The New England Patriots have made additions in droves over the last two seasons since Mike Vrabel signed on as the head coach. Players like A.J. Brown, Kevin Byard, and Alijah Vera-Tucker were added this offseason, while last offseason saw the likes of Milton Williams, Robert Spillane, and Carlton Davis added to the ranks.
While big-ticket free agents and highly drafted players fuel the team, adding strong depth is still a priority every offseason. While some players are signed to be depth pieces, quality players can be discovered unexpectedly, as the Patriots found last year.
Last season, K'Lavon Chaisson recorded 10.5 sacks across the regular season and playoffs despite signing a one-year deal worth just $5 million, including incentives.
The team signed Cory Durden to their practice squad and later to their active roster after he spent preseason with the Giants, and he finished with the second-highest pass rush win rate of any defensive tackle in football.
Free agency is an opportunity for the Patriots to add the finishing touches to their roster, and through a certain former Chargers tight end, they have the opportunity to do exactly that.
Tucker Fisk could be exactly what the Patriots' offense needs this season
The Patriots' tight end room got quite the facelift this offseason. The team signed Miami's Julian Hill to a three-year deal before drafting Notre Dame's Eli Raridon in the third round and giving Illinois' Tanner Arkin the most guaranteed money of any UDFA during the Mike Vrabel era.
While Hunter Henry remains the starter, the depth of the position took a major hit after Hill was placed on season-ending IR at the beginning of June with a knee injury. Raridon will have a larger role than expected to make up for his loss, but the team is likely to carry a third tight end.
Arkin is an option, along with last season's fullback, Jack Westover, and 2025 UDFA C.J. Dippre. While each player would have merit as the TE3, Tucker Fisk could be a better option.
While Fisk doesn't offer much as a receiver, he'd be a tremendous addition as a blocker. Last season, Josh McDaniels deployed two fullback sets with nose tackle Khyiris Tonga and Westover in the backfield. While Fisk isn't Tonga's size, he's massive for a tight end: 285 pounds.
Adding that much tonnage to the tight end room would do a world of good for a team that ranked 7th in run-play percentage last year's regular season.
Fisk played a key role as a blocker for the Chargers last season, playing 251 offensive snaps, 86.5% of which came as an in-line tight end. The Chargers' top three rushers (Kimani Vidal, Omarion Hampton, and Justin Herbert) averaged a healthy 4.7 yards per carry with the help of Fisk.
As mentioned previously, the 27-year-old doesn't pose much of a receiving threat. He has just ten catches for 67 yards in his career, and last season had two grabs for 19 yards.
Fisk would be an inexpensive addition to the tight end room that would offer a veteran blocker in the wake of Julian Hill's injury. While his signing wouldn't make headlines, he would help establish the running game for a team with a Super Bowl window.
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