Reuben Frank, Dave Zangaro and Andrew Kulp continue the 2019 edition of Stay or Go, trying to figure out the future of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Today, they look at tight end.
Zach Ertz
Roob: Ertz finally put it all together and played at an otherworldly level, setting an NFL tight end record with 122 receptions during the regular season and 10 more in the playoffs. His 437 career catches are most by a tight end in his first six seasons. Ertz just turned 28 and is on track to be one of the all-time great tight ends.
Verdict: Stays
Dave: He just had his best season in the NFL and one of the best seasons a tight end has ever had. He has three years left on his current contract and is likely going to go down as one of the greatest Eagles of all time. Some think he was used too much in 2018, but I’m not buying it; production is production.
Verdict: Stays
NFL
Kulp: Does anybody honestly think the Eagles would get rid of Carson Wentz’s boy? Seriously, though, Ertz is coming off a record-setting season and two straight invites to the Pro Bowl. He’s 28, at the top of his game and one of the top three players at his position.
Verdict: Stays
Dallas Goedert
Roob: It’s incredible that a No. 2 tight end behind a guy who caught more passes than any TE in history still had a chance to catch 33 passes for 334 yards and four TDs. It speaks volumes about what a prospect Goedert is. One of the best young tight end prospects in the league.
Verdict: Stays
Dave: As a rookie, Goedert had 33 catches for 334 yards and four touchdowns, but that wasn’t even the most impressive part of his season. To me, his ability as a blocker is what makes him stand out. He still has room to grow, but he can do it all and his emergence should allow the Eagles a ton of versatility to use two-TE sets. I don’t think they’ll ever make 12 personnel their base offense, but I could envision much more in 2019 because it’s going to be hard to keep him off the field.
Verdict: Stays
Kulp: Goedert’s modest rookie season was something I saw coming. There just aren’t many tight ends who make a big splash their first year in the NFL, especially when they’re not the starter. He may not take a huge leap in 2019, either, but Goedert is already a weapon in the red zone (five touchdowns, including playoffs) and running after the catch. He even blocked reasonably well.
Verdict: Stays
Richard Rodgers
Roob: Rodgers came off IR for the second half of the season and didn’t play a lot on offense but was actually a pretty significant factor on special teams. He’s a free agent but would make sense to bring back as an emergency tight end who’s caught as many as 58 passes in a season and capable special teamer at minimum wage.
Verdict: Stays
Dave: The Eagles will keep three tight ends, so it’ll come down to re-signing Rodgers or just keeping Josh Perkins. The Eagles should be able to bring back Rodgers at a reasonable price after he missed most of the 2018 season, but I think Perkins would be just fine if he’s healthy.
Verdict: Goes
Kulp: Not seeing the need for Rodgers, quite simply. He contributed some on special teams once he returned from injury, though his role decreased as time went on, while he was a non-entity in the offense. Heading into year six, the vet minimum salary is probably close to twice that of a kid who could do the same job – and possibly better.
Verdict: Goes
Josh Perkins
Roob: Perkins is a sure-handed receiver but isn’t going to give you much along the line of scrimmage. He really is probably more suited to being a wide receiver than an in-line tight end. Perkins is one of those guys who could be invited to training camp but is a longshot to make the 53.
Verdict: Goes
Dave: Perkins should have the right to compete for that third tight end job with Rodgers if the Eagles bring Rodgers back. As a converted wide receiver, Perkins was forced to play wideout early in the year and did fine. I didn’t think they really gained anything when Rodgers got healthy.
Verdict: Stays
Kulp: There was clearly a level of comfort with Perkins, who not only played significantly on special teams, but was a big part of the offense the first few weeks, too. He’s working his way back from a knee injury, which is key. If Perkins is healthy enough to fend off competition in camp, he might stick around for another year.
Verdict: Stays
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