Depth Chart: Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith, Devin Asiasi, Dalton Keene, Matt Sokol
Player to Watch: Jonnu Smith
Breakdown: The Patriots made two massive tight end free agent signings in 2021, bringing in both Henry and Smith. Henry was a success, catching 50 passes for 603 yards and nine touchdowns. He was excellent in the scoring range, with 29 of his 75 targets coming in the red zone. The team could use a little more production from him outside the red zone, but he was solid all over the field last season.
Smith was a massive disappointment. He never looked fully comfortable in the Patriots offense and totaled just 28 catches for 294 yards and one touchdown. He totaled just three receptions in the last four weeks of the season. He is still a talented player who had 35+ catches and at least 439 yards in each of his last two season in Tennessee, so the Patriots will need to hope he can be closer to that. He has participated in the offseason program, which was something he was unable to do in 2021. I previously detailed how Smith specifically can help the Patriots offense in 2022. At 26, he is still in his athletic prime and if he can return to that 2020 Tennessee form, the New England offense will take a jump forward.
If Smith is unable to play well, third year players Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene will have an opportunity to take his role. Both have been disappointing since being drafted in 2020. Keene is more likely of the two to be cut during camp because he has had more injury issues and the Patriots are reportedly going without a fullback in 2022, which would have been part of his role. Asiasi has all the physical tools, but has not produced anything meaningful in his career thus far. He will be given a chance, but it is a make-or-break season for him in New England. Sokol was claimed off waivers in May and will have a chance to earn a spot on the roster if he outperforms Asiasi and Keene
Final Thoughts: The Patriots tight end group has a top ten option at the top in Henry, but beyond that there is significant uncertainty. Smith could bounce back and add a great dimension to the Patriots offense, or he could also go down as one of the biggest free agent misses the Patriots have ever had. Asiasi and Keene are in a similar boat, they (especially Asiasi) could carve out roles for themselves or add their names to recent Patriots skill position draft misses. This will not be the most high-profile position group to watch in training camp, but it could produce some surprises.