The Pittsburgh Steelers draft rumors are heating up as the team prepares for the big day at the end of the month. Speculation is rampant as to what receiver, lineman, or defensive back could be added to the roster during draft night.
One Pittsburgh media member just took things in a wildly different direction though.
In a recent post, Gerry Dulac strongly hinted at the fact that the Steelers are interested in Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. Despite his impressive resume, this seems like a reach. Heck, the report almost feels like an April Fool's joke (despite the fact that it was published on March 31st).
Gerry Dulac seems way off on Pittsburgh Steelers interest in Kenyon Sadiq
The entire story here doesn’t line up. I think Sadiq could be a quality player, but his fit for the Steelers in the first round is comical.
For starters, the team currently has two quality tight ends on the roster. While Darnell Washington and Pat Freirmuth lack the athleticism and receiving skills that Sadiq offers, they are both more complete players overall.
Freiermuth has been speculated as a trade piece, but the team has been vehement that they want him on the roster in 2026.
Having a trio of top tight ends sounds fun on paper, and a year ago, it could have made sense. However, Mike McCarthy’s offense historically has utilized mostly one tight end sets. While Freiermuth and Washington can comfortably split time, using a first round pick on another tight end feels rich.
Sadiq is also on the smaller side for a tight end, and historically the team has preferred bigger tight ends that can throw blocks (or, in Freiermuth’s case, tight ends that can get in the way of defenders). That isn’t Sadiq’s strength.
It isn’t like Dulac even said that he liked the idea of drafting the uber athletic tight end. He heavily insinuated that the team is interested in him.
When asked to rank a list of most likely first-round picks with some of the usual names (Vega Ioane, Denzel Boston, Dillion Thieneman, among others), Dulac specifically mentioned Sadiq over all of those names.
He also seems high on the idea that the team could go tight end earlier in the draft than anticipated. That is less ludicrous, as the team has a surplus of picks and still needs a third tight end for the room.
However, saying that this team could go after Sadiq in the first is too far for me. Time will tell if Dulac’s sources are true, but it certainly feels like a reach at this point in the draft process.