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Can Patriots get more from Tight End position In 2023?

By Garrett Haydon

Dec 6, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New England Patriots tight end Jonnu Smith (81) reaches for the ball for a catch against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New England Patriots tight end Jonnu Smith (81) reaches for the ball for a catch against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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When Bill O’Brien was last offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots in 2011, he oversaw one of the most productive tight end groups in NFL history.

The duo of Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski totaled 169 receptions for 2,237 yards and a staggering 24 touchdowns. By comparison, the duo of Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith totaled just 68 receptions for 754 yards and a meager two touchdowns this past season.

Eras change and personnel changes, but the differences are stark, to say the least. With O’Brien back in the fold for 2023, it stands to reason the Patriots can get more from the position than they have recently.

To be clear, very few NFL players, let alone tight ends compare to Gronkowski. His elite blend of skill and strength made him arguably the best to ever play the position. Based solely on his ability to make plays in the middle of the field, Henry does draw a small comparison to Gronkowski, but the similarities stop there.

The comparison between Hernandez and Smith is cleaner as both are very athletic and can line up anywhere on the field. However, despite Smith being on the roster the past two seasons, the Patriots haven’t exactly put him in the best position to succeed. The hope with bringing O’Brien back, the team can rely on Henry and Smith more.

One of the issues with the Patriots’ offense in 2022 was their overreliance on certain playmakers, specifically Rhamondre Stevenson and Jakobi Meyers. Both led the Patriots in targets with 96 and 88, respectively. Henry was the next closest with just 59, and Smith had only 38.

For the team to be most successful on offense, they can’t rely on just two players to get things done. Getting more touches for Smith especially would help, as his athleticism allows him to make plays after the catch. In Henry’s short time with the team, he’s established a solid rapport with Mac Jones, so it certainly would make sense to see his targets jump next season.

With Jones hopefully relying more on both tight ends in 2023, the Patriots’ offense can become more dynamic by spreading the ball around. Jones needs to feel more comfortable getting the ball to the tight ends to take pressure off the other playmakers because otherwise, they will fall into being too predictable, much like last season.

Creating more comfort for the quarterback by relying a bit more on the tight ends could work wonders for Jones and Co., as they need a total reset. It may look different from 2011, but 2023 should see more production from the tight end spot.

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