Latest news with #GrantCalcaterra
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
One Eagles roster spot and the five tight ends fighting to claim it
Only three will survive a seven-man race for three Eagles roster spots. This is what it's all about. There's that thin line that separates competition and teamwork. 90 guys share the Philadelphia Eagles' locker room. Only 68 will remain on the active roster and practice squad after the final preseason game. Laekin Vakalahi will, more than likely, again be carried on Philadelphia's scout team. His entry to the league through the NFL's International Players Pathway Program means he won't count against the Eagles' allowable 16 practice squad players. The tight end position currently has seven players on the roster. Historically, Philadelphia typically keeps three tight ends on the active roster, but there have been instances in the past when they chose to keep even fewer. This brings us to the players who will participate in training camp. Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcaterra feel like shoo-ins to make the Eagles roster It seems unlikely that Dallas Goedert will remain with the Eagles past next March, given how the two sides were so close to parting ways this past offseason. As you know, he has returned. It's often hard to make guarantees about roster spots, especially at this time of year, but most of us have resigned ourselves to an idea. Goedert is making the Eagles roster as a starter, and Grant Calcaterra is making the squad as his backup. That leaves the door open for one more guy. There's just one issue. Five guys want that one spot. Five Eagles fighting for one position on the roster As mentioned earlier, we've seen Philadelphia announce its initial 53-man roster with only two tight ends present. They could make a similar decision this year. There are no guarantees that they will like any of these guys, but if they can find one, he'll have to beat out four other prospects. Kylen Granson was a two-year starter at the tight end position in college, but he also has some experience playing wide receiver at the NCAA level. A fourth-round selection, this 27-year-old has the tools to be a decent third option. This is Harrison Bryant's third team since entering the NFL in 2020. Also a fourth-rounder and also 27 years old, he was a member of the 2020 Pro Football Writers Association's All-Rookie Team. E.J. Jenkins is one of the most familiar faces on this list. He had some nice showings during preseason games last August. His only reception last season was a big one. It went for a TD. Can his familiarity give him a leg up on the competition? Nick Muse is the big-bodied target the Eagles are seemingly searching for every few months. He stands at six-foot-five and tips the scales at 252 pounds. He, like Jenkins, is the owner of one career catch, but Muse hasn't hauled in a reception since 2023. Cameron Latu is another of the new guys. He should fit in well, as there are other former Alabama Crimson Tide standouts on the Eagles' roster. He's a College Football Playoff National Champion. He signed a future/reserve deal in January, but he has a tough hill to climb if he is going to catapult himself onto their roster. Prediction (This may change in a few days): We'll throw a curveball here. Philadelphia keeps two tight ends on the initial 53-man roster. They try to sneak one, possibly Jenkins, through waivers and sign him to the practice squad.
USA Today
23-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Stat experts reveal a 2026 draft need the Eagles can't afford to ignore
PFF sounds a silent alarm pulling a curtain back on a possible Eagles draft plan. We have seen quite the offseason. The Philadelphia Eagles hosted their second Super Bowl victory parade. Then came another scouting combine, Top 30 Visits, Pro Days, and an NFL Draft. That brought us to a rookie minicamp, OTAs, and a one-day mandatory minicamp. We have learned a great deal, but Philadelphia still has a ways to go and more work to do before Week 1 of the regular season. Training camp begins on July 22. In the meantime, no stone will be left unturned in terms of roster discussions and all things related to the Birds. Pro Football Focus offered something notable as they hit the fast-forward button to present some interesting, albeit early, theories about the 2026 NFL Draft. PFF sheds some light on possible Eagles 2026 draft concerns. Philadelphia's roster is stacked, but don't tell Howie Roseman that. He is always on the hunt for more talent. Pro Football Focus offered an interesting take: one area every NFL team needs to think about during the 2025 NFL Draft. Their theory about the Birds is a reasonable one. Philadelphia will need to address the tight end position. Trevor Sikkema, the writer of this one, adds some perspective: "The Eagles have the best roster in the NFL once again, even after losing Milton Williams, Darius Slay, and Josh Sweat this offseason. When looking forward, tight end Dallas Goedert is an unrestricted free agent next offseason, as is TE2 Grant Calcaterra. The 2026 tight end class isn't overly strong, but Philadelphia might need one or two regardless." It makes a lot of sense. Keep a couple of things in mind. The first is this. Despite making the wise decision and bringing Dallas Goedert back to play out the final season of his current deal, it's doubtful (although not impossible) that he'll be retained with an extension next offseason. Also, Philadelphia hasn't taken a tight end in any NFL Draft since Calcaterra was a sixth-round selection. It may be time to retool. The Eagles have enjoyed a nice streak of finding great players at the position: Brent Celek, Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, and Grant Calcaterra. They've discovered some good players at the position by way of the selection meeting. Might another great Eagle be found next April? That would be a nice step forward in finding a succession plan for two Birds who have certainly earned their wings. Philadelphia has to begin thinking about some of their young defenders (Reed Blankenship, Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, and Nolan Smith, for example), and there isn't enough money to go around.
USA Today
14-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Grant Calcaterra does the Stone Cold beer smash at Eagles Super Bowl Parade
Grant Calcaterra had a solid 2024 NFL season, and his growth as a backup tight end behind an injured Dallas Goedert played a massive role in the Eagles advancing to the Super Bowl. Calcaterra was one of the millions in Philadelphia enjoying themselves at the championship parade, and the talented tight end had the first viral moment of the day, doing the Stone Cold beer smash while rolling down Broad Street. Grant Calcaterra, born for this moment: — EJ Smith (@EJSmith94) February 14, 2025 In what can only be described as a beatdown, the Eagles exacted revenge on the Chiefs, winning Super Bowl LIX in dominant fashion, 40-22. The city of Philadelphia anticipated over 1,000,000 fans. The parade route started in South Philadelphia at Lincoln Financial Field, worked through the broad street along the Parkway, and then proceeded to the museum's steps.
