scout told me, I couldn’t agree more, like whatever position he’s lined up at, that’s what position he looks like he’s supposed to play. He looks natural at so many spots.”

At Oregon, Sadiq was productive final yr (560 yards, eight touchdowns) however was battling accidents and was not often at full power even whereas taking part in a lot of the Ducks’ snaps. In an offense flush with expertise, the Jets will not want Sadiq to be anybody’s No. 1 or 2 goal. He’s not even their No. 1 tight finish — he is behind Mason Taylor on the depth chart and rotating with each Jeremy Ruckert (29 snaps on Sunday) and Jelani Woods (16). Still, do not be shocked if Sadiq is being talked about on a grander scale on this offense because the season progresses and he beneficial properties extra expertise.

One purpose to really feel that method: Think about how a lot time he missed. Sadiq performed in rookie minicamp, had hernia surgical procedure, missed all of OTAs and minicamp, returned early in coaching camp — lengthy sufficient for the Jets to check out the end-around he scored on — however then had a setback and did not return to follow till simply earlier than the common season. As a outcome, Reich stated the Jets would possible must throttle again their plans for Sadiq due to the time missed.

That may need been lip service. There Sadiq was on the very first drive of the season, taking part in a vital function as a weapon that Reich and Smith already belief.

That belief was largely constructed on a perception in Sadiq’s expertise and uncooked athleticism, certain, but additionally in the best way he works — and has labored behind the scenes as he is climbed again from harm.

“It just felt really good,” Sadiq stated, “to get back out there.”

This article initially appeared in The Athletic.