It was obvious that the Patriots weren’t going to be able to replace the production of Rob Gronkowski after his retirement. However, there was a realistic expectation that New England would be able to find a couple tight ends that could produce 80% of the numbers Gronkowski put up.
Last year, with Matt Lacosse, Ben Watson, and Ryan Izzo, the Patriots tight end group was one of the worst in the NFL. The three combined for just 36 receptions, 418 yards, and two touchdowns. Those were 32nd, 30th, and 32nd in the league in terms of team production from the position. In a good year, those numbers would be serviceable from a singular second option.
Now, New England has lost Watson to retirement, and they’ve yet to make a move to bring in a free agent. The 2020 draft may be their last chance to add a productive tight end to the roster. Here are the top tight ends that could be available in each round.
Round 1 – Cole Kmet, Notre Dame
With the amount of talent in the first round of this year’s draft, there aren’t many tight ends who would be considered to go on Day 1. However, if one were to be selected it would Kmet. The former Fighting Irish tight end put up 691 yards and six touchdowns in 23 games in his college career. His 6-foot-6, 260-pound frame projects him to be a solid blocker in the future, but the skill isn’t totally there yet. He could perfect the seam route that Gronkowski succeeded with and provide the offense with another big-bodied red zone target.
Round 2 – Hunter Bryant, Washington
The Patriots don’t currently have a second-round pick, but Bill Belichick doesn’t like missing out on big chunks of the draft. So, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him trade into the second and select a guy like Bryant. In his three seasons at Washington, Bryant recorded 85 receptions for 1,394 yards and five touchdowns. He has great ball skills and can dominate the seam. If he hadn’t dealt with injuries in college, he’d probably be a first-round talent.
Round 3 – Brycen Hopkins, Purdue
The Boilermakers tight end totaled 1,945 yards and 16 touchdowns in his four-year career, coming on strong in senior season. His athleticism is impressive, but it’s his struggles with catching that have hurt him. He drops roughly 10% of targets thrown his way. However, his route running and ability to beat down zone coverage could make him a solid fit for an offense with a young quarterback.
Round 4 – Adam Trautman, Dayton
Trautman was a monster in his two seasons at Dayton. He brought in 101 receptions for 1,520 yards and 23 touchdowns. He has the size and quickness to be an extremely productive tight end in the NFL. The big question will be if the skills that dominated FCS football can translate to the professional level. It’s always tough for these guys to essentially jump two levels of football. However, if Trautman can perform the same way he did at Dayton, he will be a steal.
Round 5 – Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic
Bryant is one of the most well-rounded tight ends in this year’s draft. He recorded 148 receptions for 2,137 yards and 16 touchdowns in his college career. He’s a solid blocker and can line up in-line or out-wide and can succeed in his match-up. Bryant’s biggest detractors will say that the competition he played against in college is what made him successful, but he may be able to transition seamlessly to the NFL. If he lasts until the 5th round, the Patriots will snag him.
Round 6 – Thaddeus Moss, LSU
Moss will probably be the name that’s mocked to go to the Patriots more than any other tight end, and that’s for two reasons. First, his obvious connection through his father, former Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss. Second, he’ll likely be available in the later rounds.
The LSU product is essentially an unknown. He missed two seasons for transferring and an injury. This past season, his first full year, he put up 570 yards and four touchdowns on 47 receptions. It’s unlikely that he’ll be a star at the NFL level, but he does have the ability to be a very solid blocker which is something the Patriots desperately need.
Round 7 – Ahmad Wagner, Kentucky
Wagner is the definition of a developmental project. He spent three seasons playing basketball at Iowa before transferring to Kentucky to pursue a football career. Last season, with the Wildcats, he played wide receiver bringing in 15 receptions for 254 yards and two touchdowns.
At his size (6-foot-5, 235 pounds), Wagner could be a solid move tight end, but nearly everything about his game needs at least a little work. The raw skill and athleticism could be enough to entice Belichick to use one of his three seventh-round picks on him.
