Dallas Goedert's Future in Philly: What the 2026 Mock Drafts Are Telling Us

Eagles Nation, let's get straight down to business: the 2026 NFL close season is already hotting up, and the name on everyone's lips—aside from maybe Howie Roseman's—is Dallas Goedert. You've seen the mock drafts, you've heard the whispers about the salary cap, and you're wondering whether number 88 will still be running those seam routes in midnight green come September. Take it from me, you're not the only one asking.

The Mock Draft Smoke: Kenyon Sadiq to Philly?

If you've been flicking through the latest first-round projections, you've probably spotted Idaho's Kenyon Sadiq landing in Philadelphia with the 23rd overall pick. Now, I've been around the block long enough to know that mock drafts are often more fiction than fact, but when a tight end keeps popping up for a team that's already got a Pro Bowl-calibre one, it's time to sit up and take notice. Sadiq is a raw but explosive athlete—the kind of chess piece that makes offensive coordinators go weak at the knees. But here's the thing: why would the Eagles splash a first-rounder on a position where they've already got an established star like Dallas Goedert? That's the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question, and the answer might have more to do with the salary cap than Sadiq's 40-yard dash time.

The Cap Crunch: Can They Afford Both?

Word around the NovaCare Complex is that the Eagles are walking a financial tightrope. With A.J. Brown commanding top-five receiver money and Devonta Smith due his own payday, the chequebook is being stretched. Insiders have been suggesting that Philadelphia simply can't afford to keep both Brown and Dallas Goedert at their current cap numbers. Goedert, who turns 31 this year, is entering the final phase of his deal, and while his output has been excellent—he's been a top-eight tight end for yards per game since 2022—the front office has to decide whether ploughing big money into a tight end in his 30s is the wisest use of resources, particularly when you've got a young quarterback on a rookie deal who needs weapons around him.

• Red-zone dominance: Goedert's size and body control make him an absolute nightmare inside the 20—something the offence would miss desperately.
• Cap hit for 2026: He's currently down to count nearly $12 million against the cap, a figure that could be massaged with a restructure or extension.
• Draft capital: If they do go for Sadiq, it signals a long-term view, potentially grooming him as the heir apparent.

Goedert's Place in Eagles History

Let's not beat about the bush—Dallas Goedert has been a rock since arriving as a second-round pick in 2018. He's weathered quarterback changes, offensive coordinators, and even played through injuries that would have most mere mortals reaching for the sidelines. Remember that playoff run a couple of years back? The bloke was virtually uncoverable. He's earned the right to be mentioned alongside the franchise's finest tight ends. But in the NFL, sentimentality doesn't win roster battles—the cap does. If Roseman spots a chance to get younger and cheaper at the position, while also freeing up room to tie down someone like Milton Williams or bring in a pass-rusher, he'll pull the trigger. That's just how he works.

What Happens Next? Three Possible Outcomes

So where does that leave Dallas Goedert? I can see three paths, and they all depend on how the board falls on draft night.

Scenario A: They keep him and draft a project. Maybe they take Sadiq or another tight end in the middle rounds, let him learn his trade behind Goedert for a year, and then take stock. This keeps the offence intact for 2026 and plans for the future.

Scenario B: They trade him during the draft. If a team misses out on a top tight end prospect, Goedert's name could surface in trade talks. He'd fetch a decent return—likely a Day 2 pick—and clear significant cap space. Teams like the Chargers or Bengals, who are in win-now mode, might come calling.

Scenario C: Restructure and run it back. The Eagles could approach Goedert about a pay cut or an extension that lowers his 2026 hit. He's been a team player from day one, so it's not out of the question. But would he take less when he knows he can still produce at a high level?

The Bottom Line

One thing's for certain: Dallas Goedert isn't finished yet. Whether he's hauling in passes from Jalen Hurts or someone else, he's got plenty of football left in him. But the combination of a deep tight end draft class, Philly's cap constraints, and that number 23 pick means his name will stay in the rumour mill until the commissioner calls it a night on day one. Eagles fans, strap yourselves in—this off-season just got a whole lot more interesting.