New England Patriots: Free agents who could sign with defending Super Bowl champs
![Oct 16, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans cornerback Jason McCourty (30) breaks up a pass intended for Cleveland Browns tight end Gary Barnidge (82) in the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports Oct 16, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans cornerback Jason McCourty (30) breaks up a pass intended for Cleveland Browns tight end Gary Barnidge (82) in the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/7b6a7b3371f0a1c31d41297282557a377b643c97ab4d58b2b757472e33cb9da9.jpg)
Gary Barnidge, TE (age 31)
Even after trading for Dwayne Allen in March, the Patriots search for a second tight end should continue. Rob Gronkowski hasn’t played a full 16 games since 2011. Should he go down again, it’s unlikely Allen will be the same understudy that Martellus Bennett was for New England last year.
Barnidge, a Pro Bowler in 2015, had 55 catches, 612 yards and two touchdowns in 2016. In Week 5, he caught five passes for a season-high 76 yards against the Patriots.
New England currently has seven tight ends on their roster. But Gronkowski and Allen appear to be the only locks to make the team.