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Patriots: Winners and losers of the Cam Newton signing

By Nick Snelling

Quarterback Cam Newton #1, now of the New England Patriots (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Quarterback Cam Newton #1, now of the New England Patriots (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 25: Devin Asiasi #TE01 of the UCLA Bruins speaks to the media at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) *** Local Capture *** Devin Asiasi /

Winner: Devin Asiasi

Devin Asiasi seems to be the favorite, from the outside looking in, to start for New England at tight end this season. For all intents and purposes, this is solely based off the fact that no tight ends were signed in free agency, and that Asiasi was the highest drafted tight end out of the rookie pool the Pats brought in this offseason.

It’s also reasonable to believe he will start over returning tight ends Ryan Izzo and Matt LaCosse.

Asiasi could be a dark horse this season if Cam Newton can utilize him the way he utilized tight ends in Carolina. Not known for their blocking ability, Greg Olsen, Ed Dickson and Asiasi play the tight end position more comparably to each other than to Rob Gronkowski.

Asiasi, at 6-3 and 260 pounds, ran in the 4.7s at his combine. Olsen was 6-5, 254 pounds, and ran in the 4.5s at his in 2007.

If Asiasi can absorb the playbook and develop quickly during this bizarre offseason, he would be New England’s best threat at the tight end position regardless of who wins the quarterback battle. If his ability as a pass catcher in college can translate to the NFL, then he could be just the answer to last season’s woes at the position in Foxborough.

Stidham could absolutely use a big, middle of the field target like Asiasi, but it is Newton who has made a living exposing the tight end position against defenses. Stidham would be able to rely on Asiasi, but Newton would be able to unleash him onto opposing defenses.

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