The Philadelphia Eagles report to the Jefferson Health Training Complex for the start of 2026 Training Camp on Tuesday, July 28th. Over the next few weeks, PhiladelphiaEagles.com will get you ready by previewing the top storylines at each position. Today, a look at the tight end room that includes a top draft pick.
Did you know?
Dallas Goedert is the Eagles' all-time leader in playoff receptions with 52.
Returning Starter
As has been the norm for five seasons, Goedert enters another Eagles Training Camp as the No.1 tight end. The 2018 second-round pick by the Eagles had another productive season in 2025, netting a career-high regular season receptions (60) for 591 yards and 11 touchdowns, with an additional postseason touchdown.
Goedert and his 11 touchdowns made history in 2025, setting the Eagles record for touchdown receptions by a tight end in a season, passing Pete Rezclaff who set the previous record of 10 back in 1965. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound weapon broke the 60-year-old record on a 1-yard touchdown catch against Buffalo in Week 17.
While Goedert is a reliable safety valve for Jalen Hurts, he is a major threat in the Eagles' passing game. The former South Dakata State Jackrabbit ranks third among NFL tight ends since 2021 in yards after the catch per reception with 5.9, only behind Jonnu Smith and George Kittle.
In the Mix
Grant Calcaterra is the only other tight end entering Training Camp who made the Eagles' initial 53-man roster in 2025. Calcaterra enters his fifth year with the Eagles having been drafted by the franchise in 2022. A member of the 2022 NFC Champion and the Super Bowl LIX Champion squads, the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Calcaterra has 42 receptions for 494 yards and two touchdowns over 62 regular-season games (22 starts).
Since joining Philadelphia, the former SMU Mustang has served as the second or third tight end option behind Goedert. Frequently used in two-TE sets, Calcaterra took part in 36 percent of the offensive snaps last season.
Cameron Latu also played for the Eagles last season after being called up from the practice squad in September. The University of Alabama product was a third-round pick in 2023 by the 49ers but missed his rookie season after tearing his meniscus during the preseason. Latu appeared in 26 games for the Crimson Tide, recording 787 yards and 12 touchdowns. The tight end was also part of Alabama's 2020 CFB National Championship squad.
Latu was waived before the 2024 season, joining the Cleveland Browns practice squad. Heading into 2025, Latu signed a reserve/futures contract with the Eagles. The 6-foot-5, 244-pound tight end made an impact on special teams last year, blocking a punt that was returned by a teammate for a touchdown against the Buccaneers. He will compete for a larger role in the Eagles' offense this Training Camp after being used as a fullback last year in certain packages.
E.J. Jenkins is another tight end entering Training Camp who spent time on the Eagles' practice squad last year. During his college career, Jenkins played for St. Francis (PA), South Carolina, and Georgia Tech. After originally being signed as an undrafted free agent by the Jets in 2023, Jenkins found his way to both the Eagles' practice squad and active roster.
In the Eagles' 2024 Super Bowl campaign, the 6-foot-6 target played in eight regular-season and four postseason contests for the Eagles. Jenkins was primarily utilized on the Eagles' practice squad in 2025 and is coming off some good momentum entering Training Camp, having frequently made plays in June's minicamp.
New to the Nest
The Eagles used their second-round pick of the 2026 NFL Draft to bring in Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers. The uber-athletic receiving weapon ran a 4.51 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine while measuring at 6-foot-4 and 239 pounds. Stowers' vertical jump was recorded at 45.5 inches, the highest ever by a tight end in combine history and the second highest by any player since 2003.
Stowers spent his first two years of college football at Texas A&M as a quarterback, but transferred to New Mexico State in 2023. The Texas native quickly became one of the best tight ends in college football when he moved to Vanderbilt in 2024, being coached by former Eagle Jordan Mathews.
In his two seasons in Nashville, Stowers accumulated more than 1,400 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. Stowers was awarded the John Mackey Award (given to college football's best tight end), the William V. Campbell Trophy (often referred to as the "Academic Heisman"), and was a unanimous All-American in 2025.
Stowers isn't the only rookie tight end entering Training Camp. The Eagles signed Mississippi's Dae'Quan Wright as a UDFA. The 22-year-old had 113 receptions for 1,603 yards and nine touchdowns through his four years in college, spending the first two at Virginia Tech before transferring to Ole Miss.
Wright's most productive year came in his senior season when the 6-foot-4, 246-pound tight end recorded 635 receiving yards for five touchdowns. Now, he will be hoping to compete for a roster spot.
The Eagles also added experience at the position in free agency in Johnny Mundt out of Jacksonville. The veteran tight end enters his ninth year in the league and fourth team. Undrafted out of Oregon in 2017, Mundt was a member of the 2021 Rams that won Super Bowl LVI.
Mundt is known for his blocking ability, playing in 34 percent of the Jaguars' offensive snaps in 2025, recording nine receptions for 111 yards. His usage in formations will be something to watch in Training Camp given his skill set compared to other tight ends on the roster.
The Eagles also signed Stone Smartt in free agency. Signed as a 2022 UDFA out of Old Dominion, Smartt spent his first three years in the NFL with the Chargers before spending 2025 with the Jets.
Smartt started his college career playing quarterback, eventually switching to wide receiver during his time at Old Dominion. Once signed by Los Angeles, Smartt converted to tight end and played on both offense and special teams.
Through his four years in the NFL, the 6-foot-4, 226-pound tight end has recorded 38 catches for 432 yards and one touchdown.
Bird Call
Dallas Goedert: "Keep building, keep growing and evolving. That's how you stay ahead in this game."
Storylines to Follow
What will the Eagles' offense look like with two pass-catching tight ends on the field with Goedert and Stowers? ... Who will win the TE2 and TE3 spots? ... With a new offensive scheme, what will in-line blocking look like with the Eagles' tight ends? ... Will either of the two former practice squad tight ends (Latu and Jenkins) make a case for the initial 53-man roster? ...What will the rotation look like in two tight end-sets?
How Many Made the Initial 53 in 2025: 3
- Written by Caroline Connor
