Countless Contenders

Once faced with an uncertain future, Dallas Goedert once again headlines what has shaped up to be a fairly deep, intriguing group of Eagles tight ends.

Another familiar face, fourth-year pro Grant Calcaterra, returns for another summer, likely securing the No. 2 role behind Goedert.

What about beyond the aforementioned, where a sea of contenders are vying for an opportunity to earn a place on the 53-man roster? The room is stocked with a bit of everything, from established veterans to free agent additions and youth.

With a host of new faces on the roster, and with competition in key areas at play, now is the time to begin brushing up on the various position groups.

Our position preview series continues with a comprehensive look at the tight end group.

GETTY: Grant Calcaterra was the No. 2 TE behind Dallas Geodert last year, but has some new competition for this season.

Dallas Goedert

Back in the fold following an offseason laced with some uncertainty pertaining to his future, Goedert reprises his standing atop the Eagles’ tight end pecking order. Among the best at his position, the eighth-year pro furnishes the offense with dynamic qualities, including run-after-the-catch ability and the ability to stretch defenses. He’s also the Eagles’ most proficient blocker at the position.

While we can all acknowledge Goedert’s impact, one of the storylines I’m most curious to learn about is how the Eagles plan to utilize and involve Goedert in the Kevin Patullo-led offense. If the offense is to truly evolve, Goedert figures to have a hand in that, as the South Dakota State product has, at times, altered the course of games. Will he have a larger role?

Grant Calcaterra

Calcaterra has been a great story of development. That’s a testament to, obviously, Calcaterra’s work, but also tight ends coach Jason Michael for directly overseeing the gradual progression. The 2022 sixth-rounder enjoyed career highs last season as second-in-command to Goedert, totaling 298 yards on 24 receptions. He also secured his first NFL touchdown in the 22-16 win over the Panthers.

Calcaterra again enters training camp at the Eagles’ No. 2 tight end and has become a trusted option for quarterback Jalen Hurts. While Calcaterra remains a work-in-progress as a blocker, his effectiveness as a pass-catcher shouldn’t be discounted. Perhaps the fourth-year pro has another leap in store.

Harrison Bryant

One of the more interesting signings of the Eagles’ sizeable crop of free agent additions, Bryant adds athleticism and experience to the room, appearing in 78 games (33 starts) during this time with the Browns and Raiders. The 2020 fourth-round pick produced 877 yards and 10 touchdowns on 98 catches in that span.

Bryant, who offers fluidity and some range as a receiver, also participates on special teams, logging 699 career third phase snaps. He’ll be one to pay attention to this summer.

Kylen Granson

The other free agent added at the position this offseason, Granson brings with him 62 games (17 starts) of experience. A fourth-round pick of the Colts in 2021, Granson caught 86 passes for 958 yards and a touchdown over his four seasons. The 6-foot-3, 242-pound Granson, who is built more like an H-back, adds appealing versatility and is a plus-blocker. He’s also played quite a bit of special teams in his career, including 265 snaps in 2024.

While Granson didn’t dazzle with any memorable catches during the media-attended spring practices, he proved to be a reliable target on intermediate routes, securing a flurry of passes. It’s obviously early, but his primary challenger for a No. 3 tight end slot that may or may not ultimately exist, figures to be Bryant.

GETTY IMAGES: TE E.J. Jenkins was signed to the 53 last year and will try to win a backup job again.

E.J. Jenkins

Jenkins made the successful switch from collegiate wide receiver to NFL tight end, performing well last summer during training camp. While he narrowly missed nabbing an elusive spot on the 53-man roster, Jenkins burned through his practice squad elevations and was eventually signed to the active roster. The 6-foot-6, 260-pounder appeared in eight games – and all four postseason contests – recording a touchdown on his first NFL reception.

Competition for a roster spot will again be fierce, and Jenkins must string together another strong summer to stand apart. Working in his favor is that Jenkins is probably the team’s second-best blocker at the position, a facet of his game that he takes pride in and that required some work. He strikes me as the kind of player who’ll shine when the pads come on.

Nick Muse

Like George Costanza, Muse left on a high note, starring as a receiver during the team’s lone practice of mandatory minicamp before breaking for the summer. For reference, Muse laid out like an outfielder to reel in a pass for about 25 yards and used his frame and positioning to haul in a red zone touchdown despite coverage. While that means little in the grand scheme unless the production carries over into training camp, it’s noteworthy that Muse flashed because the Eagles clearly have a logjam at tight end. Muse did his part is making an impression.

Muse, who actually overlapped with Jenkins at South Carolina, entered the NFL with the Vikings in 2022 as a seventh-round pick. He appeared in 16 games over his three seasons, registering a catch for 22 yards.

Cameron Latu

Latu (6-5, 244), a third-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2023, inked a Reserve/Future contract with the Eagles last winter. The 25-year-old missed his entire rookie season with a torn meniscus and last summer fell short of making the 49ers’ roster. The Alabama product, now on his third team, is more in the mold of a pass-receiving tight end.

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.