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Inside the New England Patriots Draft Room: Who Will Join the Super Bowl Champions

By Shawn Spencer

Dec 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks the sidelines in the second half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks the sidelines in the second half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Patriots draft Rob Gronkowski
Oct 16, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) spikes the ball after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports /

Tight Ends

The pairing of Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett was supposed to make the New England offense unstoppable. Unfortunately, injuries to Gronkowski limited the time the two tight ends spent on the field together. With Bennett now in Green Bay, look for New England to add another tight end to the roster. Dwayne Allen, acquired this offseason from Indianapolis, will be utilized in the red zone, but earns his money as a blocker.

Highly-valued skills:

hand size, 40-yard dash, bench press, vertical, three cone, short shuttle (88 gradaed)

1. Evan Engram (Ole Miss) – 47%

1. David Njoku (Miami, FL) – 47%

3. O.J. Howard (Alabama) – 35.2%

4. Tyrone Swoopes (Texas) – 23.5%

5. Sean Culkin (Missouri) – 11.7%

5. Jacob Hollister (Wyoming) – 11.7%

Fell below the minimum threshold in one category, but still finished with a positive score:

1. Brandon Barnes (Alabama State) – 35.2%

2. Billy Brown (Shepherd) – 17.6%

2. Zach Conque (Stephen F. Austin) – 17.6%

2. Sam Cotton (Nebraska) – 17.6%

2. Bucky Hodges (Virginia Tech) – 17.6%

Jake Butt (Michigan) scored positively from a size standpoint, but did not workout due to injury.

The best option for New England to add another receiving threat at tight end is Bucky Hodges. He fell below the minimum threshold at the bench press by one rep, but other than that fit perfectly into what New England is looking for. If the Patriots want to go the A.J. Derby route again and bring in another college quarterback to develop into a tight end, Tyrone Swoopes and Zach Conque are the top options.

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