Philadelphia Eagles: 3 backups who can make an impact in 2022

3. Grant Calcaterra

Though Grant Calcaterra has almost no chance to actually break into the Philadelphia Eagles’ starting lineup this fall – unless, of course, Nick Sirianni opts to start two tight ends instead of three wide receivers – the Oklahoma-turned-SMU tight end is one of the most important additions to the offense this offseason because his addition unlocks the 12 personal grouping that was the Birds’ offensive bread and butter look from 2016-20.

Now granted, Sirianni wasn’t a member of the Eagles’ coaching staff during that period, but his mentor, Frank Reich, was, at least from 2016-17, and he took that element of Doug Pederson’s offense with him to Indianapolis.

With A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins, and Zach Pascal in place, the Eagles’ offense should be a good bit more versatile than the 2021 iteration, with as many as 10 players catching passes in any given game but fielding an efficient 12-personnel package remains incredibly vital to on-field success, as there are very few teams who can lock down Dallas Goedert one-one-one, let alone DG and a buddy with similar size.

Considering Tyree Jackson is expected to miss much of the season with an ACL injury, Richard Rodgers can’t keep up his on-roster streak forever, and the rest of the team’s options are either unproven UDFAs or converted wide receivers who just switch positions, Calcaterra is the most likely player to step into the need initially filled by Zach Ertz last year and could carve out a very interesting role if he can consistently get open down the field.