2026 NFL Draft Stock Up
Sam Roush, TE, Stanford
Team sources say that Roush had an excellent week of practice, and they think he is a top candidate to be the second tight end drafted after Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq. At 6-foot-5, 250-pounds Roush has the size to be a Y (blocking) tight end but also has receiving talent. He showed consistency as a receiver the past two seasons for the Cardinal. In 2025, he had 49 catches with 545 yards and two touchdowns after totaling 334 yards on 40 catches and two scores the previous season. Roush could be a second-round pick next April.
Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State
Team sources said two centers really impressed them at the Senior Bowl. One of them was Florida’s Jake Slaughter, and the other was Hecht. Hecht (6-4, 297) is a little underweight, but he is a technician who is smart, blocks with good hand placement, and is gritty. Hecht improved his chances of being a day-two pick after his week of practice in Mobile.
Keylon Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech
Rutledge had a quality 2025 season for the Yellow Jackets, showing strength at the point of attack. At 6-foot-4, 320 pounds, Rutledge has a thick frame with some strength to contribute to the ground game. Rutledge has some evaluators who think he is a worthy second-rounder, while some others have him a few rounds lower. Team sources say that Rutledge helped himself at the Senior Bowl and increased his chances of being a second-rounder.
Matthew Hibner, TE, SMU
Hibner was one of the standouts in a strong group of tight ends at the Senior Bowl. Team sources say Hibner impressed them with his receiving ability and potential as a blocker. In 2025, Hibner totaled 31 catches for 436 yards with four touchdowns. He had 24 catches for 368 yards and four scores the previous season. Hibner (6-5, 252) has functional size to be a blocker and receiver.
Sam Roush, TE, Texas A&M
Boerkircher (6-4, 250) did not produce a big season for the Aggies, but he played well enough to earn an invitation to the Senior Bowl. Boerkircher totaled 19 catches for 198 yards and three touchdowns. Boerkircher has some functional size for the NFL. He helped himself with a quality week of practice at the Senior Bowl, according to team sources.
Tanner Koziol, TE, Houston
Koziol was one of the most productive tight ends in college football in 2025, hauling in 65 passes for 651 yards with five touchdowns. In 2024, he had 94 catches for 839 yards with eight touchdowns at Ball State. Koziol (6-7, 240) has mismatch height to be a red zone weapon in the NFL. After a strong week of practice at the Senior Bowl, Koziol could sneak into the second day of the draft.
2025 NFL Draft Stock Down
John Michael Gyllenborg, TE, Wyoming
IGyllenborg impressed NFL advance scouts, and they gave him a favorable ranking among the 2026 tight end prospects. However, Gyllenborg did not have a big season on the field and also did not impress at the Senior Bowl. In 2025, Gyllenborg had 24 receptions for 217 yards and a touchdown. He hasn’t played since mid-September. In 2024, Gyllenborg caught 30 passes for 425 yards with three touchdowns. Gyllenborg needs to help himself with some strong pre-draft workouts.
