3 backup tight ends the Philadelphia Eagles should sign in free agency

Jan 9, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox (81) reacts after catching a pass against Buffalo Bills strong safety Micah Hyde (23) and free safety Jordan Poyer (21) during the first half in the AFC Wild Card game at Bills Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox (81) reacts after catching a pass against Buffalo Bills strong safety Micah Hyde (23) and free safety Jordan Poyer (21) during the first half in the AFC Wild Card game at Bills Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Zach Ertz hasn’t been released/traded yet, but it’s definitely going to happen at some point over the coming days. The franchise legend has made it abundantly clear that he thinks his career with the Philadelphia Eagles is over, and one can only assume that the team would prefer to shed his $8+ million salary.

With that in mind, the Eagles are going to need to add themselves some tight end depth this offseason. Unless they’re planning on drafting Florida’s Kyle Pitts sixth overall, bringing in another TE to use behind Dallas Goedert this offseason makes a plethora of sense.

The Philadelphia Eagles need a serviceable TE2.

Three names really stick out to me when looking at the current free agent pool:

Mo Alie-Cox

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2020 Team: Indianapolis Colts

The first name on this list is coming off a career year with the Colts under Nick Sirianni, and likely isn’t going to have a very serious market this offseason. Not only will his relationship with the Eagles new head coach help the team out during negotiations, but his projected cheap asking price falls in line with the type of player Philly will be targeting in free agency.

After two years of limited targets with the Colts, Mo Alie-Cox burst onto the scene in 2020, establishing himself as a legitimate rotational tight end. The third-year pro caught 31 passes for 394 yards, while also chipping in two receiving touchdowns.

Alie-Cox is an above average athlete who can stretch the field quite a bit compared to most TEs. His career yards per reception rate is 13.5, which is actually higher than the likes of Goedert by just over two yards.

He’s obviously no Zach Ertz, but Alie-Cox’s vertical speed could prove useful as the Eagles attempt to be far more explosive offensively moving forward.