Eagles NFL Draft Preview: Top 10 Tight Ends - ‘Luxury’ for GM Howie Roseman?

PHILADELPHIA - On the surface, tight end doesn’t seem like a major need for the Philadelphia Eagles.

The reigning NFC champions have a 28-year-old starter who is one of the best in the business in Dallas Goedert, a capable backup who has earned the trust of star quarterback Jalen Hurts in Jack Stoll, and a TE3 with some real upside as a flex receiver in Grant Calcaterra.

Despite that don’t be surprised if Howie Roseman considers the position relatively early for two reasons, the most obvious of which is a deep tight end draft class. The position is simply so well-stocked that the value might be too much for the Eagles to overlook with the range being No. 30 overall down to 94 over the first two days.

The second point was echoed by a former Eagles scout when discussing the idea of drafting a talented running back like Bijan Robinson.

“They’d improve their run game more by drafting a good tight end or wide receiver [to spread the field] in the second round than they would be drafting a running back in the first,” the personnel executive said.

The sentiment behind that is that is about spreading the field even more to allow Hurts to create havoc as a threat to pull the football on the backside.

For those dismissing the idea as out of hand remember Philadelphia drafted Goedert in the second round in 2018 despite having Zach Ertz, who was coming off a third consecutive 70-reception season and a Pro Bowl berth.

Ertz and Goedert ended up playing together for 3.5 seasons.

As far as developmental talent the Eagles tendered Tyree Jackson as an exclusive rights free agent but the former University of Buffalo, who has dealt with injuries over the past few seasons has yet to sign it.

The team also brought back Dalton Keene, a 2020 third-round pick by New England, on a futures deal. Keene spent a month on the Eagles’ practice squad last season.

DRAFT DAY BOTTOM LINE: The Eagles don’t need a tight end but if a meaningful receiving type falls into their laps at the right time, Roseman has shown he’s not above taking a so-called luxury pick.

EAGLES TE DEPTH CHART:

TE1 Dallas Goedert; TE2 Jack Stoll; TE3 Grant Calcaterra; TE4 Tyree Jackson; TE5 Dalton Keene

EAGLES TODAY TOP 10 (we asked three former NFL scouts for their top 10 at the position and came up with a cumulative list):

1. Michael Mayer, Notre Dame

2. Dalton Kincaid, Utah

3. Luke Musgrave, Oregon State

4. Darnell Washington, Georgia

5. Sam Laporta, Iowa

6. Tucker Kraft, South Dakota State

7. Brenton Strange, Penn State

8. Luke Schoonmaker, Michigan

9. Davis Allen, Clemson

10. Zack Kuntz, Old Dominion

Sleeper - Noah Gindorff, North Dakota State

Boom or Bust - Darnell Washington, Georgia

BUILDING THE PERFECT TE

Route-running - Dalton Kincaid, Utah - Kincaid is an advanced technician at this stage of his development with a savvy feel to generate separation.

Best seam threat - Dalton Kincaid, Utah - Kincaid has the straight-line speed to stress any defense down the middle.

50-50/red-zone threat - Darnell Washington, Georgia - At nearly 6-7 with wild athleticism, Washington could turn into a jump-call specialist.

YAC - Sam Laporta, Iowa - Have you seen George Kittle? There is something in the water at Iowa because defenders seem to melt off of Laporta when he starts rumbling down the field.

Blocking - Michael Mayer, Notre Dame - If this were 1985 Mayer might be one of the best tight end prospects ever. An old school-type who can dominate in both phases. Rarely do you see an in-line option like this.

PRE-DRAFT PROCESS NOTES:

- The Eagles met with Zach Kuntz virtually and he’s the type of size/speed option who could develop into a real problem as a flex receiver.

EAGLES POTENTIAL PICKS:

Day 1 - None

- The Eagles need to find two starters with their two first-round picks, likely on defense and TE would be too much of a luxury right now.

Day 2 - Darnell Washington, Georgia; Sam Laporta, Iowa

- It won’t be hard to imagine someone biting on Washington at the end of the first round but if he drops a bit due to lack of production at the college level, don’t be surprised if the Eagles bite. Laporta doesn’t have Washington’s upside but is a much more finished product.

Day 3 - Zach Kuntz, Old Dominion

- If Roseman repopulates his Day 3 ammunition keep a sharp eye on Kuntz, who is a developmental prospect with a big upside.

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-John McMullen contributes Eagles coverage for SI.com's Eagles Today and is the NFL Insider for JAKIB Media. You can listen to John, alongside legendary sports-talk host Jody McDonald every morning from 8-10 on ‘Birds 365,” streaming live on YouTube. John is also the host of his own show "Football 24/7 and a daily contributor to ESPN South Jersey. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen