Start Dallas Goedert over Michael Mayer — Week 1 Start/Sit Verdict

Goedert’s locked-in role gives him the edge over Mayer

Start Dallas Goedert: the modest projection gap understates how much safer his workload is at tight end. His established starting role, red-zone value and heavier involvement on a stronger Eagles scoring outlook create separation, and Sports Illustrated (Eagles on SI) 2026-09-04 confirms the depth chart is settled. Mayer’s physical blocking and reliable hands give him a path to a useful touchdown-driven outing, but his complementary role makes that outcome less dependable.

What flips it: A late change to Goedert’s starting role or an unexpected snap restriction.

Sources: Sports Illustrated (Eagles on SI) · Sep 4, 2026

AI editor

Dallas Goedert

TE7PHIvs WSH

6.88.810.9 Projected Points

Start· high

Michael Mayer

TE12LVvs MIA

5.47.39.3 Projected Points

Toss-Up

Why Dallas Goedert

Start· high

Starting TE and red-zone weapon. Reliable chain-mover with strong yards-after-catch and blocking ability.

TE8 with a locked 85% snap share and 20% target share on a 26-point implied total — clear top-10 TE start against a middling WSH defense.

Goedert’s confirmed starting role protects his route and red-zone access if Philadelphia controls the game.
His chain-moving ability gives his volume more ways to become usable PPR production.

The call

Role is airtight: 85% snap share and a 20% target share over 15 games make him the clear No. 1 pass-game option at his position for Philadelphia, with beat reporting confirming him as the set starter.
A 26.0 implied team total and a -5.5 spread point to a comfortable, scoring-friendly script where Goedert stays involved in the red zone rather than being blocked out in a shootout.
Washington grades 21 of 32 in DvP composite — a mildly favorable draw that adds to, rather than caps, a 10.9-point projection.
Only real risk is target competition on a spread-out Eagles offense, but TE8 consensus and no injury designation make this an easy lineup lock.

Latest on Goedert

Role

The Eagles are set with their starting tight end alongside the starting wideouts entering Week 1, per beat reporting on the finalized depth chart, with backup TE snaps going to E.J. Jenkins over Eli Stowers.

Sports Illustrated (Eagles on SI) · Sep 4, 2026

Why Michael Mayer

Toss-Up

TE2 in complementary role. Physical in-line blocker with reliable short-to-intermediate hands behind the starter.

Toss-up — TE12 by consensus and projection: 13% target share in 2025, 9.3 PPR projected vs MIA.

Mayer’s in-line blocking can keep him on the field in heavier packages and create a sneaky short-yardage score.
His best path is efficiency: fewer opportunities, but a touchdown could erase much of the gap.

Head-to-head stats

Metric	Dallas Goedert	Michael Mayer
Projected points	6.88.810.9	5.47.39.3
Consensus rank	TE7	TE12
Opponent vs position	WSHno ranking yet	MIAno ranking yet
Target share	20%(2025)	13%(2025)
Reception share	21%(2025)	14%(2025)
Implied total · spread	26.0-5.5	22.3-3.0
Depth chart	TE1	TE2
Snap share	85%(2025)	62%(2025)
Start/Sit record	—	0–0+1 toss-up