With just three games remaining, the New England Patriots will be lucky to finish this season with a winning record. The Patriots have numerous holes on their roster, all of which have been on full display this season without Tom Brady to cover them up. Perhaps the most obvious of these holes is New England’s lack of offensive weapons. The Patriots passing attack ranks 29th in the league, ahead of only the New York Giants, Baltimore Ravens, and New York Jets. Furthermore, the Patriots’ leading receiver, Damiere Byrd, ranks 56th in the league with only 566 receiving yards this season. For reference, a 35-year-old Danny Amendola ranks 57th in the league with 539 receiving yards. However, while the lack of elite talent within the receiving core is a big problem, the Patriots’ lack of talent at the tight end position is somehow a bigger problem.
Despite being placed on injured reserve in week 14, Ryan Izzo leads New England’s tight end group with 199 receiving yards, a total that ranks 39th among tight ends throughout the league. Additionally, rookie tight end Devin Asiasi has played in just six games this season and has recorded no receptions. Moreover, fellow rookie tight end Dalton Keene has played in just three games while recording one catch for eight yards. While it is still early for the pair of rookies, the Patriots desperately need to add talent at tight end this off-season.
New England Patriots Signings: Hunter Henry Should Be Top Priority
Hunter Henry (6’5″, 250 pounds): Henry is far and away the best available free-agent tight end. Aside from a 2018 season in which Henry did not play due to a torn ACL, he has never played in fewer than 12 games. Furthermore, at just 26 years old, Henry is entering his prime and should have several years of elite football left to play. Since being drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2016 out of Arkansas, Henry has been among the most athletic at his position. Henry demonstrates elite body control when running routes and catching the football as he understands how to maneuver his body in order to create separation and maximize an already huge catch radius. Additionally, Henry’s football IQ frequently shows up in his route running as he easily recognizes where to settle when facing zone coverage. Moreover, Henry’s above-average blocking makes him one of the most complete tight ends within the NFL and one of Bill Belichick’s favorites. Following New England’s win over the Chargers in week 13, Belichick made a very clear effort to talk to Henry during the on-field post-game handshakes. Belichick was shown on television hugging Henry and walking with him for several seconds before leaving the field. It is no secret that Belichick loves Henry as the coach has followed Henry’s career since his high school days. According to Spotrac’s market value predictor, Henry’s contract should come in somewhere around $36 million over four years. This would put Henry’s salary around $9 million per year, a number which New England could easily afford this off-season. However, with tight ends in high demand throughout the league along with New England’s lack of clear plan at quarterback, Belichick will likely need to overpay if he hopes to land Henry this spring.
Signing Henry certainly does not fix all of New England’s issues, but it would be an extremely good first step to fixing their offense. Just as the Patriots once broke the bank on the first day of free agency by signing Stephon Gilmore, it feels as though Henry could be in a similar situation. I would not all be surprised to see New England pursue Henry and pursue him hard this spring.
