ESPN NFL insider Peter Schrager recently released his newest and last mock draft for 2026, where he predicted the Los Angeles Rams would trade back with the Detroit Lions to No. 17 and take Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq.It's an intriguing pick considering the Rams took Sadiq's teammate, Terrance Ferguson, with their first pick in 2025 at No. 46. But, as Schrager later explained, the Rams like both Sadiq and USC receiver Makai Lemon. And so while the Rams' trade-back scenario would have them lose out on Lemon (who went to the New York Jets at No. 17), Schrager thinks the Rams would be just as happy to take Sadiq at the No. 17 pick.
"Sean McVay loves Kenyon Sadiq. They love Makai Lemon in that building. They do. And he might be the pick at 13 and that's clean and that's easy," Schrager said.
"I do know McVay has an affection for getting a receiver or a tight end in this draft. And if it's not Lemon, I think Sadiq would be great."Schrager further explained that even though the Rams took Ferguson in 2025, they might still need tight end depth for the future. Colby Parkinson is in the final year of his contract and Tyler Higbee is 33 and was potentially considering retiring after the 2025 season.
Higbee will be back on a two-year deal.So, pairing Sadiq with his former Oregon teammate would give the Rams their tight end room of the future if the team doesn't want to keep Higbee and/or Parkinson after the 2026 season. And it also sounds as if the Rams would like either Lemon or Sadiq in the first round to give Matthew Stafford more offensive firepower to work with. Rams general manager Les Snead recently noted that Lemon is a "fun player" who "you always felt like he'd bring [the ball] down" when a pass went his way.This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Schrager: Rams interested in Makai Lemon, Kenyon Sadiq in first round