Expert Opinion: Dallas Goedert’s Profile

South Dakota State tight end Dallas Goedert is one of the top tight ends in this year’s draft. Goedert is 6’5” and 255 lbs. While in high school he played both football and basketball and when he joined South Dakota State, he did so as a walk-on. In 2016 and 2017 he was named a first-team FCS All-American. Goedert’s career totals are 198 receptions for 2,988 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Goedert is an offensive playmaker. He is a good weapon after the catch and has the ability to affect the game at all three levels of short, medium and long passes. He is a consistent and highly productive player, especially in the red zone. Goedert tracks the ball well, which can make him a great target for a less-than-perfectly accurate quarterback. Also, because of his size, it is very hard for defensive backs to tackle him.

One of his issues is his durability. He dealt with some injuries during his college career. Additionally, he was unable to participate in the Senior Bowl or Combine due to injuries sustained during the week of practice for the Senior Bowl. He intends on doing all the drills at his Pro Day, but his inability to do them at the Combine has left questions which is why there is such a large range for where Goedert can get drafted. He is not a very good blocker and has displayed little interest in improving at that skill.

With some work he can put himself into the same area as Travis Kelce and Rob Gronkowski as pass catching tight ends. Goedert can go as high as pick #16 to the Baltimore Ravens and as low as a 2^nd or even 3^rd round pick. Other teams who may look to add him towards the end of the first round include, but are not limited to, the Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints and Jacksonville Jaguars. The Titans could use another weapon for Marcus Mariota, the Saints failed to sign Jimmy Graham, so Goedert could fill that void, and the Jaguars could use Goedert to help in the development of Blake Bortles.

I don’t see a fit for Goedert with the Browns. The last two drafts the Browns have picked a tight end, including David Njoku in the first round of last year’s draft. If they do go after Goedert at the beginning of the 2^nd round it would signify that Seth DeValve’s days with the Browns are numbered.