The New England Patriots, like all other NFL teams, will enter the free agency so-called tampering period on March 9th. Usually, the teams that are the most aggressive and willing to pay up for the best players are the most successful. The Patriots need offensive linemen and sack-providing edges most, but another significant need is tight end.
One that's been pointed out as a possible fit is Cade Otton, and he'd be a great choice.
The tight end room needs a major overhaul by Mike Vrabel. He has the reliable and productive 31-year-old Hunter Henry and little else. The backup was Austin Hooper, but he's a free agent, also 31. The room needs to get younger and better. Hooper should be let go.
Vrabel should add a younger veteran tight end in free agency and also add one in the draft. The room is paper-thin and, like offensive tackle, guard, and edge, needs multiple additions this offseason. The Head Coach will miss the boat if he's not aggressive early in free agency to land a good addition.
Mike Vrabel can't ignore the tight end position any longer
The Patriots last drafted a tight end in 2024, Jaheim Bell, in the seventh round. He did nothing. Before that, they invested two third-round picks in 2020 in Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene. Neither did anything at all either.
MassLive has given a nod to a little-spoken-about young tight end, Cade Otton, from the Tampa Bay Bucs, as a possibility for the Patriots in free agency. It's hard to argue with their suggestion.
"If the Patriots want to add a tight end in his prime, who also happens to be a solid pass catcher and blocker, Otton might be the best fit. The 26-year-old caught 59 passes for 572 yards and a touchdown last season in Tampa.
At 6-foot-5, 247 pounds, Otton is a willing and capable blocker. He’d fit in nicely with Josh McDaniels’ system. Otton’s best season came in 2024 when he caught 59 passes for 600 yards and four touchdowns."
The 6'5", 245-pound Otton just turned 26, and he's a top option for the Patriots to get younger and better in their tight end room. Otton caught 59 passes for 572 yards and a touchdown for the Bucs in 2025. It's the same number of catches as he had in 2024, so consistency is his middle name.
Cade Otton would be an excellent choice for the Patriots at tight end
A great tight end like Kyle Pitts, if he's available, will cost a bagful of cash. Another possibility is former Everett, MA, High School star, Isaiah Likely. He's just 25 but has never caught more than 42 passes in a season.
In 2025, he caught only 27 passes for 307 yards and one touchdown.
While Pitts is the cream of the crop, Otton makes all the sense in the world. He's a young, proven veteran with a solid four years of experience and production. Pro Football Focus only ranks him 10th in their list of top free agent tight ends, and that should be just fine with Vrabel.
Vrabel will need to invest big resources if he's to make a splash on his offensive line or the edge in free agency. Getting a solid, productive young tight end like Otton at a more reasonable cost will be just what the doctor ordered.
Teaming Otton, Henry, and a rookie with MVP-level quarterback Drake Maye would be a dream combination. Mike Vrabel should make it happen.