The 2019 season brought nothing but disappointment from the New England Patriots’ tight end position. The trio of Matt LaCosse, Ryan Izzo, and Ben Watson combined for just 36 receptions for 418 yards and two touchdowns. Those numbers were good for 32nd in receptions, 30th in yards and 32nd in touchdowns for team tight end production.
New England recognized the need and went after a couple tight ends in the third round of this year’s draft and brought in some undrafted free agents as well.
No roster spots should be guaranteed for anyone at this position. An open competition between the six tight ends would produce the best group that should be able to contribute much more than last year.
Matt LaCosse
LaCosse’s first season with New England didn’t go exactly as planned. He appeared in only 11 games, as he dealt with constant injuries throughout the year. The 27-year-old totaled just 13 receptions for 131 yards and a touchdown and has yet to top 25 receptions or 250 yards in any of his four professional seasons.
LaCosse will need to show a lot of growth and the ability to stay healthy if he wants to make the team.
Ryan Izzo
Izzo was a seventh-round selection in the 2018 draft but missed the entirety of his rookie season due to an injury. So, when 2019 came around, it wasn’t expected that Izzo was going to make the roster. However, he snuck onto the final 53 due to the lack of depth at the position. His six games, six receptions, 114 yards, and one touchdown didn’t necessarily impress.
Now, in his third season, Izzo will face much more of a challenge to make this year’s final roster. Four hungry rookies are breathing down his neck to earn a spot over him.
Devin Asiasi
Asiasi was the Patriots first of two tight ends selected in the third round of this year’s draft. In college, he spent his freshman year at Michigan but only played two games. After transferring to UCLA and sitting out a season due to transfer rules, Asiasi put up 50 receptions for 771 yards and five touchdowns in his two seasons as a Bruin.
The soon-to-be 23-year-old could fit well in New England as an in-line tight end. He has shown the ability and willingness to block, and he succeeds in the middle of the field on seam routes. If the Patriots capitalize on play-action as they have in the past, Asiasi could find his way on the field early in the season.
Dalton Keene
Keene was the second tight end drafted by the Patriots in the third round this year. In his three seasons with Virginia Tech, Keene compiled 59 receptions for 748 yards and eight touchdowns. Those numbers don’t exactly jump off the page, but there is some consistent production there.
The former Hokie has a chance to be a hybrid tight end/fullback or an ‘H-back’ in New England. His ability to be a lead blocker could also allow the Patriots to play towards what should be their strength in running the ball. On top of that, his ability to both run routes and run block won’t give away what the offense is doing when he’s on the field.
Jake Burt
Boston College isn’t exactly known for their dominant football programs, so it’s not a surprise that Burt when undrafted. In his four seasons as an Eagle, the tight end played in just 14 games, recording 23 receptions for 307 yards and two touchdowns.
If Burt wants to make the final roster, he’ll need to carve out a role for himself on special teams and as a blocker. He could fulfill an offensive role similar to one that Dwayne Allen had just a few years ago. However, it will be an uphill battle for him to make it as an undrafted free agent.
Rashod Berry
It’s tough to say any of the guys in this group have more versatility than Berry out of Ohio State. In his five years in the program, he played snaps at tight end, defensive end, fullback, and on special teams. Because of the constant moving and his inability to really stick at one position, his stats suffered. He put up only 17 receptions for 198 yards and four touchdowns on offense.
Right now it feels like it would take a lot for Berry to make the 53-man roster. However, his versatility could land him a spot on the practice squad. For Berry to have a future at tight end, he would need to seriously work on his pass-catching and route running.
