Bill Belichick has always wanted to play in 12 personnel (2TE’s, 2WR’s, 1 RB) Going back to his days with the Giants and the Browns, Belichick sees the value in the personnel grouping. He knows from a defensive standpoint, it is tough to match up against.

Throughout his tenure in New England, Belichick has tried to upgrade the position so that the Patriots can play in 12 personnel as much as possible.

Part of the reason he hired Bill O’Brien back is his success with utilizing 12 personnel throughout his career. O’Brien knows how to move tight ends around and put them in position to make plays.

The Patriots will be counting on Hunter Henry and newly acquired Mike Gesicki to make plays for them this season. They will play an integral part in this offense.

Here is a look at all the tight ends in camp.

Hunter Henry, 6-5 258, Arkansas: Henry caught nine touchdown passes his first season as a Patriot but only caught two last season as he and the entire offense regressed. Now Henry has an opportunity to bounce back and look more like the player he did in his first season with the Patriots. He will get plenty of targets in Bill O’Brien’s system and will be a focal point of the offense. The Patriots need Henry to not only be Mac Jones security blanket, but to also be a match up problem for defenses. He will be this season because unlike last season, O’Brien will put him in a position to succeed.

Mike Gesicki, 6-6 245, Penn State: Gesicki profiles more as a move U tight end who can create one on one match ups both as a split end and in the red zone. That is why the Patriots signed him. Belichick and O’Brien do not have any delusions of grandeur. They are not going to lock Gesicki in on the back side and ask him to block people. With his height and wide catch radius, expect Gesicki to be targeted a lot especially against safeties and sub corners. Gesicki and Henry will be a nightmare for defenses in 12 personnel.

Anthony Firkser, 6-2 245, Harvard: Firkser is a move tight end who has had success in his previous stops specifically the Tennessee Titans where he caught a career best 39 passes for 387 yards and a touchdown. Firkser is smart and a crafty route runner. He can also play on special teams which adds to Firkser’s value and it will help him make the team.

Matt Sokol, 6-5 258, Michigan State: Sokol is a Y tight end who has found a way to stick on the roster the past two years. He came to the Patriots after spending time with the Lions. He is a good route runner with strong hands and the ability to win in contested catch situations. He can play on all the special teams as well. The battle with Firkser and rookie free agent Johnny Lumpkin is one to watch at camp.

Johnny Lumpkin, 6-6 268, Louisiana: Lumpkin is an intriguing option for the Patriots as a third tight end. He is a good blocker who is technically sound but needs to show up more as a receiver. He flashes upside catching the football but we need to see more out of him.

Positional Breakdown: Henry and Gesicki will be factors in this offense. They will be a problem for opposing defenses. 12 personnel will be the Patriots toughest personnel grouping to defend. I would expect the them to carry a third tight end. The question is, do they opt for more of a blocker at that position or do they go for more of a receiving type they can use in 13 personnel? I guess we’ll find out at the end of camp.