When the Eagles selected tight end Dallas Goedert in the second round of the 2018 draft, it was a surprise, considering they already had Zach Ertz on the roster—especially after he helped them beat the New England Patriots to win Super Bowl LII. Now, Goedert finds himself in a similar position as Ertz after the Eagles won Super Bowl LIX. This time, however, the team faces a tougher decision.
With defensive end Josh Sweat and defensive tackle Milton Williams headed for free agency, uncertainty at a cornerback spot, and the need to address depth at other positions, amount of cap space, Goedert’s name continues to be brought up as a player the Eagles could move on from to create more cap room. However, there are other factors could keep him on the roster in 2025.
Last season, Goedert caught 42 passes for 496 yards and two touchdowns but missed seven games because of knee and hamstring injuries, paving the way for Grant Calcaterra to get more playing time. In the games Goedert was unavailable, Calcaterra had 14 catches for 165 yards and a touchdown.
Goedert is entering the final year of his contract and could be looking for an extension for long-term security. As of Thursday, the Eagles had $21.9 million in salary cap space, according to Over The Cap (OTC). If they were to release Goedert with a post-June 1 designation or trade him after June 1, OTC projects they would save $4 million. While the additional cap space would provide relief, it would also leave the Eagles with questions at the position.
The Eagles have placed an emphasis on using two tight ends, a strategy that became more prominent in the second half of last season, benefiting both the run game and play-action passing attack. According to SumerSports, the Eagles used “12” personnel—one running back and two tight ends—on 327 plays last season, tying them with the Baltimore Ravens for the fifth-highest total in the league.
The remaining tight ends on the roster are Calcaterra, E.J. Jenkins, Nick Muse and Cameron Latu. Among them, they have a combined 16 regular-season starts, all belonging to Calcaterra. The Eagles added Jenkins to the active roster last season to prevent other teams from signing him off the practice squad, and he showed promise in the preseason. However, in the eight games he played, he primarily contributed on special teams. In 95 offensive snaps, he caught one pass—a 7-yard reception in the regular-season finale against the Giants.
Even if the Eagles extend Goedert or come to a restricted deal, they could still look to address the position in the draft. The team must decide whether to keep the 32nd overall pick or trade down to acquire additional selections, likely resulting in two second-round picks. If the Eagles draft a tight end, two potential fits are Texas’ Gunnar Helm and LSU’s Mason Taylor.
Taylor, the son of former Miami Dolphins edge rusher Jason Taylor, is considered one of the best receiving tight ends in the draft. He has shown the ability to create separation and be a reliable pass-catcher. In 12 games last season, Taylor had 55 receptions for 546 yards and two touchdowns. Helm caught 60 passes for 786 yards and seven touchdowns in his junior season. He excels at making plays after the catch, with Pro Football Focus crediting him with 420 yards after the catch—the third-highest total in the FBS. Like many young tight ends, he needs to improve as a blocker, particularly against edge rushers, but that can develop with technique and repetition.
If the Eagles keep Goedert for at least one more season, he could mentor a rookie tight end before departing. However, if they let him play out his contract, they risk not receiving a compensatory pick in 2027, depending on the contract another team offers him. It’s also difficult to gauge what another team might be willing to trade for him. Ultimately, Goedert still gives the Eagles the best chance to maximize their odds of repeating as Super Bowl champions. That’s not to say Calcaterra and Jenkins couldn’t contribute, but having a proven player in Goedert keeps the Eagles' offense difficult to stop.
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Chris Franklin may be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com.