Take Your Pick

The Eagles have some daunting personnel decisions to make on a number of players in the coming weeks. Apart from top-end talents slated for free agency – like pass-rusher Jaelan Phillips, tight end Dallas Goedert, linebacker Nakobe Dean and safety Reed Blankenship – the team might conceivably be tasked with reshaping an entire room.

In addition to Goedert, fellow tight ends Grant Calcaterra and Kylen Granson also have expiring contracts, which would leave the proverbial cupboard relatively barren.

Replacements can fortify the position through free agency, but the crop of prospects in the NFL Draft offers an enticing blend of top-end talent and fascinating developmental prospects from which to choose. And it’s reasonable to expect the Eagles to seek balance in this offense when considering skill set.

As the Eagles potentially look to remake the tight end room under first-year coordinator Sean Mannion, a look at nine players at the position that you should know.

Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

Measurables: 6-foot-3, 241 pounds

Combine testing numbers: 4.39 (40-yard dash); 43.5″ (vertical); 11’2″ (broad jump); 26 reps (bench)

Atop the vast pool of tight end prospects in this class is Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq, who might be just out of reach for the Eagles as they currently stand, though worthy of a first-round selection. Sadiq, 20, appeared in 42 games the Ducks, accounting for 892 yards and 11 touchdowns on 80 receptions. While the 2024 season served as the table-setter, 2025 would prove to be a breakthrough for Sadiq, who rolled up 560 yards and eight touchdowns on 51 receptions. He earned first-team All-Big Ten and Big Ten Tight End of the Year honors for his efforts.

In recent years, teams have seemingly placed a greater emphasis on dynamic move tight ends in an attempt to create mismatches. Sadiq offered perspective on the subject, speaking to that spike in demand.

“Versatility is huge, being able to create explosive pass plays, but also being able to run the ball,” he said. “It creates a lot of mismatches on the defensive side, whether they’re nickel or base or whatever it is. So, I think if you have a great tight end or a couple great tight ends, it really helps out your offense in a whole.”

 Sadiq, whose game is predicated on athleticism and explosiveness, often mentioned his versatility, but acknowledged his “point-of-attack blocking or perimeter blocking” as areas he can “clean up on.” At one point, Sadiq’s production – he finished his Oregon career with less 1,000 receiving yards – was brought to the forefront. His response to what he’d tell NFL teams if the topic was poached wold presumably qualify as music to the ear for most teams.

“I mean, it just goes down to I’m willing to do whatever my team wants me to do,” he said. “Production is one thing, but also being a great teammate as well. And I think I’ve done that. So, one, just displaying my capabilities mentally, but also, the attributes I can bring to a team, not just snap count, but on special teams as well. So, all these attributes, if you look at snap count, you’re missing. So, I do think I bring a lot of value to a team.”

While hardly the be-all, end-all at this stage, Sadiq on Thursday mentioned he hadn’t met with the Eagles in Indianapolis. In terms of players at the next level that he views among the elite, Sadiq listed Trey McBride, George Kittle and Kyle Pitts as a few who excel in both the run game and generating explosive plays.

Said Sadiq: “I like watching a lot of them, taking parts of their game, trying to put them into mine.”

Vanderbilt TE prospect Eli Stowers ripped up the athletic testing at NFL Combine.

Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt

Measurables: 6-foot-4, 239 pounds

Combine testing numbers: 4.51 (40-yard dash); 45.5″ (vertical); 11’3″ (broad jump)

For the well-traveled Stowers, his career began at Texas A&M, with a one-year stop at New Mexico State, before emerging as a household name during his two seasons at Vanderbilt. An All-SEC first-team selection in 2024 after nabbing 49 catches for 638 yards and five touchdowns, Stowers was the center of attention going into 2025 to see what he’d do for an encore. He answered with 769 yards and four touchdowns on 62 receptions. There was even a two-game span when Stowers combined for 19 receptions for 268 yards and two touchdowns in games against Texas and Auburn.

“My strengths are in my athleticism, being a matchup problem because I have a rare ability in terms of athleticism and size to be able to create some mismatches and then also being able to catch the ball,” he said. “I’ve taken a lot of strides in my run blocking over the last two years. I think I’ve gotten a lot better, and I think I continue to get a lot better as well.”

Stowers, a converted quarterback, has only been playing the position for three seasons, suggesting he’s only scratching the surface. It’s fair to classify him as more of a finesse player — his blocking needs work and he’ll need to be more consistent in attacking contested throws and playing through contact — but he’s proven himself to be a dynamic, fluid mover who can generate explosive plays downfield. While much has been made of Stowers’ expanding list of positive attributes as a prospect, the 22-year-old offered a candid response when asked about specifying a facet of his game in need of refining.

“I would say my blocking, because that was the newest thing to me, newest technique, newest movement coming from quarterback,” he acknowledged. “That was something you never did as a quarterback. I think I’ve gotten a lot better, but I want to continue to learn, watch film, and hone my technique.”

As far as influences, Stowers acknowledged watching as many tight ends as possible to “continue to learn,” but specifically cited the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce (route running) and 49ers’ George Kittle (mindset). He also gave a nod to an all-time great in Chargers tight end Antonio Gates:

Said Stowers on Gates: “I think he’s a guy I can learn a lot from in terms of understanding the game, being able to sit, find zones, and get open and be a quarterback’s friend.”

Max Klare, Ohio State

Measurables: 6-foot-4, 246 pounds

Combine testing numbers: N/A

Klare’s natural feel for route running and knack for finding soft spots in zone complements his dependable hands and ability to play through contact. In some ways, Klare is reminiscent of former Eagles tight end Zach Ertz, though Klare enters the league with better marks as a blocker. After spending his first three seasons at Purdue, Klare transferred to Ohio State ahead of the 2025 season, reeling in 43 passes for 448 yards and two touchdowns. For his career, Klare accounted for 1,329 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 116 catches.

Klare is a high-level athlete who could quickly become a safety valve for a quarterback due to his receiving prowess. At the podium in Indianapolis, he highlighted his strengths at the position.

“Get down the field efficiently, create separation up top for the quarterback to have a spot to throw the ball, and then improve on creating movement at the point of attack against longer defenders,” he said. “It’s always a work in progress, and something I’ve always developed throughout my college career and want to continue to develop.”

Klare, who pointed to the 49ers’ George Kittle, Lions’ Sam LaPorta and Cardinals’ Trey McBride as players at the next level he models his game after, revealed he had a formal interview with the Eagles. Notably, Klare would also later add that he has studied Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert.

“Definitely,” he said. “I think he plays the game the right way. His route running and smoothness is something every tight end wants to be like. So, I take bits and pieces from him as well.”

Oscar Delp, Georgia

Measurables: 6-foot-5, 245 pounds

Combine testing numbers: N/A*

*According to Zach Klein of WSB Sports, the NFL won’t allow Delp to participate in the on-field testing portion of the combine because an X-ray during the medical evaluation revealed a hairline fracture in his foot. Delp will have an opportunity to test on March 18, at Georgia’s Pro Day.

Delp, who started all 14 games last season for the Bulldogs, was curiously utilized sparsely as a receiver last season, catching 20 passes for 261 yards and a touchdown. For perspective, in 55 games, Delp pulled in 70 receptions for 854 yards and nine touchdowns. The lengthy receiver offers plus-movement ability and spacial awareness and is a natural downfield separator. The reliability of his hands also shouldn’t be overlooked. At Georgia, Delp garnered a reputation as a blocker, though he suggested it was a role he grew into over time.

“I can be put anywhere,” he said. “I feel like I’m looked at as a blocking tight end. I’m a receiving tight end that learned how to block. I enjoy it. I feel in love with blocking. I mean, who doesn’t like overpowering another man against his will?”

Delp finds himself in a crowded contingent of talent at his position, though he offered a confident response when asked what separates him from the pack.

“I think just the way I handle my business in the run game and on the perimeter,” he said. “I feel like football – nowadays – has become a perimeter …a lot of things are ran on the perimeter. In order to have a successful football team you need to have a tight end who can own the C-gap and own the perimeter. Those are two things that I take pride in with my game.”

Delp revealed he had a formal meeting Thursday with the Eagles.

Cincinnati TE product Joe Royer is one of the better TE prospects in the draft.

Joe Royer, Cincinnati

Measurables: 6-foot-5, 247 pounds

Combine testing numbers: N/A

Royer, 24, began his collegiate career in 2020 at Ohio State – appearing in 14 games – before transferring to Cincinnati following the 2023 season. As a member of the Bearcats, Royer produced 937 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 79 catches over 24 games. At the podium in Indianapolis, he outlined the strong points of his game.

“I come from a wide receiver background, so I feel like I play well out in space, running and catching the ball and out on the perimeter,” he said. “So, I feel like I’m more a fluent, H-back tight end, but I did a lot of inline stuff this year as well.”

Royer offers intriguing size and moves well in confined space, but experienced most of his success on short and intermediary throws. Still, he moves well enough and boasts an intriguing catch radius and experience in versatility, complementing his competency as a blocker. At this time, Royer is likely viewed as an early Day 3 prospect.

Sam Roush, Stanford

Measurables: 6-foot-6, 267 pounds

Combine testing numbers: 4.7 (40-yard dash); 38.5″ (vertical); 10’6″ (broad jump); 25 reps (bench)

Roush, who attended high schools in San Jose, Calif., and Nashville arrived at Stanford in 2022 and remained there all four seasons, compiling 1,201 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 119 receptions. In a November matchup against Pittsburgh, Roush eclipsed the 100-yard receiving threshold, totaling 104 yards on eight receptions in the 35-20 loss.

While a capable receiver, Roush’s calling card is his blocking, where he exhibits a violent mentality at the point of attack and offers a frame that figures to translate to success in similar fashion at the next level.

“I love dominating another individual,” he said. “We had a quote up in our locker room, ‘There’s no greater feeling than moving a man from point A to point B against his will,’ and I want to embody that.”

Roush, who last season turned in career highs in receptions (49) and yards (545), came into his own a bit as a pass-catcher, but when asked what area of his game developed most throughout his time at Stanford, he pointed to his bread and better.

“I think run blocking,” he said. “Through my time at Stanford I had a real great tight end coach in Nate Byham, so we worked a lot on the mentality. And then the physical element of it as well as technique. So, when you get that violent mentality in your game, playing after the whistle, then you can start to develop technique and build upon it.”

Michael Trigg, Baylor

Measurables: 6-foot-4, 240 pounds

Combine testing numbers: N/A

Trigg will be 24 by training camp, but his development over five seasons makes for an intriguing projection at the next level. He arrived at Baylor in 2024 by way of Ole Miss, where he spent two seasons, and his first stop was at USC. Combining for only 58 catches over his first four seasons, Trigg would experience a breakout in 2025 with 50 receptions for 694 yards and six touchdowns — all career highs — earning him an invitation to the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

To what does Trigg attribute his late emergence? To getting his “feet wet” the previous season, along with the trust of teammates and coaches.

Interestingly enough, Trigg also comes from a basketball background. A point guard at Seffen Christian Academy (Tampa, Fla.), Trigg noted how his experience on the hardwood translated on the football field.

“For tight ends, I feel like basketball translated a lot,” he said. “Just some of the movements, like, crossing somebody over, I feel like that’s the same as getting around a DB or a linebacker.”

Tanner Koziol had a strong two seasons at Houston to mold himself into an NFL TE prospect.

Tanner Koziol, Houston

Measurables: 6-foot-6 1/2, 247 pounds

Combine testing numbers: 4.7 (40-yard dash); 36.5″ (vertical); 10’2″ (broad)

Koziol, who spent his first three seasons at Ball State before moving on to Houston for his final season, came on strong as a pass-catcher during his final two seasons, combining for 1,566 yards and 14 touchdowns on 168 catches. While hardly classifying as explosive or dynamic, Koziol has demonstrated a knack for having vice-like hands and uses his body well for positioning and reeling in contested catches.

“I really do think that there’s an aspect of a good ball and a good catch beats any coverage,” he said. “And with my size and my frame and my catch radius, I think with any quarterback we could really develop a great connection and continue to just dominate the next level.”

Koziol also expressed a desire to excel in the run game, citing with proper technique and mindset, he can “dominate” in that facet. Perhaps most fascinating is that while most prospects at his position typically cite the game’s elite as primary influences, Koziol referenced a relatively obscure tight end for the Washington Commanders as a comparison.

“When you see a guy like John Bates for the Washington Commanders, he’s a guy that probably no one really knows about, no one really talks about, but he’s dominated the run game and he’s elite for the Commanders in the run game,” he said. “Just being able to be that aspect of a tight end is really, really fun.”

Will Kacmarek, Ohio State

Measurables: 6-foot-5 1/2, 261 pounds

Combine testing numbers: 4.74 (40-yard dash); 36″ (vertical); 9’11” (broad)

Kacmarek spent his final two seasons at Ohio State after beginning his career at Ohio. With the Bobcats, Kacmarek accumulated 42 receptions for 507 yards and two touchdowns over 27 games (13 starts). At Columbus, he worked in tandem with Klare, though mostly functioning as a blocker, generating 17 receptions for 206 yards and a pair of touchdowns over 24 games (15 starts).

It was evident when speaking to Kacmarek, who in some ways conjures shades of former Eagles tight end Jack Stoll, that he approaches his role as an inline blocker with pride and intensity. And if you happened to watch the Buckeyes the past couple of seasons, Kacmarek’s willingness to do the dirty work in both the run and pass game, served as understated contributions to the offense’s execution.

“I think it’s my playing style, and not a lot of people like to do it, but I think I take pride in that role and doing so can separate yourself,” he said. “And I think it’s a big part of why I’m here right now. And again, I just. I love doing it and doing the dirty work, and I think it’s fulfilling to do that. And knowing that you impose your will on another player all the game.”

The 23-year-old makes for an appealing late-round selection for a team looking to round out a room with a tenacious blocking specialist.

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