The NFL’s 11 best tight ends

Sure this comes down to George Kittle versus Travis Kelce, but who are some of the other top tight ends in the league today?

7. Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles

(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Dallas Goedert was another darling of the #DraftTwitter community, coming out of South Dakota State at the FCS level. Unlike some tight ends, who struggle to acclimate to life in the NFL as a rookie, Goedert was able to contribute immediately during the 2018 campaign. In his first season Goedert was targeted 46 times, catching 35 of those passes for 354 yards and five touchdowns.

His numbers took a big jump last season, as he was targeted 86 times for 65 receptions. He turned those 65 catches into 680 yards receiving and another five touchdowns. Over his two seasons in the NFL, Eagles’ passers have a quarterback rating of 107.3 when targeting him in the passing game, a not too shabby number.

Along with Zach Ertz, Goedert gives the Eagles a tremendous 1-2 punch at the position, that enables the organization to rely heavily on 12 offensive personnel. This touchdown against the Green Bay Packers is a prime example of how this puts pressure on the opposition:

The Eagles break the huddle using 12 offensive personnel, but align both tight ends in the slot. Ertz is in the left slot while Goedert is in the right slot. The defense is forced to make some tough choices, and it results in reserve safety Will Redmond matching up with Goedert. But look at the route the TE runs, a quick slant, but he threatens the outside frame of the defender, getting Redmond to flash his hips open for an instant, but that is exactly when Goedert cuts under him and crosses the defender’s face. This route-running ability is what makes Goedert so dangerous.