The Eagles’ increased speed could greatly benefit Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert

Philadelphia Eagles the training camp is around the corner … maybe? Players are currently scheduled to report to the NovaCare complex later this month. As we count the days together, Bleeding Green Nation will preview each position on the Eagles list. We continue today by examining the tight end position. Previously: Strategist | Come back | Wide receiver.

ZACH ERTZ

What is there to say about Ertz that you didn’t already know? It is far from a dynamic YAC monster but it is remarkably reliable. He always knows how to open and move the chains. He is one of the most effective NFL players near the goal line. There is a good reason why Carson Wentz likes to launch so much at Ertz. The Eagles will hope their extra deep speed will open the passing game and make life easier on Ertz. Opponents should not be able to enter number 86 as much as they did last year. If they do, Wentz should be able to charge the defenses by defeating them in other ways.

DALLAS GOEDERT

Hopefully there will be no lasting impact from the sucker blow that Goedert suffered this offseason. Scary to see him take such a big blow to the head. Goedert made a jump from year 1 to year 2 and it will be interesting to see what he can offer in year 3. His ceiling is capped to some extent with Ertz still there, but that does not prevent it hardly be an effective weapon. As Ertz said, Goedert should theoretically benefit from the Eagles’ addition of the stretching speed of the field that will deflect it. Goedert also plans to continue to be an asset in the racing game as he is an excellent blocker. One wonders if Goedert could sometimes see more traditional rear looks with the Eagles calling on Rich Scangarello, Kyle Shanahan’s ally, as their new senior offensive assistant.

JOSH PERKINS

Perkins could be the favorite for tight third place since he ended the 2019 season in this role. The Eagles seem to appreciate his “versatility” as a tight winger who can also line up on a wide receiver. Still, Perkins has hardly proven to be anything exciting as a catcher. He averaged 9.7 yards per reception on nine catches at the end of last year. I also remember that he had struggled as a blocker. Perkins must earn his place on the team.

ALEX ELLIS

This offseason would have marked Ellis’ first full tank at Philly since he originally joined the Eagles last August. It would have been interesting to watch him since he showed good flashes during training and preparatory matches last year. He has demonstrated his ability as a catcher, blocker (Eagles used him as a back in certain goal line situations in the regular season) and special team contributor. Maybe Ellis can still do enough to be on the team this year. It is my preference for tight third place.

NOAH TOGIAI

Togiai obtained the third highest warranty out of the 13 Eagles’ undrafted free agent signings. The book about him is that he has some ability to capture passes but his blocking needs a lot of work. More likely to make the training team than to earn a spot on the list.

The Eagles entered the 2019 season with the thought that they could easily switch between effective packages of 11 and 12 people. They would have been a dangerous offense if that were really the case.

Unfortunately for them, their receiver situation turned out to be appalling. The Eagles had to rely on two tight sets too much, which led them to be one of the worst teams in the NFL out of 12 people last season.

The Eagles hope that their wide receiver enhancements will also lead to more efficiency from their tight ends. Ertz and Goedert could benefit from not having to be the first two passing game targets on a weekly basis.

Although this article focuses on Eagles’ prospects for 2020, it’s hard not to think about the long-term viability of Philly’s tight end situation. There has been talk that the Eagles are considering extending Ertz’s contract despite the fact that he is 30 years old in November and is signed until 2021. Will Goedert, who signed until 2021 but becomes eligible for an extension after 2020, really want to redo if Ertz is still going to block his way?

The Eagles have not yet crossed this bridge; they can take advantage of one of the two best tight duos in the league while waiting.

Ertz and Goedert are obviously not going anywhere. The only question is: who makes the team the third tight link? Or do the Eagles only keep two on the main 53 and use the new training team rules to raise a third guy to the 55 when necessary?