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New England Patriots: Making an offense of former Patriots

By Luke O'Brien

Sep 24, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; A general view of Gillette Stadium prior to the game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Massachusetts Minutemen. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; A general view of Gillette Stadium prior to the game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Massachusetts Minutemen. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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New England Patriots
Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett (88) against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Tight Ends

Starter 1 – Martellus Bennett (Packers)

Starter 2 – Benjamin Watson (Ravens)

Backup –  AJ Derby (Broncos)

3rd String/Special Teams – Michael Hoomanawanui (Saints)

Blocking Tight End/Special Teams – Lee Smith (Raiders)

Cut in Camp – Asante Cleveland (Chargers), Bryce Williams (Rams), Steven Scheu (Broncos), Kennard Backman (Lions)

Five tight end’s might seem a lot to carry on the roster, and you would be right.  Hold your opinions until you see the wide receiver options and then you can judge the selections.  Bennett is one of the most high-profile players on the roster and is probably the top receiving threat.  If Watson can replicate his 2015 season (before he tore his Achilles) he would be an outstanding 2nd option.  AJ Derby offers a bit of youth at the position and is more of a pure receiver than a true Tight-End.

To add some special team’s depth and for heavy sets, Hoomanawanui and Smith are experienced players in the prime of their careers that can block well and can catch when called upon.  Hoomanawanui has also played some H-Back in the past so offers some versatility.

In the cut section, Cleveland was the only realistic option but he missed out to Smith’s experience.  Williams and Scheu were camp bodies in 2016 that didn’t have much chance to make the team.  Backman only spent a cumulative 6 days on the Patriots practice roster and has made little impact elsewhere.

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