TE

[BelichickFan]

So what do you think we're going to do at TE ? The quick answer is to draft a couple. My question arises, though, because in the small period that Gronk and Bennett were both healthy they didn't play at the same time as much as we expected. We'll never know how that might have changed had they both stayed healthy.

The only time we really played a 2 TE offense was in the days where Gronk and the other guy had truly different skill sets. Obviously we need a backup TE if Bennett leaves. But the idea of getting a co-starter with Gronk and a backup is probably misguided unless we can get a David Njoku type who would bring a totally different skill set to TE.

(Also I think while they both played lots of formations, I think O'Brien was a bigger fan of the 2 TE offense and Josh prefers the 3 WR offense).

 

[50-yard-line]

If the rising hype on OJ Howard is for real (I don't know the guy's work) AND they trade Garropolo, maybe he's the pick?

 

[archstanton543]

What a great thread title.

 

[BelichickFan]

If the rising hype on OJ Howard is for real (I don't know the guy's work) AND they trade Garropolo, maybe he's the pick?

I love Howard but that's kind of my point. He's a classic TE and based off of this year I'm not sure they'd play Gronk and Howard together as much as we think - in which case a lower round pick (with upside) as a really good backup would probably make more sense.

 

[Wordsmyth]

What a great thread title.

What a useless, snarky remark.

 

[archstanton543]

What a useless, snarky remark.

Not really. There's already a bunch of threads talking about the TE situation going into next year. This one just has the initials of the position with no other information as to what the conversation is or where it's going.

 

[Kontradiction]

Not really. There's already a bunch of threads talking about the TE situation going into next year. This one just has the initials of the position with no other information as to what the conversation is or where it's going.

I know. It's insane. You would think that a thread titled "TE" would contain more so the thread viewer knows that he or she is about to enter into a discussion about the tight end position.

 

[BelichickFan]

Anyone have any input on this ? I'm legitimately curious as I think the 2 TE offense was used less than expected in the short time it was available.

 

[Marqui]

They have a bunch of holes on defense and the best TE in history, and they're going to spend their highest draft pick on a TE?

 

[patriot1136]

I wouldn't mind drafting a TE but are there any good free agents available?

 

[Kontradiction]

They have a bunch of holes on defense and the best TE in history, and they're going to spend their highest draft pick on a TE?

They also have a ridiculous amount of cap space available to fill said holes on defense and it's a draft that's loaded with TE's. The team may not need to invest a first in the position, though. They may be able to get Njoku with their second or even take a later round flyer on Butt who would have otherwise been a first rounder if not for that injury.

 

[BelichickFan]

They have a bunch of holes on defense and the best TE in history, and they're going to spend their highest draft pick on a TE?

Lots of mocks have the Patriots taking a TE. Remembering the Gronk/Hernandez days and probably thinking of Bennett being gone - but, again, I don't think we used Gronk/Bennett together as much as we expected when we traded for Bennett.

 

[Marqui]

Lots of mocks have the Patriots taking a TE. Remembering the Gronk/Hernandez days and probably thinking of Bennett being gone - but, again, I don't think we used Gronk/Bennett together as much as we expected when we traded for Bennett.

I don't really get what the obsession is around here with the "dominant 2 TE offense". The Patriots have never won a SB with that offense. The last 2 SBs they won were using a 3WR 1 TE offense. Sure the 2 Elite TE offense is pretty cool and if you happen to get another elite TE like Hernandez/Bennett with a 4th round pick might as well use it. But there is no need to spend great resources trying to chase that setup.

 

[The Gr8est]

Lots of mocks have the Patriots taking a TE. Remembering the Gronk/Hernandez days and probably thinking of Bennett being gone - but, again, I don't think we used Gronk/Bennett together as much as we expected when we traded for Bennett.

Injuries played a role in that. I'm sure the Pats wanted to use them both together much more than they did.

 

[Ring 6]

So what do you think we're going to do at TE ? The quick answer is to draft a couple. My question arises, though, because in the small period that Gronk and Bennett were both healthy they didn't play at the same time as much as we expected. We'll never know how that might have changed had they both stayed healthy.

The only time we really played a 2 TE offense was in the days where Gronk and the other guy had truly different skill sets. Obviously we need a backup TE if Bennett leaves. But the idea of getting a co-starter with Gronk and a backup is probably misguided unless we can get a David Njoku type who would bring a totally different skill set to TE.

(Also I think while they both played lots of formations, I think O'Brien was a bigger fan of the 2 TE offense and Josh prefers the 3 WR offense).

Good points.
I think people need to put aside that Gronk is Gronk.
While we have always made TE a priority, because its the one position on offense that more than any other makes you multiple and creates mismatches, we can run this offense with anywhere from decent JAGS as long as they can block to pairing 2 studs in a 2 TE base.

This offense is adjusted to the players available, so if we have 2 great TEs we will take advantage of that, if we have one or none, then we will go a different route.

I think the best way to look at it is that a second, top level, TE is a want, along with many others, but not a need, and how the team shapes up depends on which wants are filled and which are not.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

They have a bunch of holes on defense and the best TE in history, and they're going to spend their highest draft pick on a TE?

1. Odds that best TE ever is healthy 1st 2 months of 2018? If not we have zero credible TE if Bennet goes.
2. Pats teams have drafted TEs in the 1st round

All said, I would not want to see a pick in the top 50 going to TE. FA should make this so.

 

[Wordsmyth]

Not really. There's already a bunch of threads talking about the TE situation going into next year. This one just has the initials of the position with no other information as to what the conversation is or where it's going.

And...?

Leave the pedantic behavior to all the Hatriots out there, bub.

 

[scott99]

Very deep year for TEs in the draft. And a few decent FA TEs as well. I think Bennett is gone, so I can see the Pats being active. Unless they think Gronk, Lengel and Housler are enough.

I really like Howard and Njoku in the 1st round and Engram in the 2nd. Wouldn't be surprised if the Pats wind up with one of them. Jeremy Sprinkle and Jordan Leggett are two others I like in the 3rd round and later.

As far as FA TE's, I like Gresham or Cook, I like Gavin Escobar as a possible cheap signing.

 

[thecore762]

OJ Howard is gonna be a beast in this league, he will be gone in top 15-20 picks, even at 12 I doubt he stays on the board for teams that have a QB....
With that said I'd like a pass rusher if we do get the 12th pick, then I'd use our 2nd 1st round pick on a solid lineman for our offense, ideally a replacement for Andrews or even Vollmer. We need to improve our O-Line so we can run the ball more effectively. If we get a high enough 2nd round pick then I'd invest that in a linebacker and another safety if Harmon goes.

 

[Tony2046]

I don't really get what the obsession is around here with the "dominant 2 TE offense". The Patriots have never won a SB with that offense. The last 2 SBs they won were using a 3WR 1 TE offense. Sure the 2 Elite TE offense is pretty cool and if you happen to get another elite TE like Hernandez/Bennett with a 4th round pick might as well use it. But there is no need to spend great resources trying to chase that setup.

Having at least two capable TE's is important to the offense if only for the sake of having one healthy one.

Not sure how to measure replacement value for Bennett but he was clearly hobbled throughout the year. Can they find a comparable replacement in the draft?

Anyways I don't think it's all about running the two TE sets rather making sure we have at least one healthy or capable TE on the field. The ability to run two TE sets is the bonus.