Ever since the departure of Rob Gronkowski, the Patriots have struggled to get any sort of production out of the TE position. Could this draft hold the answer?
The Patriots’ offense is in the need of a total revamping. New England absolutely has to focus on garnering offensive assets from this draft, and if they don’t focus on QB prospects or WR prospects, the TE position is one that has some future stars in the mix.
Devin Asiasi had a disastrous rookie season for the Patriots. After being seen as the future receiving TE for New England, Asiasi didn’t record a reception until the Pats’ last game of the season against the New York Jets — though he did make a nice, leaping touchdown grab. After suiting up for 11 games this year, Asiasi will certainly be looking to prove the doubters wrong at the beginning of next season.
Luckily, the 2021 NFL draft holds some great TE prospects, so it’s time to evaluate some playmakers the Patriots could take at their No. 15 slot.
Kyle Pitts – Florida
Truly, Kyle Pitts is the best TE prospect the NFL has seen in years.
Pitts is a mismatch problem for opposing defenses anywhere on the field. A guy who can line up in the trenches, in the slot, or out wide – man coverage doesn’t work on this cat.
Pitts is absolutely a receiver in a 6-6 frame. He has great speed for a guy his size and creates separation with whoever is chosen to cover him. Pitts has soft hands and can rise up to get any 50/50 ball thrown at him.
If there is one area Pitts can improve, it is probably in the blocking game, but that certainly won’t hold back any interested teams.
You can almost guarantee Pitts is on the Patriots’ draft board. These type of generational TE talents don’t come around every day, and for a team that puts so much emphasis on the position, this guy is a dream. To gain the full respect of Bill Belichick, Pitts will have to improve his blocking strength.
Brevin Jordan – Miami
Brevin Jordan continues the University of Miami’s run of manufacturing great TE prospects.
Jordan is really a poor man’s Kyle Pitts in many ways. He has soft mitts and is great at getting up for the ball. Jordan is another athletic specimen, and the speed and route running ability he holds at his frame is spectacular.
Jordan can be put in all types of situations and schemes on the field. In the trenches, in the slot or out wide – he’s even taken snaps at H-back.
Jordan is slightly more undersized than Pitts, and will have to work on getting stronger to compete with the players on an NFL level. Working on his blocking is also another must for this young player.
If the Patriots have to watch Pitts taken off the draft board early, Jordan isn’t a bad second option if they are truly set on drafting the TE position. Again, to get the full respect of Bill Belichick, Jordan will have to become a force in the blocking game.
Pat Freiermuth – Penn State
This guy may be the most prototypical TE in the 2021 draft.
Pat Freiermuth is perhaps the best blocking tight end available and is just a gritty, hard working player.
He has good hands and is very quick for a 255-pound monster of a man. Freiermuth is great after the catch, and defenders have a hell of a time trying to bring him down (see photo above).
The Big Ten TE of the year unfortunately had to have season-ending surgery after only playing four games for the Lions. Nonetheless, he should still be one of the top three receivers off the board.
If Freiermuth flies through combine medical checks and is still on the board, expect Bill Belichick to take an extended look at the capable receiving TE who is a beast in the trenches.
Is the first round of the draft the best route for the Patriots’ search for the next Gronk?
There is only one true game breaker at the TE position that is deserving of the Patriots’ first-round attention and that is Kyle Pitts. That being said, Bill Belichick isn’t exactly known for following Mel Kiper’s draft board.
This year’s free agent TE class isn’t one that is entirely skilled or deep – Pitts would honestly be better out of the gate than many of these guys. It’s for that reason I believe that Kyle Pitts should absolutely be the Patriots’ first-round selection if he is available.
Pitts and Devin Asiasi could end up being a lethal one-two punch for New England at the position for many years to come.
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