Ahead of the 2019 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots are hosting Iowa tight end Noah Fant for a visit on Thursday, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The Patriots are in serious need of help at tight end after Rob Gronkowski retired.
The Patriots signed free agent tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins to a contract on Wednesday, and he could contribute at the position. However, he has dealt with significant injuries problems during his career, and has missed at least three games per season. Surely, New England would welcome a more consistent presence at the position, along with tight ends Matt LaCosse, Jacob Hollister and Stephen Anderson.
Fant is considered one of the best tight ends in the draft. He and his former teammate T.J. Hockenson are widely considered the two best prospects at tight end in 2019. Fant is a more gifted athlete and also is a bigger threat as a pass-catcher. Hockenson is a more complete tight end with better blocking skills than Fant but less playmaking abilities.
Fant’s visit comes on the same day as those for receivers A.J. Brown and Deebo Samuel. They are all likely to go in the first two rounds. Clearly, New England is making an emphasis of studying the class’ top pass-catchers.
