2020 NFL Draft: Justin Herbert goes No. 1 in first-round NFL mock draft

With the “Rob Gronowski return” rumors officially expunged, it is time for the Patriots to find its next great Tight end. Someone who can act as a release valve for Brady as he plays into his 50’s. A tight end who can double in running routes but also staying back to act as the 6th man on the offensive line.

In the 2020 NFL draft, tight ends are sparse and not nearly as widely available as they are most years. But this year there is a clear cut favorite above the rest who is most likely to take the next step.

Jared Pinkney is the kind of tight end that makes you think of Gronk. At 6-foot-4, he is a few inches shorter than Gronk was but the rest is there to see. Pinkney has the speed and route-running ability to challenge linebackers and defensive backs. He also has the strength to lower his shoulders and ricochet off defenders while running, planting them on the ground as he keeps running down the field.

He can jump and make highlight-reel catches that would have you thinking he played as a wide receiver. Playing for Vanderbilt should keep him off NFL radars long enough to for the Patriots to draft him in the 2020 NFL draft.

This is the first year in a while that Brady hasn’t had Gronkowski to throw to. And while I don’t think this is the much prophesied “end of Brady”, not having a 6-foot-6, big-bodied tight end to run dig routes for you when the downfield receivers don’t open up certainly doesn’t help.

The Patriots have always had a quality tight end to line up for Brady to throw to. Having Ben Watson this year only shows us how good Gronk really was. So long as Brady is on this team, Belichick should try and get him some help at the tight end spot.