Grading the Eagles at the quarter pole: Tight end edition

Zach Ertz has not yet had the breakout season many anticipated.
Brynn Anderson/AP

Continuing on with our "quarter pole" grades, we'll cover the tight ends, which is something opposing defenses haven't have much trouble doing this season. In case you missed the first installment of this series, we graded out Sam Bradford and the running backs earlier today:

    • Quarterback grades
    • Running back grades

Onto the tight ends:

Zach Ertz

Many were expecting Ertz to break out this season, especially early in camp when he dominated in practices. But then a sports hernia derailed his preseason, although he was able to return in time for the Week 1 game in Atlanta. Ertz's numbers are unimpressive.

Zach Ertz Rec Yards YPC TD 
Falcons46 15.3 
 Cowboys17 5.7 
 Jets30 15.0 
 Redskins11 5.5 
 TOTAL10 104 10.4 


Ertz's 104 receiving yards put him at 26th among tight ends. Only three of his 10 receptions have moved the chains. Worse, Ertz's 10 receptions have come on 19 targets (a bad percentage), one of which glanced off Ertz's hands and into the arms of a Dallas defender, which essentially sealed the game Week 2. It's difficult to say how much Ertz's injury has affected him so far, but clearly he is a player the Eagles need to step up and make some plays.

Brent Celek

Celek has not blocked well in the run game, and he has two receptions this season. We've posted this here numerous times, so apologies for the redundancy, but Celek's numbers have declined in each of the last four years.

 Brent CelekCatches Yards First downs 
 2011 62 811 35 
 201257684 32 
 2013 32 502 22 
 2014 32 340 16 


Celek counts for $5 million against the cap next season. That is an unjustifiable figure.

Trey Burton

Burton is tied for fifth in the NFL in special teams tackles. Clearly, he's on the punt cover team.

Overall tight end grade: C-


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