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

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 13: Thaddeus Moss #81 of the LSU Tigers scores a touchdown against the Clemson Tigers during the third quarter in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

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PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 30: Cole Kmet #84 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs with the ball against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

1. Cole Kmet, Notre Dame, 6′ 6” and 262 lbs

Kmet became one of the main weapons in Notre Dame’s offense this past season. He didn’t have much production his first two years with the Irish, but in 2019, he had 43 catches for over 500 yards and six touchdowns.

With Kmet’s size, he has done an okay job in the run game, and he has sure hands, only dropping two balls out of 60 catchable passes the last two seasons, according to Pro Football Focus.

Kmet plays very well as an in-line tight end. However, I’m not sure he is the type of tight end a team can constantly flex out wide as an explosive player.

For New England, this would be a major upgrade at the position: a decent blocker, good hands, and great size. I’d say he’s the top tight end in the draft, and a good fit in New England.

In short, he’s got the size — which you can’t teach — he’s got the hands, and he can be coached up in the run game.

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