NFL coach says what’s holding Dallas Goedert back from being the elite tight end everyone knows he can be

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert has been a dependable weapon for the Birds since entering the league in 2018.

ESPN recently recognized his consistent impact by placing him on their annual list of the NFL’s top 10 tight ends, where he ranks No. 9, down slightly from No. 7 a year ago.

Despite the drop, many believe Goedert’s ranking could be even higher if he weren’t sharing targets in Philadelphia’s star-studded offense.

Here’s what ESPN and NFL coaches had to say about his place on the list: 

Goedert occupies a tricky space on the list because he's a longtime top-10 resident but is, quite clearly, the fourth option in the Eagles' offense behind Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Philadelphia explored a potential trade for 

Goedert this offseason, only to revise his contract to one year and $10 million. His 2024 output -- 42 catches for 496 yards and two touchdowns -- was his lowest since his rookie year in 2018. But he's still considered among the most complete tight ends in the NFL.

"He's still on the short list of tight ends that affect the game at a high level," a high-ranking scout with an NFL team said.

Added a veteran NFL defensive coach: "Very good player -- does everything extremely well, just not exceptional at any one thing in particular ... You don't give him as much thought as some of these other top [tight ends], but probably because you can't afford to with Saquon, A.J. and Smith in that offense."

It’s a bit of a shame that Goedert’s stats don’t fully reflect his talent; had he ended up on a different team, his numbers might be significantly higher.

Still, there’s much more to his game than what shows up on the stat sheet. His blocking has become a key asset, especially in Philadelphia’s new run-heavy offense built around Saquon Barkley.

He might not be considered the league’s best tight end, but in Philly, there’s no question that he’s their guy.