New England Patriots: Glaring 2020 offseason needs
By Ian Higgins
2019 Personnel: Matt LaCosse, Ben Watson (UFA), Ryan Izzo
Since Rob Gronkowski‘s final career reception against the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl 53, the void at tight end has been unfulfilled for a franchise that has valued the position so highly throughout their recent dynasty. It would be difficult to imagine New England skimping at tight end in the 2020 offseason considering the lack of current depth.
The 2020 offseason provides a variety of options through both free agency and the 2020 NFL draft. Free agency has 3 major players hitting the open market: Eric Ebron, Austin Hooper, and Hunter Henry. In the 2020 NFL draft, the tight end class does not possess the same top-end talent as years past but could bring value from their draft positions.
There have been two recent trends in the skill sets of elite tight ends in the NFL: receiving-blocking dual threats (ex: Rob Gronkowski) and athletic mismatches (ex: Jimmy Graham). Players can be coached and molded to become sufficient blockers, especially in the downhill running game, but blocking tight ends can not acquire the same athleticism from just coaching.
If the New England Patriots are to take their next step in continuing a dynasty without Tom Brady, they need to find their next great tight end to act as an athletic security blanket for whichever young quarterback is brought into the fold.