The New England Patriots have yet to address their glaring need for a tight end.
Josh McDaniels’ offense was lacking an explosive tight end last season after Rob Gronkowski retired and the Patriots went another round of free agency without signing a prospect this offseason. New England currently has Ryan Izzo and Matt LaCosse on the roster — averaging a combined 517 yards and three touchdowns over their careers.
Jordan Reed, Delanie Walker and Charles Clay lead the group of free agent tight ends still available, but the Patriots have little cap space and haven’t jumped on any of them yet. This leaves the NFL Draft, and the Patriots have 12 picks to select a tight end or two.
Here are seven players the Patriots could choose in the draft.
Cole Kmet, Notre Dame
Cole Kmet is likely the top tight end in the NFL Draft this year and his ability to play a balanced game is the reason for it. He’s a 6-foot-6, 262 pound player who has excellent blocking skills, along with a high ceiling as a pass-catcher. He hauled in 43 catches for 515 yards and six touchdowns in his final season at Notre Dame.
Kmet will likely fall in the first round of the draft, forcing the Patriots to use the No. 23 pick if he fell down that far.
Adam Trautman, Dayton
Adam Trautman is one of the more realistic choices for the Patriots to draft. The team already met with him and he told reporters that New England is a franchise he could see himself playing for. Trautman is 6-foot-6, 250 pounds and put together an astounding 70 catches for 916 yards and 14 touchdowns in his senior season at Dayton.
Trautman will be one of the first tight ends off the board, but it’s possible he’ll fall to the third round — where the Patriots could potentially grab him with pick No. 87.
Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic
Harrison Bryant is an interesting prospect who has versatility and pass-catching ability that would fit with New England. He’s a 6-foot-5, 240 pound tight end who lined up in the slot, out wide and at the traditional tight end spot. He proved his elite pass-catching abilities in his senior year after pulling in 65 catches for 1,004 yards and seven touchdowns.
Bryant had issues with drops and and blocking in college, potentially sending him to the third or fourth round of the draft.
Dalton Keene, Virginia Tech
Dalton Keene is an under-the-radar prospect who has been overlooked due to his production last season. Keene is a 6-foot-4, 250 pound prospect who can play tight end, fullback or even running back. He runs a 4.7 40-yard dash and has all the physical attributes to thrive in the NFL. Many teams will overlook him after recording only 21 catches for 240 yards and five touchdowns in his senior year.
Keene will likely be a late-round draft pick, giving the Patriots time to make a decision and fall back on him if he’s available.
Hunter Bryant, Washington
Hunter Bryant is one of the most fluid route runners out this tight end group and he has the Patriots on his radar. The 6-foot-2, 240 pound prospect would be a huge upgrade over the current tight ends on New England’s roster. He hauled in 52 catches for 825 yards and three touchdowns last season. Bryant’s biggest weakness is blocking, but he’s adamant on building strength and improving in that area.
Bryant will likely fall after Kmet and Trautman, landing him around the third or fourth round.
Brycen Hopkins, Purdue
Brycen Hopkins provides exceptional route running and and impressive straight-line speed. He, like the other prospects, thrives as a pass-catcher and is a problem for defenders in the open field. Hopkins is 6-foo-5, 245 pounds and managed to average 15 yards per catch over his four collegiate seasons. Hopkins’ primary weakness is blocking in the trenches, but that’ll come as he builds strength and technique.
Hopkins is projected around the second or third round and the Patriots should strongly consider him.
Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri
Albert Okwuegbunam prides himself on balancing his game and doing everything that’s needed. Okwuegbunam is a 6-foot-5, 260 pound prospect who has solid pass-catching abilities, but who’s also an exceptional blocking tight end. He spoke to reporters about his desire in college to emulate Gronkowski’s game. Okwuegbunam recorded 26 catches for 306 yards and six touchdowns his senior year.
Okwuegbunam is projected to be a third or fourth round pick, giving the Patriots a solid player to look forward to if he falls to them.
