A look at some tight end prospects the Patriots might have their eyes on in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The New England Patriots did make some investments in their tight end position already this offseason, but they might not be done just yet. For one, they need all the dynamic playmakers and high-upside talent they can get their hand on. They also only have three tight ends on their roster at the moment, and the only two with NFL production thus far will turn 30 during the upcoming season.
Before looking into the draft prospects who might appeal to New England’s decision makers, a look at how the tight end group currently stacks up:
- Hunter Henry (85) | Opening day age: 29 | Contract: Signed through 2026
- Austin Hooper (81) | Opening day age: 29 | Contract: Signed through 2024
- La’Michael Pettway (46) | Opening day age: 27 | Contract: Signed through 2024
Team captain Hunter Henry signed a three-year, $27 million contract extension earlier this offseason to stay in New England and resume his role as the team’s No. 1 tight end. While he is a lock to make the roster alongside free agency acquisition Austin Hooper, the depth behind them is suspect: La’Michael Pettway, he of zero NFL games, is the only other player.
Improving the depth for 2024 will be important given the group’s current composition. Obviously, though, the long-term aspect of building the position will be the primary goal when looking at this year’s draft through a tight ends lens.
And there are plenty of options who offer what the Patriots might be looking for in Year 1 of their rebuild.
Ja’Tavion Sanders (Texas): Sanders does not fit the traditional in-line tight end mold, but his traits are nonetheless intriguing. He is a dynamic athlete whose smooth movements make him a promising move option at the next level. | Expected round: 2
Theo Johnson (Penn State): With his ability to run seams and crossers while being a threat in the red area, Johnson has the potential making of a high-end TE2. His versatility, speed, and blocking potential all can make him an asset from early on his career, though. | Expected round: 3-4 | Draft profile
Ben Sinnott (Kansas State): Capable of wearing several hats, Sinnott projects as a move tight end at the next level. As such, he would be a rotational second or third option early in his career with the upside to become a true chess piece for an offense. | Expected round: 3-4 | Draft profile
Cade Stover (Ohio State): Stover may never become a true difference maker at the next level, but he has the makings of a solid all-around contributor from Day 1. A well-sized player with good functional athleticism, the two-time captain brings a blue-collar attitude to the tight end position. | Expected round: 3-4
Jared Wiley (TCU): Wiley is not just a massive human who has shown he can use his 6-foot-6, 249-pound frame to his advantage, but also a solid overall athlete. His movements tend to be a bit robotic at times, and he would benefit from playing with more of an edge as a blocker, but the potential is there. | Expected round: 4-5
Tip Reiman (Illinois): Reiman is a relatively one-dimensional player right now, and would need time to reach his potential. That said, his blocking prowess is already legit and he also offers a good athletic foundation to take the next step as a receiver. | Expected round: 5-6 | Draft profile
A.J. Barner (Michigan): The 6-foot-6 Barner could be a potential red zone threat from early on in his career. While he needs to add to his frame to improve as a blocker, his natural length and versatility within the tight end position are appealing on Day 3. | Expected round: 5-6
Erick All (Iowa): All’s health is a question mark after he underwent spinal surgery in 2022 and suffered a torn ACL in 2023. If green-lighted, however, he has the well-rounded skillset as both a receiving option and a blocker. | Expected round: 5-6
Dallin Holker (Colorado State): His time at BYU was odd; he disrupted his college career for a two-year church mission and later left the team just three games into the 2022 season before transferring to Colorado State. He is a natural athlete, however, and could develop into a quality complementary No. 2. | Expected round: 5-6
Tanner McLachlan (Arizona): McLachlan is on the older side after already turning 25 in March, but he has good size and moves well in the open field. He is not the most polished player, but can be a steady contributor as a rotational receiving option with some upside still as a blocker. | Expected round: 6-7
Brevyn Spann-Ford (Minnesota): Spann-Ford is not just experienced after appearing in 60 games during his college career, but also a well-built prospect at 6-foot-6, 260 pounds. He projects as a classic Y-tight end whose ceiling will depend on his ability to string positive plays together as both a pass catcher and a blocker. | Expected round: 6-7
One prominent name is absent from this list: Georgia’s Brock Bowers, a projected top-15 selection in the first round. While Bowers offers explosive playmaking ability and is a possible No. 1 tight end and featured pass catcher from early on in his career, the Patriots likely would have to trade down from the third overall pick or make a big move up from the 34th to get him. Given their superior needs in other areas — quarterback, left tackle, X-receiver — such a move seems unlikely.
But even beyond the top tight end in this year’s draft, there is plenty of talent to be found. For the Patriots, who will likely not shy away of taking a gamble on a developmental option at the position, this should come in handy.
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