Perry's Prototypical Patriots: Which TEs could New England target in draft?
The Patriots have put a newfound emphasis on the tight end position this offseason. They signed Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry in free agency to serve as two key pass-catching weapons for Cam Newton.With last year's third-round picks Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene also in tow, it doesn't look like the Patriots necessarily need a tight end. Still, that won't stop them from adding one to challenge their two younger players.Phil Perry's latest installment in his "Prototypical Patriots" series focuses on the tight end position and which draft day options the Patriots could consider.
Does it look like the Patriots are in the market for a tight end in this year's draft class? Of course not. Does that mean it gets ignored during our Prototypical Patriots series? Of course not.
And let's say this: Crazier things have happened.
If the Patriots take a tight end -- or a fullback, which we'll get to -- on Day 3, you'll want to know who he is and why he has a chance to make the roster. Particularly at a position that has a) two free-agent signees who were given record sums of fully guaranteed money for their position and b) two players drafted in the third round a year ago.
If that happens, we'll have you covered. But before we dig into the names, let's lay out what it is the Patriots like at this spot.
They've drafted 14 tight ends under Bill Belichick, and some trends have emerged. Size, obviously, is important. The "prototype" falls in the 6-foot-4 range and a shade over 250 pounds. Big hands (about 10 inches) are also preferred.
Athleticism matters, too. Quick 40 times (4.7-second range) and three-cone drills (7.0-second range) could help a player find his way onto the Patriots roster, as will legitimate lower-body explosiveness (35-inch vertical or thereabouts).
Most importantly, they want hybrid players who can function as both receivers and blockers. Even if a draftee is not dominant in both categories, the Patriots like players with one definitive strength to be at least adequate in the other area.
It should come as no surprise that both Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene fell squarely into the above categories and made our Prototypical Patriots list in 2020. We'll see if they can show marked improvement in Year 2, and we'll see if anyone in this year's draft class joins them -- or challenges them for a spot -- on the 2021 roster.
6-foot-6, 245 pounds
We can get this one out of the way quickly. He might not be every team's "prototype" as he checks in under 250 pounds, but who cares? His athleticism is off the charts (4.44-second 40, 129-inch broad jump) and his wingspan (83 inches) and hand size (10.5 inches) are rare. Plus, he can be used anywhere on the field.
He's a better receiver than he is a blocker at this point, but he doesn't get enough credit for his work in that second area, according to NFL tight ends coaches. He's more than willing, and he'll only improve as he develops.
Unfortunately for the Patriots, in all likelihood, they won't have a chance to draft him.
6-foot-5, 251 pounds
Freiermuth is recovering from injury this offseason so he was not able to test. That might end up being a blessing in disguise for him because he doesn't look like the most explosive athlete. But based on the on-the-field requirements for the Patriots, he's one of the few who truly fits the mold as a dual-threat player. He has the frame and toughness to play in-line and function as a blocker.
While he won't be stressing defenses vertically all that much at the next level, he is a more than capable receiver who is a load to bring down after the catch. His "Baby Gronk" nickname fit while running through defenders for the Nittany Lions.
6-foot-5, 254 pounds
Like Freiermuth (Merrimac, Mass.), Long is another New Englander (Exeter, NH) who qualifies as one of the best Patriots tight end fits in the class. His 40 time is right where Belichick likes (4.71 seconds), and his broad jump at BC's pro day (122 inches) was indicative of some legitimate lower-body explosiveness. He has almost 10-inch hands that helped him rack up 11 contested catches, per Pro Football Focus, as well as 682 yards as one of the team's go-to options in the passing game.
According to NFL.com's Lance Zierlein, 60 percent of his catches went for first downs last year. Named the top tight end for the National Team at the Senior Bowl, his performance down in Mobile, Ala. will help him inside the walls at One Patriot Place, too. He has the frame to hold up as a blocker but left plenty to be desired in that phase of play with the Eagles.
6-foot-3, 241 pounds
Normally a player this light wouldn't make this list. The Patriots under Belichick have only drafted two tight ends weighing under 250 pounds: Arthur Love and Aaron Hernandez. They have, however, drafted a fullback in 2006 who came in close to Tremble's weight: Garrett Mills (235). This may be Tremble's clearest path to the NFL. Not just because he's a little light. But because he's one of the meanest blockers in this year's draft, regardless of position.
He played in a hybrid H-back type of role for the Fighting Irish so it wouldn't be too much of a transition for him to work out of the backfield as a lead blocker. His hands could use some work, but he has some excellent athleticism for a man of his size (4.60 40, 36.5-inch vertical, 122-inch broad) and might provide a receiving threat at the fullback spot that the Patriots haven't had in recent years.
Patriots tight ends coach Nick Caley got to work with Tremble a bit at Notre Dame's pro day recently, and it makes sense why he'd want to. As a special-teams option and with some fullback versatility, Tremble looks like a Day 3 pick for Belichick.
6-foot-4, 247 pounds
Another Senior Bowl standout, McKitty was named the top tight end for the American team in Mobile. One-handed snags like this one and this one helped. He was also the highest-graded tight end, per PFF, in one-on-ones with linebackers and safeties.
As a blocker in the running game, McKitty was really effective for a Bulldogs' scheme that'll resemble what he'll see on Sundays. The Florida State transfer wasn't able to test at his pro day, but his size is right in line with what the Patriots like, and his massive 11-inch hands are rare. As a Day 3 option, he'd be worth a shot for the Patriots.
6-foot-5, 251 pounds
There simply aren't many 250-pounders coming out of the college ranks who can move. And Farrell can move a bit. His 4.79-second 40 wasn't exactly blazing, but his 36.5-inch vertical and 7.14-second three-cone were within range for the Patriots.
Ohio State simply didn't use their tight end in the passing game -- Farrell finished with five grabs for 37 yards and a touchdown -- but he was still an All-Big Ten honorable mention player. But Farrell showed flashes of having the ability to make contested catches in the red zone, and he takes his blocking seriously.
6-foot-7, 245 pounds
OK. Let's be honest. Davidson's coming from the Division 2 level. He's really light for someone with his height. And he's only played tight end for a year and a half.
So why on earth is he included here? He's a punter. And a good one. Seriously. In 2019, he was named an All-American punter and tight end. He didn't get a shot to play in 2020 -- COVID wiped out the season -- but he showed at Missouri's pro day that he's an NFL-caliber athlete with a 4.62-second 40, a 37.5-inch vertical and a 6.95-second three-cone time. His vertical would've been the best for a tight end at last year's combine, and his 40 and three-cone time would've ranked second. Those are wildly impressive numbers for someone who's as tall as Davidson is.
If he could put on a few more pounds, and if he takes to coaching at the next level, he could be the ultimate unmolded ball of clay at tight end for a team. And if that team is the Patriots, they'd also suddenly have an emergency backup for All-Pro punter Jake Bailey. The more you can do...
6-foot-5, 250 pounds
Bates checked in at his pro day almost 10 pounds lighter than he was at the Senior Bowl. Was that done in an effort to run a quicker 40 time? He ended up running a 4.80, which is nothing to get overly excited about. But his three-cone time (6.85 seconds) and broad jump (120 inches) were eyebrow raisers.
If he can maintain that type of explosion and quickness at closer to 260 pounds? Then we're talking about maybe one of the best fits in the draft for the Patriots.
A three-year starter for Boise, he's a menace as a blocker -- his tape has moments where he's just burying people -- and he can do enough as a receiver to warrant Belichick's consideration.
6-foot-7, 268 pounds
Back in 2011, the Patriots took two players in the fifth round: Marcus Cannon and Lee Smith. Cannon is still going, though he's now with the Texans. Smith nearly hung 'em up this offseason, before deciding to continue his long career as a highly-effective blocking tight end with the Atlanta Falcons.
Could that be Soehner's future? He has the size for it. And the demeanor? Yup. His demeanor shouldn't be an issue. If Belichick is looking for a beefy blocker to occasionally chip in alongside Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, maybe Soehner is his guy. He might not be a dynamic receiver, but he flashed dependable hands last season having hauled in 18 passes for 205 yards.
6-foot-4, 247 pounds
Hard to ignore the athleticism here. Stoll clocked a 4.68-second 40 time and a whip quick 6.86-second three-cone drill. He's a tad undersized for the Patriots, and he battled injuries last season for the Cornhuskers. But he was durable throughout his career, making 25 consecutive starts from the time he was a sophomore.
He was a Big 10 Distinguished Scholar in 2020 and an Academic All-Big 10 for all four years he was with Nebraska. His production won't wow anyone -- 61 career catches for 657 yards and six scores -- but his size, athleticism, toughness and intelligence could earn him a shot at the Patriots roster this summer.
6-foot-3, 247 pounds
Jordan's 4.69-second 40 was enough to confirm his speed, for someone at his position, is legit. That comes across on tape, as does his ability to shake free from would-be tacklers. PFF counted 21 broken tackles for Jordan on 105 career catches, and he finished 2020 with 38 grabs for 576 yards and seven scores.
From a Patriots perspective, if they're looking at Jordan as a "move" option with some positional versatility, do they think he can hold up as a blocker on the edge? That's kind of a requirement, and it wasn't something Jordan did all that often for the Canes.
6-foot-4, 250 pounds
Racking up 524 yards and six touchdowns on 27 catches (19.4 yards per catch) in the SEC? Worthy of our attention. Yeboah injured himself running his 40 -- not ideal -- but he's considered to have good speed. He held his own as a blocker down at the Senior Bowl, but there are questions as to just how effective he'll be in that role at the next level.
6-foot-5, 244 pounds
Only caught 23 passes for 253 yards and a touchdown last season, but we can't in good conscience leave a two-year starter from Alabama off this list. Particularly when he recorded a 35-inch vertical and a 7.01-second three-cone drill at 'Bama's pro day. He's undersized, and he might be an undrafted free agent signee, but he has just enough going for him to make it onto this list.
