In Carson Wentz’s 2018 return, rookie TE Dallas Goedert was both highly involved and highly effective. Despite narrowly trailing fellow seam-stretcher Zach Ertz in targets (10-7), Goedert tied him with a team-leading 73 yards while leading the team with 7 receptions and hauling in Wentz’s only score. At only 13% owned, Goedert could be a massive addition for those needing bench improvement. With TE paper-thin, Goedert is usable for the TE-desperate as long as Jeffery’s inactive, and would be a weekly Top-5 option if Ertz misses time.
In his first game back, Wentz often looked to Goedert when pressured and on the run, while showing immense trust in his new weapon by throwing to him in tight, contested windows and on third-downs. A specimen at 6’5″, 256 lbs with the speed to work all three levels of the field, Goedert led all draft-eligible TEs in PFF’s yards per route run (2.94).
Moreover, he’s a former basketball player who has incredible ball skills and body control to go up and over defenders, while excelling at using his massive frame to “box out” defenders. He was used as a moveable chess piece in college, logging 33% of his snaps in the slot or out wide, and has been deployed similarly by Doug Pederson to begin his career.
Recall – the Eagles traded up ahead of the TE-needy Cowboys to take Goedert, highlighting how much they covet him. He flashed all preseason, racking up a 9-149-TD stat line while being labeled by beat writers as an “immediate red-zone threat.”
Though he may struggle to find this much weekly volume, especially when Alshon Jeffery returns, Goedert’s play and usage in Wentz’s return were both extremely encouraging. At such a thin position, Goedert is usable for the TE-desperate as long as Jeffery’s inactive, and would be a weekly Top-5 option if Ertz misses time.
