With their final selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles selected tight end, Grant Calcaterra, out of SMU. Sixth-round picks aren’t expected to come in and be major contributors right away, but Calcaterra could end up being a significant piece to the offense this season and beyond.
The Eagles have their number one tight end in Dallas Goedert, but what Philly has behind him on the depth chart doesn’t guarantee the team anything. There’s a lot of uncertainty. Here’s what we do know.
Jack Stoll will be heading into his second season with the team, and the room also consists of Richard Rodgers and Tyree Jackson. Jackson tore his ACL in the Birds’ final game last year so it is unclear when he will be game ready.
Newly converted wide receiver to tight end J.J. Arcega-Whiteside can’t be ruled out either. With the depth Philly has at the tight end position, Calcaterra could force himself into the number two tight end role and play a lot as a rookie.
Rookie tight end Grant Calcaterra could be a key offensive piece in 2022.
In an intriguing story written by Bleacher Report’s Ian Wharton, Calcaterra is named as the Eagles’ potential rookie gem. Given what Philadelphia wants to do on offense, Calcaterra could play a major role in the Birds’ offense in 2022.
He isn’t known to be a great blocker, but he is a good receiver at the tight end position. Grant has the versatility to line up at multiple different spots on the field and could be a secret weapon for Jalen Hurts and the offense. Here’s what Wharton had to say about Calcaterra and what he could contribute.
"Calcaterra was a dynamic receiving tight end in SMU’s pass-happy offense. He’s fast off the line for a 6’4″, 240-pounder and should feast against the zone coverages that Jalen Hurts draws as a scrambling quarterback. The Eagles didn’t rely on a second tight end much in 2021 behind Dallas Goedert, but expect a bigger emphasis on the passing game after receiver A.J. Brown was added to help Hurts’ development."
In the later rounds of the NFL Draft, general managers are looking for players that could fill certain roles. Most of the time you aren’t going to find franchise cornerstones or superstar players in the back half of the draft. Good general managers find quality backups and solid players who can fill roles as late-round picks.
Calcaterra won’t be pushing Goedert for the starting tight end position, but he is a solid backup behind him. Grant can be another weapon for Jalen Hurts in this offense. The young rookie already has a connection with Hurts, with the two both playing at Oklahoma together. The two will look to keep the connection rolling as the season begins.
With OTAs starting up and training camp around the corner, keep an eye on how the Eagles use Grant Calcaterra and what his role could be going forward.