Just a few days ago, the New England Patriots lost one of their 2026 free agent signings for the season as tight end Julian Hill suffered a season-ending knee injury in a recent practice. Now that Hill has been placed on injured reserve, some wonder if the team will go out and add another body to their tight end room.
Asked after practice Wednesday, about the possibility of doing so, head coach Mike Vrabel had this to say:
"Just from a numbers standpoint in camp, that's probably somewhere where we'll have to evaluate the numbers...that's probably somewhere we'd have to address."
After hearing Vrabel opening the door to adding another tight end to the roster, one cannot help but wonder whether or not they'll opt to go big. And, if they decided to shoot high, then one former Josh McDaniels draft pick might be the perfect trade target.
The Patriots have every reason to pursue a Michael Mayer trade
Ever since the Las Vegas Raiders drafted Brock Bowers, you have heard Michael Mayer's name come up in trade whispers. To this day, Mayer hasn't been moved. But, now might be the perfect opportunity.
For the Patriots, it makes sense even beyond the Hill injury.
First and foremost, Hunter Henry is 31 years old and in the final year of his contract with the Patriots. There's certainly a possibility he is back next season, but the Patriots would also likely want to find a tight end of the future.
Maybe, Eli Rairdon is that guy. He definitely has the athleticism. But, in today's NFL, teams are utilizing far more multiple tight end sets and New England would be best serve to get with the program. A great way to plan ahead would be to go after someone like Mayer, which would then make it easier to move on from Henry.
Mayer is in the final year of his rookie contract as well, and the likelihood Vegas brings him back is slim to none. In three seasons with the Raiders, Mayer has totaled 83 receptions for 788 yards and three touchdowns. Granted, the Raiders have stunk. But, Bowers has gotten the lion's share of tight end targets the past two years.
Coming out of Notre Dame, Mayer was one of the best tight end prospects of his class. And, he just so happens to be a pick made while McDaniels was the head coach in Las Vegas. He would slide right into Henry's role next year, after of course signing a new deal with the Patriots. But for now, he and Henry would pack a formidable one-two punch at the position.
The Patriots already went out and added A.J. Brown as a top-tier target for Drake Maye. Imagine if they were to go even further all-in on a second-straight Super Bowl appearance by adding Mayer to the fold.
He hasn't yet been utilized as much as he should have been, but in New England, there's no doubt Mayer would be. If the Patriots could get him for, let's say, a fifth and a seventh-round pick, why wouldn't they do that?
Again, Vegas is going to lose him next year regardless, so this could be the perfect time for New England to swoop in.
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