Patriots: 4 jobs clearly up for grabs during training camp

2. Tight End

Another obvious position battle will see the Patriots emerge with a new starting tight end.

Bill Belichick selected two tight ends in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft in Virginia Tech’s Dalton Keene and UCLA’s Devin Asiasi. However, since then we’ve learned Keene profiles as more of a versatile option for the Pats due to his tremendous blocking abilities. It’s been said he can line up at fullback, H-back and tight end.

That kind of rules him out as the unquestioned starter, so expect Asiasi and Matt LaCosse to duke it out for a majority of reps. LaCosse got some starting time in 2019, but failed to impress even when Benjamin Watson was serving a suspension. He logged just 13 receptions for 131 yards and a touchdown in 11 games (eight starts).

As for Asiasi, he’s more of a developmental project considering he had just 52 receptions for 789 yards and six touchdowns in 18 college games, most of which came during last season with the Bruins when he was the starter for the first time. But his 6-3, 257-pound frame is a dream target for a guy like Newton, who loves to utilize the tight end.

LaCosse is more of a blocking-type tight end, while Asiasi is clearly the superior receiving option. Regardless of how Belichick and Josh McDaniels decide to deploy the offense, keep a close eye on this position battle over the next month and a half.