The New England Patriots need a major overhaul almost everywhere. Head Coach Mike Vrabel will be in charge. One position that will provide fewer headaches for Head Coach Mike Vrabel is one that’s often overlooked: the tight ends.
It’s one spot the Patriots don't need a complete overhaul. There aren’t many you can say that about, except quarterback. Yet, the Patriots will need to address the position, especially if one solid but not spectacular free agent is not re-signed.
Let’s look at this unusually relatively well-stocked position and see what it may look like in 2025. An addition or two may be necessary, but the starter is in place and he’s a very good NFL
tight end.
The Patriots current tight end room is lacking serious depth
The Patriots' tight end room starts with a proven, solid, productive tight end in Hunter Henry. It is hard to believe Henry is entering his fifth season in Foxborough. During his four years, it can be argued that no pass-catcher of any kind has been more reliable than Henry.
The big tight end has averaged about 50 passes per season and has scored 19 touchdowns. All that came with questionable quarterback play for two-plus years.
He’s a bona fide NFL tight end and would be welcome on any NFL roster without much thought. He
had 66 catches for 674 yards and two touchdowns in 2024. He'll anchor the position and be back for his age-30 season in 2025.
The back-up, Austin Hooper, is a free agent who’ll likely be re-signed. Hooper spent 2024 in Foxborough and acquitted himself well. He notched 45 catches for 476 yards and three TDs in 2024. Added to Hunter's production, you have more than 100 catches and 1000 receiving yards. Other than QB, no position will be better situated.
Patriots need to add a young tight end in the draft
After Hunter and Hooper (if re-signed), who’ll both be 30, tight ends on the roster include 2024 seventh-round pick Jaheim Bell, an H-back type, Jack Westover, and Mitchell Wilcox. None of the three will cause much excitement.
At a minimum, the Patriots must bring in at least one tight end in the draft, preferably in the middle rounds. Round five may be about right since with so many other needs, they will probably not
invest more heavily in tight ends in the 2025 draft.
Possibilities in the middle rounds include: Gavin Bartholomew from Pitt (38 catches, 322 yards, 4 TDs); Luke Lachey from Iowa (28 catches for 241 yards); and Moliki Matavao from UCLA (41 catches, 506 yards, and two TDs). A favorite here, if the Pats decide to invest a higher pick, is Terrance Ferguson of Oregon, who had 43 catches for 591 yards and three scores. That’s not likely.
Assuming the team re-signs Austin Hooper, the tight end room will probably begin the offseason with the following players: Henry, Hooper, Bell, a couple of camp players, and a rookie like Matavao from UCLA. Whoever fills out the unit, if Hooper is re-signed, the tight end will be one of the strongest on the team.