With or without tight end Zach Ertz, the Eagles will be counting on Dallas Goedert to play a big role in the offense in 2021.
And if Ertz is not wearing midnight green this season, then the fourth-year tight end will have big shoes to fill.
Sure, last season, Ertz battled injuries and played in only 11 games forcing him to post statistics that haven’t been as low since his 2013 rookie year.
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But from 2015-2019, Ertz averaged 86 receptions, 914 yards and over 5 touchdowns per season. The last three of those years earned him Pro Bowl honors. Oh and Ertz has the legacy of scoring the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl LII.
Ertz also is the franchise’s second all-time leader in receptions (Harold Carmichael is first) and Ertz holds the Eagles’ record for most receptions in a single season (116 in 2018). So needless to say, the pressure is on Goedert to shine.
NBC Sports betting partner PointsBet lists Goedert’s over/under on receptions at 59.5 this season. In his three years with the Eagles, Goedert has averaged just under 46 receptions per season, with 58 as a personal best in 2019.
Goedert has the potential to be highly productive if he becomes the starting tight end under Nick Sirianni and is healthy enough to play in all 17 games this season. He too was also limited to 11 games in 2020.
NFL
Also, chemistry with Jalen Hurts will be a key. Goedert played in three of the games Hurts started and caught 11 balls on 17 targets.
Looking back at last year’s numbers, 59 receptions would have ranked Goedert ninth in the league amongst tight ends. That’s not too shabby.
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