The Patriots came into this off-season with no starting caliber tight ends on their roster. Eliot Wolf was able to re-sign Hunter Henry and sign veteran free agent Austin Hooper to a one year deal. The Patriots had three veteran tight ends in for visits this weekend according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss. Brycen Hopkins (Rams), Sean McKeon (Cowboys and Shepherd Hill grad) and Mitchell Wilcox (Bengals) all visited Foxboro. One of them could sign this week but the Patriots will still pursue a tight end in this draft.
Here are ten tight ends that fit what the Patriots like to do that they could target in the middle rounds.
Jared Wiley, TCU 6-6 248: Wiley profiles as a Y tight end who can be moved around in formations to create match-ups in all three levels. He has a wide catch radius and is athletic for his size. He scored an 81 yard touchdown last season. Wiley is a good blocker but needs refinement, especially in-line. Profiles as a future starter.
Theo Johnson, Penn State, 6-6 259: Another big, rugged Y tight end who can be a factor in the passing game. Johnson runs smooth routes and can create separation on his route breaks. Arguably the best blocking tight end in this class, he wins one on one on drive blocks and does a good job filling backside on seal plays. Runs a little high and stiff but Johnson has the look of a potential starter down the road.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas 6-3 245: Sanders is an athletic match-up piece who can move around in formations and line up in different alignments. He has strong hands and a wide catch radius. He has big play potential especially in plus territory. Sanders is a good blocker in space but leaves something to be desired in-line. In the mold of a Jonnu Smith if you are looking for a comp.
Ben Sinnott, Kansas St. 6-3 250: Sinnott is your classic move tight end. He can be a weapon in the underneath and intermediate threat in the passing game. Sinnott is a vertical threat who can separate down the seam and make big plays. He needs to show more as a blocker. The lack of length has been an issue for him but his versatility and ability to make plays in the passing game make a valuable member of this group. Reminds me of Sam LaPorta in some ways.
Jaheim Bell, Florida State, 6-2 241: Another move tight end that can also be used in the back field as a lead blocker and as a match-up piece either in the slot or as a wing. Reminds of MyCole Pruitt and Brevin Jordan. Sam type of player. Competitive blocker who blocks with a good base and uses good fundamentals. Can separate on short and intermediate routes and has chunk play potential. Undersized but has potential as a U tight end.
Tip Reiman, Illinois, 6-4 270: A big tight end who runs good routes, can separate on the break and has a wide catch radius. A good blocker who gets movement on contact and plays with the proper bend. One of the top overall blockers in this group. Effective blocking in space as well. Lacks the quick twitch movements you want in a tight end but Reiman could thrive in a 12 personnel based offense that locks in the U backside and uses him as a blocker and receiver.
Tanner McClachlan, Arizona, 6-5 244: Long, lanky tight end who is athletic and can compete in contested catch situations. Profiles as more of a move u tight end who can line up in the slot or on the line. Has good straight line speed and can separate on corner and seam routes. Competitive blocker who will balance up a defender, move his feet and keep defenders in front of him. Transferred to Arizona from Southern Utah and made an impact. McClachlan could be a productive red zone piece.
Brevyn Spann-Ford, Minnesota: 6-6 250: Spann-Ford is a big tight end who can be used in-line or displaced and moved around in a formation. A long strider, Spann-Ford has surprising quickness and can separate from coverage. He has a wide catch radius and can box out defenders in contested catch situations. Spann-Ford is a good blocker who gets movement but loses his balance at times and gets stone walled. Needs to work on being more consistent. Had too many drops in college.
Mason Pline, Furman, 6-6 251: Big target who can play in-line or detached. A raw talent with a big time skill set but unrefined. Pline is a project but in the right system, he could develop into a Y or U tight end and potentially thrive. Pline will start out as a third tight end and play special teams but if given time, could take a larger role in an offense.
Trey Knox, South Carolina, 6-3 234: Move tight end who could line up in the slot or as a wing and block back on inside zone. Knox started at Arkansas and transferred to South Carolina prior to last season. He moved to tight end during his college career. Knox has a wide catch radius and he has consistent hands. Knox is a straight line runner and lacks the ideal body type and big play ability teams will look for in a U tight end. Knox needs to get stronger and improve as a blocker, if he does, he can develop into a productive part of an offense. He has special teams upside as well.
Others:
Colson Yankoff, UCLA, 6-3 233
Erick All, Iowa, 6-4 252
Dallin Holker, Colorado State, 6-3 244
McCallan Castles, Tennessee, 6-4 244
Zach Heins, South Dakota St. 6-6 259