Jacks Of All Trades

The Eagles this offseason made a concerted effort to remake a tight end room in desperate need of diversified skill sets. That the collective group, with the exception of tight end/fullback Cameron Latu, left much to be desired as blockers and contributed to the offensive shortcomings wasn’t lost on the Eagles’ decision-makers, who took the necessary action to ensure balance.

Going into the offseason, the tight end cupboard was barren, with only Latu, E.J. Jenkins, and at the time, Jaheim Bell under contract. Circumstances, as they tend to do over the course of an NFL offseason, change. The Eagles have reshaped the room to better supply newly minted offensive coordinator Sean Mannion with a variety of options.

Here’s a closer look at the Eagles’ remade tight end room:

ITB PHOTO/ANDREW DICECCO: It appeared last year would be Dallas Goedert’s final season in Philly, but he’s back another year.

Dallas Goedert

The Eagles re-signed Goedert for another season to headline the new-look room. Goedert, 31, achieved career highs in receptions (60) and touchdowns (11) last season and has established an unmistakable rapport with quarterback Jalen Hurts over the years. Nick Sirianni often notes the Eagles’ passing game ran through wide receivers A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Goedert. Operating under the presumption that Brown will be moved post June 1, Goedert could stand to see an increase in targets in an offense expected to incorporate a healthy dose of tight end usage. While Goedert once thrived as a two-way player, his blocking efficiency notably declined in 2025, which is worth filing away, but the forecast for the Eagles’ all-time leader in postseason receptions and yardage this season remains promising. Curious to see whether newly minted offensive coordinator Sean Mannion continues the recent trend of scheming creative ways to involve Goedert in the red zone.

Eli Stowers

Selected in the second-round of the NFL Draft last month, Stowers, who on Monday signed his rookie contract, waits in the wings as Goedert’s eventual successor. The Vanderbilt product, a 2025 Mackey Award winner, enters the pro ranks billed as a prolific, uber-athletic receiving threat. The 6-foot-4, 239-pound Stowers is elegant in his movements, gliding seamlessly in and out of breaks and has a knack for find the soft pockets in coverage. He’s also a three-level treat who can gouge a defense working the seams. While blocking isn’t considered a strong suit coming in, Stowers’ willingness in that facet is evident. The Eagles aren’t likely to feature Stowers as an inline blocker as a rookie, which could cap his overall snap share, but it’s an area of his game I suspect will develop greatly in his first season in an NFL building. Perhaps most appealing about Stowers is his potential versatility within the reimagined offense, as the rangy pass-catcher profiles as a matchup nightmare who can be moved around formations to capitalize on mismatches. The top spot remains Goedert’s in 2026, but Stowers represents the future.

Johnny Mundt

Mundt, 31, epitomizes the Eagles’ offseason intent of balancing out the group. For perspective, the 10-year pro has established longevity not because of his receiving prowess – Mundt’s resume includes just 74 career receptions – but because of his blocking ability. The 6-foot-4, 243-pound Mundt sports the requisite frame and mindset to excel in his role as an inline blocker, and if he makes the Eagles’ 53-man roster, should aid in boosting the overall effectiveness of a previously curtailed rushing attack. On the heels of a season in which Grant Calcaterra, last season the team’s No. 2 tight end, accounted for 40% of the Eagles’ offensive snaps, Mundt has a clear path toward undertaking a critical, and often thankless, role.

Cam Latu’s ability to catch and block make him a rare Eagles TE.

Cameron Latu

Though listed as a tight end, Latu functioned last season as a fullback. It remains uncertain whether or not Mannion intends on utilizing a fullback in his offense, but Latu is a tight end by trade. Latu, a 2023 third-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers, wasn’t targeted last season but offers a multifaceted skill set, enhancing his appeal. The 26-year-old offers value as both a punishing inline blocker and special teams stalwart, accounting for 65% of the third phase snaps over 15 regular season games. The key to establishing staying power as a depth piece is contributing to team success in a variety of ways, which Latu does. Assuming the Eagles carry four tight ends on the initial 53-man roster, Latu figures to remain in the running throughout the summer.

Grant Calcaterra

Calcaterra, a sixth-round pick of the Eagles in 2022, returns to the team on a one-year deal, but his place on the roster time around is far less certain. For the past two seasons, Calcaterra, 27, served as Goedert’s immediate backup, reeling in 33 of 43 targets for 374 yards and two touchdowns. Calcaterra was curiously deployed (and miscast) as a blocker last season, contributing to the run game inefficiencies, and the Eagles took that into account this offseason when remaking the room. Calcaterra, who seemingly catches everything thrown his way, should see a flurry of passes in training camp and dazzle as a receiver, as he does each summer. But the room is furnished with more versatile options and now employ a blocking specialist in Mundt, clouding the outlook for Calcaterra’s roster bid.

GETTY IMAGES: The Eagles have been trying to develop TE E.J. Jenkins for the past two seasons.

E.J. Jenkins

Fun fact: Jenkins, who has remained with the Eagles in some capacity for two seasons, actually logged 25 snaps (six on offense, 19 on special teams) in Super Bowl LIX. The hulking 6-foot-6, 260-pound Jenkins was a collegiate wide receiver who converted to tight end once reaching the NFL, but it’s his blocking – an area he’s worked diligently to develop – and physicality that’s most pronounced. Jenkins, 27, appeared in 10 regular season games for the Eagles over two seasons, his lone touchdown coming on his one and only career catch – a seven-yarder from quarterback Tanner McKee. When active, Jenkins served key roles on special teams, typically constituting as a boost for reserves, but competition for what could be four spots will be far fiercer relative to year’s past.

Stone Smartt

Perhaps an overlooked free agent signing, Smartt, 27, comes over from the New York Jets, where he pulled in seven receptions for 52 yards for the team last season over 15 games (one start). Smartt logged 85 offensive snaps and 138 third phase snaps, the latter qualifying as a note of importance, as special teams is likely to be Smartt’s path toward a roster spot. Smart, who offers good size and movement ability for the position, will have an opportunity to gain some traction, though practice reps for someone lower on the pecking order figure to come at a premium. We’re months away, granted, but Smartt is a player I’ll be paying attention to in the preseason, as he’s appeared in 53 career games (seven starts).

Dae’Quan Wright

Signed as an undrafted free agent in the aftermath of draft weekend, Wright was a player I had a draftable grade on. That Wright went unselected through seven rounds is still a bit puzzling to me. Regardless, the Eagles managed to reel in the 2025 second-team All-SEC tight end, who closed out his final campaign with 635 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 39 receptions. Wright provides some juice and explosiveness as a receiver, complementing his wide catch radius. He also moves with urgency after the catch, fighting for yardage and punishing defenders along the way. Wright, 22, is a work in progress as a blocker, but his developmental upside could potentially entice the Eagles enough to carry him on the 53-man roster if he flashes this summer. For what it’s worth, without having even seen Wright complete a training camp session, I included him on my way-too-early 53.

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