On March 17, NFL scouts gathered at the Moshofsky Center next to Autzen Stadium in Eugene to watch the Ducks with professional aspirations for next season. Oregon’s draft-eligible skill players, including top tight end prospect Kenyon Sadiq, went through drills before April’s NFL Draft, and spoke to the media. Several linemen also went through workouts, with guard Emmanuel Pregnon expected to be among first or second-round options at his position.

Gary Bryant Jr., Malik Benson and Kenyon Sadiq participated in the route running drill, where they caught passes at different angles. Benson had a slow start to the season, but as Oregon’s wide receiver room got banged up, he rose to the occasion.

“When I first got into it in the spring, things weren’t going the way I wanted to go,” Benson said. “But not once did I ever doubt myself and tell myself that I can’t do it. Just trusting the process and knowing that eventually, all my work’s gonna come alive. It just happened to come alive in November when we needed it the most.”

Benson made his presence felt both as a receiver and a kick and punt returner, which should increase his ability to fit into an NFL lineup. One of his biggest moments came in the second-to-last game of the regular season against USC when he returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown. He likely won’t be taken until at least the fifth round, but he has the potential to develop into a dangerous playmaker, similar to what he showed with the Ducks. Teams that could be a good fit for him include the Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills, who could benefit from a young receiver and return specialist later in the draft.

Sadiq was already expected to be the first tight end taken off the board as a top 15 overall pick. When he arrived at the combine in Indianapolis, he raised the bar even higher when he ran the fastest 40 yard dash by any tight end in combine history of 4.39 seconds. His 43.5 inch vertical jump was the second highest by a tight end, and his 11-1 board jump was the third highest by a tight end.

“It’s continuing to just prove myself,” Sadiq said. “There’s a lot of things in the season I wouldn’t say went exactly how I wanted it to go, so I think there’s a lot to prove whether that’s meeting, board work, or even some position work leading up to OTAs.”

Despite all his pre-draft success, there have still been some questions about Sadiq’s blocking ability, which he had something to say about.

“Anyone that says I’m not a willing blocker obviously doesn’t watch any film,” Sadiq said.

Teams that will consider using their first pick on a tight end include the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers.

One of the drills for the offensive players was the 40-yard dash.

Bryant ran in 4.58 and 4.55 seconds in each attempt. The sixth-year redshirt senior spent the last three seasons with the Ducks after transferring from USC. Injuries have limited his playing time the past two seasons, but Bryant has shown he can understand defenses and run dangerous routes as a receiver and a kick returner. He will likely go in the sixth round. Teams that could use additional depth at the slot receiver position include the Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints. Teams that could benefit from a returner like Bryant Jr. include the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans.

Offensive lineman Matthew Bedford ran 5.4 and 5.36 in each of his attempts. He will likely be taken in the later rounds or as an undrafted free agent. The Pittsburgh Steelers are one example of a team that could add to their offensive line at the end of the draft after addressing other needs.

Offensive lineman Alex Harkey ran 5.33 and 5.24 in his attempts. The redshirt senior played one season at Oregon after stops at Tyler Junior College, Colorado, and Texas State University. He will likely be taken in the fifth or sixth round. Teams that may address their offensive line in those rounds include the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams.

Offensive lineman Charlie Pickard ran 5.28 in both attempts. The walk-on center most likely won’t hear his name called until the later rounds. Possible fits include the San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers, who may look to upgrade their center position later in the draft.

The offensive linemen that didn’t run the 40 at Pro Day were Isaiah World and Emmanuel Pregnon.

World has high potential at left tackle, but due to his injury history, likely won’t be picked until at least the fourth round. He would be a good fit for teams like the New York Giants or Green Bay Packers, who could certainly benefit from some stronger protection up front.

Pregnon is expected to be the first Oregon lineman off the board. His run block power and pass protection will likely allow him some good minutes as a rookie. Pregnon is expected to be taken in the late first round or early second round. He has met with the Houston Texans and Detroit Lions, who are each looking to address their offensive line early in the draft.

Last year was the second year in a row that Oregon had a program record number of players drafted with 10 names being called. Dan Lanning’s program can expect similar numbers in the 2026 Draft.