Patriots: Bill Belichick should explore trade for Colts TE Jack Doyle

The Patriots need a tight end, and enough is enough.

Cam Newton thrives with a good tight end in his offense, as evidenced by Greg Olsen’s production in Carolina while the two were with the Panthers. Though the New England Patriots have worked to cater their system to Newton’s skill set, they’re missing that one key component that made the former MVP so successful.

Right now, it’s Ryan Izzo getting the most reps. The Patriots spent two third-round picks on UCLA’s Devin Asiasi and Virginia Tech’s Dalton Keene in this year’s draft, but Asiasi has seen only 59 snaps and has no stats to show for it while Keene has yet to be active.

In short, the Pats need a solution before this year’s trade deadline if they want to make big moves this season, and the Indianapolis Colts might be able to help out.

Out in Indy, former VCU basketball star Mo Alie-Cox has grabbed the spotlight after injuries to Jack Doyle and Trey Burton helped provide an opportunity. Now, the 27-year-old looks like he has a stranglehold on the job and that leaves the Colts with three starting-caliber tight ends.

And the one that makes the most sense to trade is Doyle, who is signed through 2022 and is owed around $10 million total in 2021 and 2022. That’s right in the Patriots’ wheelhouse in terms of budget (especially given Doyle’s capabilities) and that shouldn’t matter anyway because Belichick has set the team up to be bathing in cap space after this season.

Doyle would fit right in with the Pats, too. He’s a good blocking tight end and we already know what he can do in the passing game with a capable quarterback (he was among the best with Andrew Luck under center). The only concern is his injuries as of late, but he’s on the mend right now and returned to the field on Sunday — though, like we mentioned, Alie-Cox was the featured tight end.

The Patriots need a semblance of production at the tight end position and Doyle would help in the run-blocking department, provide stability for at least two and a half years, and make the passing attack more dynamic, all at a decent price.

It’s something Belichick should explore before the deadline. Newton would be very appreciative.

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