We continue our positional breakdowns leading up to the 2018 NFL draft with a look at tight ends. Instead of a top five, we'll highlight players at these positions who fit the Eagles and have a chance to be available when the team picks.
So far, we've looked at quarterbacks, running backs and receivers.
At No. 32
Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State, 6-5, 255 pounds
If the Eagles are planning to take a tight end at 32, Goedert would be the ideal choice. He's drawn comparisons to Zach Ertz with his reliable hands and ability to find soft spots over the middle. He put up consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and 18 TDs in his last two seasons combined. Coming from a small school, it's slightly disappointing he didn't run the 40 at the combine or his pro day. He's not the greatest blocker, but he's not bad and he's willing. Ertz and Goedert would make the Eagles' offense even more lethal.
Mike Gesicki, Penn State, 6-5, 247 pounds
Gesicki is an athletic freak who crushed the combine after a productive career in Happy Valley. His catch radius is ridiculous. His 4.54 40 doesn't always show up on tape, which makes me wonder if there's a little more there. Gesicki's biggest flaw is his blocking. He's just not good at it. Has Ertz improved enough in that regard for the Eagles to feel comfortable taking a poor blocking tight end? The duo would be incredibly dynamic in the passing game.
Hayden Hurst, South Carolina, 6-4, 250 pounds
Hurst is the most complete tight end in this draft and it's really not even close. He was a productive receiver (100 catches the last two seasons combined) and was a willing and capable blocker during his time with the Gamecocks. The issue with Hurst is his age. He's 25 years old after spending time as a baseball prospect in the Pirates' system. Hurst then decided to go to South Carolina and play football. He's a fine prospect, but at 25, probably not worth a first-round pick.
In the middle
Chris Herndon, Miami, 6-4, 245 pounds
Herndon waited his turn behind 2017 first-round pick David Njoku and played well during his senior season for the Hurricanes (40 catches, 447 yards, four TDs). Unfortunately, a knee injury cost him the end of his season and has forced him to rehabilitate instead of train for the NFL draft process. Herndon is a good athlete with pretty reliable hands. He was a decent blocker as well and the 20 reps he put up at the combine shows that he's got decent strength. Herndon would be really intriguing in the middle rounds.
Late-round sleeper(s)
Will Dissly, Washington, 6-4, 267 pounds
A converted defensive end, Dissly's receiving numbers won't blow you away (21 catches, 289 yards, two TDs), but he brings that defensive player edge to his blocking. The Eagles have an intriguing receiving tight end prospect in Billy Brown. Perhaps it would make some sense to select a player like Dissly late to complement the dynamism of Ertz and Brown. Plus, Dissly didn't look totally unnatural catching the football and was a load to bring down after the catch. There could be potential there.
