2025 Tight Ends

[jmt57]

While none of the five roster bubble tight ends have distanced themselves from their competition, I do believe the third tight end roster spot will be important this year. Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper will both turn 31 this season, an age where the accumulation of a lifetime worth of hits and tackles begins to take its toll on the body. The third tight end will be destined to see some relevant time due to an inevitable injury, beyond just being a special teams player.

It's one of several positions worth keeping an eye on in the two joint practices this week, and Saturday afternoon's game.



Gee Scott Jr
6'3, 238
Age 24, 2025 UDFA
Gets a plus for position versatility (insert snicker here)
47 receptions, 393 yards, 4 TD, 8.4 ypc in five years at Ohio State




Jack Westover
6'3, 250
Age 26, 2024 UDFA
Could be used as a FB as well
Spent most of 2024 on Pats practice squad
87 receptions, 849 yards, 7 TD, 9.8 ypc in five years at Washington




C.J. Dippre
6'5, 256
Age 23; 2025 UDFA
65 receptions, 782 yards, 3 TD, 12.0 ypc in four years at Maryland/Alabama




Cole Fotheringham
6'4, 245
Age 27; 2022 UDFA
Three seasons on Raiders and Texans practice squads
52 receptions, 526 yards, 3 TD, 10.1 ypc in four years at Utah




Jaheim Bell
6'2, 241
Age 24; 2024 7th round pick
15 games, 83 offensive snaps, 176 ST snaps in 2024
95 receptions, 1,260 yards, 13 TD, 13.3 ypc in four years at South Carolina/Florida State

2024 NFL Scouting Combine: Quarterbacks and Tight Ends Recap

Zachary Krueger recaps some quarterback and tight end performances at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.

www.nbcsports.com

Florida State’s Jaheim Bell is one of only seven tight ends to rank in the top 15 in YAC/REC and MTF% since 2021. I won’t wax too poetically on Bell, but in addition to his strong college production, the hyper-athletic tight end also turned in a strong combine.​

Bell’s 4.61 40 time tied for the third-fastest time among tight ends this year, while his vertical and broad jumps ranked in the top five. A quick look at his RAS, and it’s easy to see Bell is an athletic freak at the tight end position.​

Bell’s biggest problem at the next level could be his size and run blocking. Neither is considered ideal for a traditional tight end. As mentioned in my previous article, Bell should draw plenty of NFL interest as more of a “big slot.” His performance at last week’s combine has only reinforced that belief.​

 

[DaBruinz]

Not sure what's going on with Dippre. I mean. I've seen NOTHING on him from the beat reporters.

 

[mgteich]

I think that Westover is almost a lock. He is both a FB and a TE.

 

[TheRainMaker]

I'm going with two TE's of Henry and Hooper.

 

[signbabybrady]

I think it's between Westover and Bell. I lean toward Westover.

 

[mgteich]

I'm going with two TE's of Henry and Hooper.

Yes, and do you favor Westover to fill a FB roster spot?

 

[RobertWeathers]

HH, Hooper, and TE/FB Westover.

They'll need to invest in this position next year

 

[JoeSixPat]

Westover currently gets the third spot but TE/FB is another area where I think Vrabel/McDaniels/Wolf will be scouring the cuts of other teams.

No one is really leaving room for those types of signings on their roster predictions right now but I think there will be some surprises.

I also wonder if there's some swap value among certain players on the Pats cut list - i.e. if you can swap Duggar for a backup TE from some team, you'd love to do it.

The Pats actually do have more than a few guys that other teams SHOULD value (Cole Strange) who may not make the team here - but when you're coming off a season as bad as the Pats it can be tough to generate a ton of interest in one's castaways.

 

[varjao]

It's been a little disappointing

 

[TommyD4207]

HH, Hooper, and TE/FB Westover.

They'll need to invest in this position next year

It's a better TE class next year.
In my mind, this year's class was Arroyo and GenericWhiteTEFromTheBig10thatyouthinkwillhave80catchseasonsbutonlyevertopsoutat45.

 

[RobertWeathers]

It's a better TE class next year.
In my mind, this year's class was Arroyo and GenericWhiteTEFromTheBig10thatyouthinkwillhave80catchseasonsbutonlyevertopsoutat45.

Tyler Warren is going to light it up for the Dolts

 

[WhatJustHappened]

We'll see.

 

[Pape]

Which one has the ability/skills to be used as a H Back?

That is the one we should hang on to

 

[TommyD4207]

Tyler Warren is going to light it up for the Dolts

Meh. He'll put up 60 catches and they'll go 6-11, because they don't have a QB who can throw over 10 yards. His absolute ceiling is Hunter Henry. And we already happen to have Hunter Henry on the roster.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Meh. He'll put up 60 catches and they'll go 6-11, because they don't have a QB who can throw over 10 yards. His absolute ceiling is Hunter Henry. And we already happen to have Hunter Henry on the roster.

Yes- he'll get his catches but like the Hollins thread it's not all about catches. It's run blocking, pass blocking, etc. He's a pretty well-rounded player.

 

[PatsFan2]

It's been a little disappointing

We could get all of them after HH and Hooper on our PS.

 

[BobDigital]

I assume if one makes it Westover, and one probably will make it. But it is very possible they decide to carry only 2. Is there anyone at TE who won't slide to the PS? I don't think so. So it's all about what they want to do. And frankly i don't see the 3rd TE playing much if at all.

 

[PatsFan2]

I assume if one makes it Westover, and one probably will make it. But it is very possible they decide to carry only 2. Is there anyone at TE who won't slide to the PS? I don't think so. So it's all about what they want to do. And frankly i don't see the 3rd TE playing much if at all.

Really a guy who has no stats but he's a lock?? Our Third TE or FB maybe on some other team at Cut downs. Our current guys battling for the #3 TE or FB spots are all PS eligible.

 

[mgteich]

I assume if one makes it Westover, and one probably will make it. But it is very possible they decide to carry only 2. Is there anyone at TE who won't slide to the PS? I don't think so. So it's all about what they want to do. And frankly i don't see the 3rd TE playing much if at all.

I don't that you can be our starting FB all season and not be on the 53-man squad.

 

[JoeSixPat]

I don't that you can be our starting FB all season and not be on the 53-man squad.

Although I think the Week 1 roster is one thing, and the Week 2 -17 for players they can get to non-guaranteed salaries.

There've been a bunch of guys shelved until the following week who wind up sticking with the team all season.

If McDaniels has his heart set on bringing back FB, then Westover is worth keeping on the roster. To me 3rd string TE is primarily an extra blocker anyways, but I'd love to see FB an active position again.