Most Philadelphia Eagles fans were expecting tight end Dallas Goedert to be entering his final season with the team after signing a one-year contract.
That sentiment just intensified as Goedert saw his team take Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers with the 54th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Many mock drafts had the Eagles take a tight end between the first and third rounds, as they need a future successor to Goedert.
Stowers ran a fast 4.51-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, the second-best time by a tight end there. He had 62 passes for 769 yards and four touchdowns last season with Vanderbilt.
Dallas Goedert better be careful with Eli Stowers there in Philly
It might be safe to assume that Goedert comes in as the starter for the 2026 season, but how long he holds that job is another question. Despite having a franchise tight end record 11 touchdowns last year in Philly, Goedert only averaged 9.8 yards per reception, the lowest of his NFL career.
That might open the door for Stowers to step in and potentially steal the starting job. The Chicago Bears did it last year when they selected Colston Loveland in the first round, and he ended up being the leading receiver over veteran Cole Kmet.
Stowers has the ability to be the number one tight end right away for the Eagles and should have that spot eventually. It might happen sooner in new Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion's scheme as the young coach is looking for his own guys to jump in and play early and often.
Read more: Eagles just gave Sean Mannion his dream offensive weapon in Eli Stowers in Round 2
Goedert is still a very good tight end, but Stowers might be ready to push him in training camp for the starting job and prove he was worth the second-round pick.
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