5 Potential Targets To Watch For at TE
Philadelphia Eagles starting tight end Dallas Goedert left Sunday’s game due to a knee injury. Goedert was limited to just 19 snaps and never returned to the game. According to multiple reports, Goedert is set to miss multiple weeks due to a sprained MCL. Here’s a closer look at five potential targets to watch for at tight end as the Eagles attempt to replace Goedert.
Zach Ertz, FA
The former Eagles legend is still available the free agent market as he continues to recover from a torn ACL that he suffered on December 7, 2025. While I was adamantly against the idea of signing Ertz, I did mention that it would make sense as a “break glass in case of emergency” option if Goedert got hurt. Well here we are, just two weeks into the regular season, and Goedert is already slated to miss multiple games.
While I’m still worried about Ertz as a blocker, especially coming off a major injury, I understand the veteran’s immediate appeal as a pass catcher. Given the inability of both Johnny Mundt and E.J. Jenkins as pass catchers, it makes sense to take a chance on the 35-year-old, at this point. If the Eagles sign Ertz, it’d make sense to bring in another tight end, especially one that’s a more reliable blocker.
Update: The Eagles are signing Ertz to the team’s practice squad, according to multiple reports.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, CAR
The Eagles currently only have two tight ends under contract for next season, rookie Eli Stowers and Jenkins. Therefore, it’d make sense for Philadelphia to consider adding a tight end with some long-term upside. Carolina Panthers third-year tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders has fallen out of favor this season and has been a healthy inactive in each of the team’s first two games.
The 23-year-old, former fourth-round pick has shown flashes in Carolina at times and could benefit from a change of scenery. While Sanders isn’t exactly a proven blocker, he provides more than enough upside that is worth taking a chance on. I doubt that the Panthers will be asking for much in return and the Eagles already made a deal with Carolina earlier this offseason.
John FitzPatrick, FA
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman hasn’t been afraid to add players that have experience working with Eagles first-year offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. Dontayvion Wicks, Johnny Mundt, Samori Toure and others have each worked with Mannion in the past. Former Green Bay Packers tight end John FitzPatrick could make sense as the next reunion in the City of Brotherly Love.
While FitzPatrick’s stats won’t jump off the page, he’s a massive tight end at 6’7” and 262 lbs. The 26-year-old tight end tore his Achilles last December but was reportedly recently cleared to resume all football activities, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. If the Eagles are desperate for help at tight end — which they clearly are — it makes sense to sign FitzPatrick.
Stone Smartt, NO*
If the Eagles don’t want to over complicate things, they could just simply bring back a player that was already in the building throughout training camp and the preseason. After being released by the Eagles during final cuts, Stone Smartt joined the practice squad of the New Orleans Saints. The 27-year-old obviously wouldn’t be the most exciting addition but he did show flashes throughout the summer in Philadelphia.
Dan Villari, LAR*
Los Angeles Rams tight end Dan Villari signed with the team as an undrafted free agent following the 2026 NFL Draft. As noted in my Eagles meeting tracker, Philadelphia spoke with Villari multiple times throughout the pre-draft process. While Villari didn’t sign with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent, this could be Philadelphia’s chance to poach Villari away from Los Angeles after learning a similar offense from Rams head coach Sean McVay.