Philadelphia Eagles 2020 training camp profile: TE Dallas Goedert

Expect Goedert to take the next step for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020.

Who would have thought during the Chip Kelly era that part of what it was going to take for the Philadelphia Eagles to catapult themselves into the assurance that they’ll be relevant for a while would the drafting of two guys that played at small schools in states we don’t always think of when we discuss the nation’s hotbeds for talent. Seriously, in 2013, were you thinking “what the “Birds” need is a quarterback from an FCS school (Carson Wentz) and a tight end from the South Dakota State Jackrabbits (Dallas Goedert)”?

Had you gone to Las Vegas and found a way to place a wager on that one, you would have won a lot of bets. Here we are though, and if, by season’s end we’re talking about that North Dakota State Bison quarterback developing a nice chemistry with that kid from South Dakota, that probably means Philly’s having a good year, either that or Zach Ertz is hurt. Let’s hope any success that Goedert has is a result of the former and not the latter.

Year 3 of Goedert’s era with the Philadelphia Eagles is on the horizon.

The “Birds” took Goedert 49th overall in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. It’s still early in his career, but we can probably all say with confidence that their decision to do so turned out to be a good one.

As a rookie, he snagged 35 passes for 354 yards and five trips to the end zone. He followed that with 94 receptions for 680 yards and five more trips to the end zone. He’s on his way to being one of the NFL’s most recognizable stars, but what does that mean for 2020’s season?

It’s a fair question. The answer should put a smile on your face if you’re a Philadelphia Eagles fan.

Here are a couple of bold predictions if you’re a Philadelphia Eagles fan.

Contrary to popular opinion, JJ Arcega-Whiteside’s lack of success as a rookie in 2019 was less about what he was doing, and more about what he wasn’t getting from his coaches, particularly Mike Groh and Carson Walch. With a more competent wide receivers coach, Aaron Moorehead, and with Rich Scangarello and Marty Mornhinweg in the coaching fold, “JJAW” should blossom. That helps every other playmaker on the Eagles offense, particularly the tight ends.

Goedert doesn’t need help getting open as he’s faster than you might think, and he’s strong. He’s a better blocker than Ertz, so he’ll get a lot of opportunities on third-and-short and in the red zone.

On any other offense, outside of Philly’s and the ones in Kansas City and in San Francisco, he’s the starter. Still, with teams needing to key in on all of the Eagles’ speedy receivers both new and old and with Zach Ertz getting the lion’s share of the attention underneath, Goedert will get even more opportunities in 2020. Figure him to snag about 60 to 75 balls and reach the end zone seven to eight times in 2020.