Hunter Henry has been a model of consistency at the tight end position since entering the NFL. What's unfortunate is that he's been on some not-so-great teams with the Chargers and the Patriots.
Thanks to a revamped New England roster and coaching staff, Henry should have a chance for one of his better seasons in 2025. Josh McDaniels is one of the best offensive minds in the game and knows how to utilize tight ends in his schemes, and Henry should be a viable safety valve across the middle for Drake Maye.
But is Henry not getting the respect that he deserves among his peers?
According to Pro Football Focus, Henry ranks dead in the middle of the pack, 16th among starting tight ends. The likes of Jonnu Smith are ranked ahead of Henry.
Could these rankings provide Hunter Henry with motivation for the 2025 season?
Unsurprisingly, PFF ranked San Francisco's George Kittle as its top tight end heading into this season. As steady as Henry has been - he has four 600-yard seasons and only 18 drops since 2019 - could he ascend into a top-10 tight end before this season is over?
Don't be shocked if that happens.
For one, Henry has a potential superstar at quarterback who will make better decisions in his second year than he did as a rookie. And that likely includes utilizing Henry as a safety valve.
Thanks to the presence of Stefon Diggs, Henry will likely see a lot of one-on-one coverages down the middle of the field, and McDaniels will likely find ways to get Henry the ball outside of the passing game.
Henry doesn't have the flash of someone like Kittle, but he has the intelligence and the combination of speed and strength needed to be a top-tier tight end in this league. Expect him to fly under the radar a bit this year and be one of the league's top tight ends, and perhaps silence some doubters around the league.