The tight end position has been non-existent in the Patriots offense the past two seasons. It has always been a productive position for the Patriots under Bill Belichick. Especially since 2010 when Belichick drafted Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez in the same draft class.
After Gronkowski announced his retirement following the 2018 season, Belichick attempted to replace him by bringing back former Patriot Ben Watson and signing veteran Matt LaCosse. The end result was 37 catches and two touchdown receptions between the four tight ends (Ryan Izzo and Eric Tomlinson were the others) on the roster that season.
Belichick once again tried fixing the position in the 2020 draft by drafting Devin Asiasi out of UCLA and hybrid tight/fullback Dalton Keene out of Virginia Tech in the third round. Both rookies struggled to get on the field last season. They combined for 5 catches for 55 yards and a touchdown. A touchdown mind you that was scored by Asiasi in the last regular season game against the Jets.
Asiasi and Keene now face an uphill climb to make the roster because once again this past off-season, Belichick focused on fixing the tight end position. This time however he made significant upgrades with the addition of the two best right ends on the free agent market in Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith.
Belichick gave both tight ends big contracts to come in and help addressed a position that he places a tremendous amount of value in. Belichick likes to play in 12 personnel a lot. A personnel grouping which is balanced for the offense but a nightmare to defend for the defense.
Henry and Smith will allow the Patriots to use a variety of formations out of 12 personnel and create match ups problems for the defense.
Henry will play the Y tight end. He is bigger and a better in line blocker than Smith so he will play more on the line of scrimmage, in a three point stance.
Smith on the other hand will play the U (second tight end). He is a move tight end and will line up all over the place. The plan is to play him in the slot a lot and get safeties or nickel corners on him. Smith excelled at winning match ups in those situations with the Titans, especially in the red zone.
The aforementioned Matt LaCosse is back after opting out last season due to COVID-19. While LaCosse has good size and is athletic, he struggles to make plays consistently in the passing game. He will have to fend off former Denver Broncos Troy Fumagalli who has had a strong camp thus far. At 6-6 248, Fumagalli has ideal measurables and is quality route runner. He can win one on one in the red zone on a consistent basis.
Tight end is once again the centerpiece position of the Patriots offense. While some folks around here were bemoaning the fact that the Patriots didn’t add another wide receiver or trade for Julio Jones, they lost sight of the fact that the Patriots are at their best offensively when they have tight ends that can impact the game. They have that again.