Patriots 2024 roster reset: Time to target a tight end in NFL Draft? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Editor’s Note: With the beginning of NFL free agency looming on March 13, our Patriots Insider Tom E. Curran is resetting each Patriots position by assessing their 2023 performance, laying out their 2024 contract status and ranking their offseason priority on a scale of 1 to 5.
Curran has covered quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs. Next up: tight ends.
The Patriots weren’t deep at tight end in 2023, and as a group they weren’t especially productive in the passing game.
A grand total of three tight ends trotted out and caught passes – Hunter Henry, Mike Gesicki and Pharaoh Brown. And Gesicki was a hybrid TE/WR. So really, it was Henry – who had a very good season given the circumstances with 42 catches for 419 yards and six touchdowns – and Brown manning the conventional tight end spots.
As a group, they had 84 catches for 871 yards and nine touchdowns. Basically, a down year for Gronk. But times change. And more changes to the position will be coming.
Henry, Gesicki and Brown are all free agents. The only tight end currently on the roster is La’Michael Pettway, who played in the USFL for three seasons and was added to the Patriots practice squad on December 27.
Bright spots from 2023
Henry was the Patriots’ most consistent pass-catcher before his Week 15 knee injury against the Chiefs ended his season. He was Mac Jones’ most dependable pass catcher and has provided solid leadership during his three years in New England. He was targeted 61 times, third on the team behind Ezekiel Elliott and Rhamondre Stevenson.
Brown was a nice surprise, coming on after being released by the Colts at the end of training camp. He was primarily a blocking tight end and played in all 17 games.
He had a big-play touchdown against the Jets when he was left completely uncovered for a 58-yard catch. He had 13 catches on 15 targets.
Disappointments from 2023
It…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/patriots-2024-roster-reset-time-134945213.html
Author : NBC Sports Boston
Publish date : 2024-03-01 13:49:45
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