The Philadelphia Eagles traded up to the 49th overall spot in the second round, one spot ahead of the Dallas Cowboys, and selected South Dakota State tight end Dallas Goedert on Friday.
The Eagles took Goedert knowing the Cowboys might be eyeing a tight end with the No. 50 overall pick as star tight end Jason Witten is contemplating retirement to join ESPN's Monday Night Football broadcast booth, ESPN's Chris Mortensen has reported.
"We wanted to get one of the guys we had from yesterday's list,'' said Howie Roseman, the Eagles' executive vice president of football operations.
The Eagles made the trade with the Indianapolis Colts, who received the 52nd and the 169th picks from Philadelphia.
He was welcomed to the team by Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz.
A fellow Missouri Valley Alum hailing from the lesser Dakota 😏.... @goedert33 welcome to the squad bro! Big things comin. We gotta represent the FCS, MVFC, and the Dakotas well my man. Let's go!
— Carson Wentz (@cj_wentz) April 28, 2018
Goedert is the first player selected by the Eagles in the 2018 draft as Philadelphia traded its first-round pick to the Baltimore Ravens, who selected quarterback Lamar Jackson, on Thursday.
The Eagles had a need at tight end after releasing Brent Celek in March and losing Trey Burton in free agency (signed with the Chicago Bears).
Goedert posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2016 and '17 and had 13 touchdown catches in that time span.
"It's going to add depth and competition to the position,'' coach Doug Pederson said. "He's a tremendous weapon we can utilize. It's exciting to have a pick like this to add.''