Dallas Goedert

Dallas Clayton Goedert (born January 3, 1995) is an American football tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at South Dakota State, and was drafted by the Eagles in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Early years
Goedert attended Britton-Hecla High School in Britton, South Dakota. He played football, soccer, and basketball for the Braves athletic teams in high school. Goedert's father, a huge Dallas Cowboys fan, named Goedert after the team.

College career
Goedert joined South Dakota State University as a walk-on and was with the Jackrabbits from 2013 (he was redshirted as a freshman) to 2017. During his career, Goedert had 198 receptions for 2,988 yards and 21 touchdowns, including two straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons. He started all 14 games in his senior season and was a team captain, totaling 72 catches for 1,111 yards receiving and seven touchdowns. Goedert's collegiate career at South Dakota State saw him as a two-time first-team Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) All-American, and Goedert was a finalist in 2016 for the Walter Payton Award, which recognizes the top player in the FCS. At the end of the 2017 season, Goedert accepted an invitation to play in the 2018 Senior Bowl. However, he was injured during practice and withdrew from the game.

2018
The Philadelphia Eagles selected Goedert in the second round (49th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. The Eagles traded their second (52nd overall) and fifth round picks (169th overall) to the Indianapolis Colts in order to move up in the second round, ahead of the Cowboys (50th overall), to draft Goedert. It was speculated by draft analysts that the Cowboys were going to possibly draft Goedert as they were in need of a tight end following the retirement of veterans Jason Witten and James Hanna. Goedert was the third tight end drafted in 2018 and was selected as a replacement for Brent Celek, whom the Eagles released on March 13, 2018. On May 9, 2018, the Eagles signed Goedert to a four-year, $5.62 million contract that includes $2.90 guaranteed and a signing bonus of $2.17 million. Goedert made his NFL debut in the season-opener against the Atlanta Falcons. In the 18–12 victory, he had a single reception for four yards. Two weeks later against the Indianapolis Colts, Goedert scored his first career touchdown, a 13-yard reception from Carson Wentz. The touchdown as part of a seven-reception, 73-yard performance for Goedert. He scored a receiving touchdown in both Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers and Week 8 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Goedert finished his rookie season with 33 receptions for 334 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games and eight starts. In the Wild Card Round of the playoffs against the Chicago Bears, Goedert caught a 10-yard pass in the end zone from Eagles quarterback Nick Foles. The touchdown gave the Eagles a 10–6 lead, on their way to an upset 16–15 road victory. Goedert also made a good play in catching a low pass, breaking a tackle, and running for a first down on another 10-yard reception, during the Eagles' winning touchdown drive.

2019
During a Week 16 17–9 victory over the Cowboys, Goedert recorded a career high nine receptions for a career-high 91 yards and was nominated for PFF NFL Week 16 Team of the Week. In a must-win Week 17 matchup against the New York Giants, Goedert contributed to a 34–17 road victory after recording four receptions for 65 yards, clinching the NFC East title for the second time within three seasons.

Goedert finished his second professional season with 58 receptions for 607 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games and nine starts. In the Wild Card Round against the Seattle Seahawks, Goedert recorded seven receptions for 76 yards during a 17–9 loss.

2020
Goedert was assaulted in a South Dakota bar on June 22, 2020, and briefly received treatment at a hospital.

In the season-opening loss to the Washington Football Team, Goedert had eight receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown. Two weeks later, he suffered an ankle injury and was placed on injured reserve on September 29, 2020. Goedert was activated on October 31, 2020.

In the 2020 season, Goedert had 46 receptions for 524 yards and three touchdowns.

2021
Goedert took over as the Eagles TE1 following the trade of Zach Ertz in October. On November 19, 2021, Goedert signed a four-year, $57 million dollar extension with the Philadelphia Eagles, with $35 million guaranteed. He was placed on the COVID list on January 3, 2022. In Week 13, he had six receptions for 105 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in the 33–18 victory over the New York Jets. In Week 15, he had seven receptions for 135 receiving yards in the 27–17 victory over the Washington Football Team.

Goedert finished the 2021 season with 56 receptions for 830 yards and four touchdowns in 15 games and 14 starts. He was activated a week later on January 10, missing just one game where the Eagles did not play their starters.

2022
Goedert was placed on injured reserve on November 16, 2022, after suffering a shoulder injury as a result of a facemask penalty that went uncalled. He was activated on December 20. Goedert finished the 2022 season with 55 receptions for 702 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games and starts.

Goedert scored a receiving touchdown in the Divisional Round victory over the Giants. Goedert reached Super Bowl LVII where he had six catches for 60 yards, but the Eagles lost 38–35 to the Kansas City Chiefs.