Earlier this week, Howie Roseman made an appearance on the 94WIP morning show and was going through the Eagles’ potential offensive stars when he finally got to Dallas Goedert.
He came to a realization.
“The guy that I think we’re all sleeping on, and it’s so funny because I was thinking about this last night and I was like, ‘I have to go talk to this guy today because of how excited I am for him this year’ is Dallas Goedert,” Roseman said to WIP.
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“And I understand it. Everyone’s excited about A.J. I’m excited about A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith in his second year and Jalen and our offensive line.
“But this guy (Goedert), man, this guy is another physical freak. This guy really can do everything you’re looking for from the tight end position, he’s really come into his own, his work ethic. I think he’s really one of the guys we haven’t talked about enough, about how good of a player he is and how good he is for our football team.”
Roseman might be on to something.
Because Goedert really does seem poised for a huge season.
NFL
As hard as it is to believe, this time last year, the Eagles still had Zach Ertz on the roster. And it wasn’t until October, when Ertz was traded to the Cardinals, that Goedert took over at TE1 and really began to shine. Down the stretch last season, Goedert played like a true No. 1 tight end and put together a 1,000-yard pace in the second half of the season.
This summer was Goedert’s first as the unquestioned top tight end on the roster.
“It’s exciting this year being the Tight End 1, going to work every day, trying to elevate the guys below you,” Goedert said. “It’s been fun. Looking forward, we’ve got a young room, to watching them keep growing and keep growing myself.”
Last year, Goedert finished with 56 catches for 830 yards and 4 touchdowns. It was the best statistical year of his four-year NFL career, but he probably still hasn’t peaked. What we sometimes forget about Goedert is that even when he’s not catching the ball, he can still change the game. His blocking matters too.
Yet he still hasn’t had a 1,000-yard season, still hasn’t made a Pro Bowl. But plenty of people think those things are coming. After all, in his first four seasons he had to compete with Ertz for playing time and targets.
This summer, Goedert looked the part of an elite tight end.
“For me, myself, I want to do whatever this team asks of me to win,” Goedert said. “I’m all about the blocking, I’m all about catching the ball. Like I say all the time, I’d like 200 targets. That would be incredible but that might not happen. Really, whenever my number is called, I expect myself to make a play, go out there and win on every route, win on every block and just keep putting the offense in the best position possible.”
Defenses will have to make some pretty tough decisions on how to guard the Eagles in 2022. That could help Goedert.
While Brown and Smith got a ton of targets during training camp, Goedert topped them all. He really seemed to forge a strong connection with starting quarterback Jalen Hurts.
What went into that connection?
“I just think the work,” Hurts said. “Dallas is always a guy that’s always a call away when it comes to putting work in. Whether that’s in Jersey, Texas, wherever we are. I think that will show this year.”
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