Who is the best tight end prospect for the Patriots in this draft?

The Patriots were lackluster at the tight end position last year. Who are the top tight ends in this year’s NFL Draft that they should target?

Let’s rewind to the end of the 2018 season.

The New England Patriots had won the Super Bowl, and a little over a month later, Rob Gronkowski announced he was retiring. Dwayne Allen was a great blocker though, and he played well in Indianapolis catching passes, so maybe he would step it up in 2019?

No, that wasn’t the case … since he wasn’t even a Patriot in 2019.

Well, the Patriots had to sign someone to play the position, right? Sure, they got Matt LaCosse, and Ryan Izzo returned back from injury, too. Ben Watson decided he wasn’t retiring after all, but he would have to miss the first four games of the 2019 season due to a drug policy violation.

So the Patriots’ tight end depth chart wasn’t too bad heading into 2019 … or was it?

Well, Watson, LaCosse, and Izzo ranked No. 8, No. 9, and No.10, respectively, on the team for number of yards receiving last year. Watson even revealed he played the season on a torn Achilles.

It was all a far cry from what the Patriots were accustomed to having since Gronkowski entered the league.

The Patriots didn’t have a plan for Gronkowski leaving; now it’s time they drastically improve the talent they have at the position.

There likely won’t be another Rob Gronkowski in this year’s draft — in fact, don’t even expect a tight end to be drafted until the third round. Although there isn’t any first round grade tight ends in this year’s draft, there are quite a few good fits for the Patriots.