Kenyon Sadiq
Sadiq is a first-round rookie whose breakout game came only while Mason Taylor was out. Since Taylor returned he has been a minor part of the Jets' passing game, and the latest reporting shows no sign that is changing.
Role
Mason Taylor is the starting tight end again, and Omar Cooper Jr. is also back. Sadiq's snap share has swung with Taylor's availability: 42% in Week 1, 37% in Week 2, 58% in Week 3 and a season-high 69% in Week 4, per Jets X-Factor and FantasyData. I did not find snap numbers for Weeks 5 through 7. His target counts have fallen: 3 in Week 6 and 1 in Week 7, per NBC Sports. He has four catches over his last four games. NBC Sports says Taylor caught nine balls for 57 yards over the past two weeks, which was reported before the Week 7 game. He has also been used as a rusher, with a 3-yard end-around touchdown in Week 1. One earlier piece says he blocks on 34.4% of his snaps, but I could not read the full context.
He was the 16th overall pick, with elite athletic testing (a 4.39 40-yard dash at 241 pounds, per ESPN's profile). When given the TE1 role he caught 7 of 8 targets for 105 yards and a touchdown in Week 3. NBC Sports wrote that it "wouldn't be surprising" if his role grew as the season goes on. Gang Green Nation argued that his snaps should be higher than the other tight ends', especially with receivers missing games. PFF listed Miami as a good matchup, but he got one target against them.
Once Taylor was healthy, the targets went to him. ESPN's analysis says Sadiq "continues to fade into the background." He has had one catch in each of the last two games. NBC Sports called him a likely TE2 after Week 5 and said the Jets' offense has regressed. Part of what is holding him back is that the coaches seem to trust Taylor more as a blocker. He also missed practice time with a concussion and back issues earlier in the year, per the NBC and FantasyData items.
Where analysts split
The disagreement is whether Sadiq's role grows as the season goes on, or whether the Week 3 and Week 4 production was only an effect of Taylor's absence. NBC Sports leaves room for growth but sees no evidence of it so far. ESPN's spin says he is fading. Gang Green Nation argues the Jets should be using him more. No source I found says the coaching staff plans to change his usage.
Research confidence: reported. Outlooks are grounded in web search over current reporting and refreshed through the season.
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