Eagles Stay or Go 2022: Which tight ends will be back?

Reuben Frank and Dave Zangaro bring back Stay or Go in 2022, trying to figure out the futures of every Eagles player on the roster.

We already looked at receivers, cornerbacks, running backs, linebackers, defensive tackles, interior offensive line, specialists, offensive tackles and defensive ends.

Up today: Tight ends.

Jason Croom

Roob: Croom is one of eight players in franchise history with one reception as an Eagle, and it went for a touchdown. Among the others are Lane Johnson, Brian Dawkins and two Burlington County products – Willingboro’s Marvin Hargrove in 1990 and Cinnaminson’s Topper Clemons during a 1987 strike game. So he’s the answer to a pretty good trivia question. And I wouldn’t expect that to change.

Verdict: Goes

Dave: The veteran Croom spent all season on IR with a torn ACL suffered in August. Even before then, he was a long shot to make the roster.

Verdict: Goes

Dallas Goedert

Roob: I’m predicting 78 catches for 1,014 yards and seven TDs next year for Goedert and a trip to the Pro Bowl. He’s already in the very good category, and I expect him to make the jump to elite in 2022.

Verdict: Stays

Dave: After the Eagles traded Zach Ertz in October, Dallas Goedert showed why he deserves to be looked at as a true No. 1 tight end in the NFL. He’s always been a great blocker but he’s still just scratching the surface as a top receiving target. He averaged 61.4 yards per game in the 10 regular season games after the Ertz trade, which is a 1,000+ yard pace over a 17-game season. And in the playoffs, he had 6 catches for 92 yards. The Eagles paid him like a top tight end this past season, giving him a four-year, $57 million contract. Something tells me he’s going to be worth every penny of that.

Verdict: Stays

Tyree Jackson

Roob: The Eagles liked the converted college QB enough to keep him on the 53 with final cuts this past year even knowing he would miss the first half of the season with a back injury. And there’s a lot to like with his size and toughness. He’s got a ways to go to really become part of the rotation, and he’s got to stay healthy, but he really is an intriguing prospect.

Verdict: Stays

Dave: It was a shame to see Jackson go down late in the season with a torn ACL on Jan. 9. He had surgery and is now recovering. But with how late this injury happened, the timeline is tricky and Jackson is going to miss valuable practice time as he continues his transition from QB to TE. I think there’s a chance the Eagles keep him on PUP to start the season, which means he won’t be on the active roster. I think he sticks around in Philly but not on the 53-man roster to start the season.

Verdict: Goes

Richard Rodgers

Roob: Whenever the Eagles need a tight end, Rodgers is a phone call away. He’s been here off and on for four years and at some point in 2022 he’ll probably show up either on the practice squad or 53-man roster to help out. You know what you’re going to get from Rodgers. He’s a professional tight end who’s been in the NFL for nine years now. And did you know his grandfather was Clyde Mashore, who played for the Expos in the early 1970s?

Verdict: Goes

Dave: The Eagles just can’t seem to quit Richard Rodgers. The Eagles brought him back to the practice squad in October for this third stint with the team and then signed him to the active roster for the playoff game after Jackson’s injury. Rodgers will be in camp and maybe he has a small shot to make the roster. But I don’t see it happening. After that, he’ll still just be a call away.

Verdict: Goes

Jack Stoll

Roob: Stoll played a ton of snaps once the Eagles began running the ball a ton in the second half of the season, and the Eagles love his blocking ability. Ultimately, if the Eagles want to grow their passing game, I think TE2 is going to have to be a better receiver than either Stoll or Jackson. Maybe one of them can develop into a 30-catch type of guy. But my hunch is Stoll starts out next year on the practice squad, and TE2 is someone who’s not currently on the roster.

Verdict: Goes

Dave: When we talk about the Eagles’ draft class of 2021, don’t forget about Stoll, the UDFA from Nebraska. While he caught just four passes for 22 yards, Stoll was a very solid blocker and ended up playing 331 snaps (30%) on offense this season. He played the most of any player you never thought about in 2021. The Eagles could look to improve that No. 2 tight end spot, but Stoll isn’t a bad option to keep around. He didn’t catch the ball in games but looked solid enough in that area during training camp. He might be able to develop more.

Verdict: Stays

Noah Togiai

Roob: Togiai is still in the project stage two years into his career as an undrafted free agent out of Oregon State. Barring a huge leap forward in training camp it’s hard to imagine where he fits in.

Verdict: Goes

Dave: The Eagles really like Togiai a couple years ago when they signed him as a UDFA from Oregon State but they released him at final cuts and he ended up in Indianapolis. He came back to the Eagles on the practice squad in October and then signed a futures deal after the season. He’ll likely be in training camp but don’t expect much beyond that.

Verdict: Goes