2026 Draft: Tight Ends

[manxman2601]

Um....

We get it: but his numbers for a Five year player is below pedestrian. I am going to go out on a limb and say CJ Dippre have more upside.

RONG! Oscar Delp had horrible QB's and excels at Blocking something we Need.

 

[PatsFan2]

Um....

Don't know what you're getting at but Nate Boerkircher should go UnDrafted. Delp is a Sure Third Rounder in my book: I hated the way they used him at Georgia.

 

[manxman2601]

Don't know what you're getting at but Nate Boerkircher should go UnDrafted. Delp is a Sure Third Rounder in my book: I hated the way they used him at Georgia.

You dismissed Boerkircher for his pedestrian numbers but then endorsed Delp who has hardly set the world alight with his sub 1,000 career yards.

 

[manxman2601]

I was looking at Rob Gronkowski's RAS today and three things jumped out at me.

Hand size - 10.750
Arm length - 34.250
10 yard - 1.58



Needless to say, there is no-one like that in this draft class although there is one not too far removed. Let me be clear, I am NOT comparing him to Gronk, he's smaller for one thing. But on those three measures specifically, he's about as close as it can be putting aside Gronk's vine-like arms.

Nate Boerkircher

Hand Size - 10.500
Arm Length - 32.6
10 yd - 1.58

Throw in a 7.03 3-cone too.

his run blocking grade is on par with Kacmarek, although I prefer Kacmarek's blocking tape.

Boerkircher is definitely added to my list of desirable TEs.

Raridon comes pretty close too.

 

[PatsFan2]

You dismissed Boerkircher for his pedestrian numbers but then endorsed Delp who has hardly set the world alight with his sub 1,000 career yards.

We know what held Delp back it's not a mystery anymore. I hope either He and Roush are Patriots after Draft Day 26.

 

[manxman2601]

We know what held Delp back it's not a mystery anymore. I hope either He and Roush are Patriots after Draft Day 26.

What held him back? His QB? Now do Marcel Reed.

 

[manxman2601]

Brugler on Boerkircher:

"With just 19 career catches entering 2025, Boerkircher wasn’t a name talked about among scouts, but he changed the narrative throughout his final season. He consistently makes himself available mid-route (an underrated skill), and his targets almost always turn into completions, regardless of placement or coverage. As a blocker, he is surprisingly reliable with his leverage for a taller blocker, generating power from his lower half."

 

[PatsFan2]

What held him back? His QB? Now do Marcel Reed.

Naw our QB situation is a strength. Our Third QB can live on our Taxi squad.

 

[PatsFan2]

Brugler on Boerkircher:

"With just 19 career catches entering 2025, Boerkircher wasn’t a name talked about among scouts, but he changed the narrative throughout his final season. He consistently makes himself available mid-route (an underrated skill), and his targets almost always turn into completions, regardless of placement or coverage. As a blocker, he is surprisingly reliable with his leverage for a taller blocker, generating power from his lower half."

You're pimping him to "Mr. Irrelevant" status now?? I still think he goes UnDrafted.

 

[manxman2601]

You're pimping him to "Mr. Irrelevant" status now?? I still think he goes UnDrafted.

He definitely won't go undrafted. Round 4 is likely, 5 at the latest.

 

[PatsFan2]

He definitely won't go undrafted. Round 4 is likely, 5 at the latest.

I would be upset it was by us he doesn't move the needle for me.

 

[DaBruinz]

Naw our QB situation is a strength. Our Third QB can live on our Taxi squad.

Great job missing the point, @PatsFan2. The point that Manx was trying to make is that A&M's offense didn't exactly include the TE either. In fact, their TEs were targeted a total of 61 times over the season with Boerkircher having 22 of targets and catching 19..

Now, MY knock on Boerkircher is that he should have better stats from his final year at Nebraska to his Year at A&M because of his age. Being that he'll be 25 not long into the NFL season compared to Delp who will only be 23.

 

[manxman2601]

Great job missing the point, @PatsFan2. The point that Manx was trying to make is that A&M's offense didn't exactly include the TE either. In fact, their TEs were targeted a total of 61 times over the season with Boerkircher having 22 of targets and catching 19..

Now, MY knock on Boerkircher is that he should have better stats from his final year at Nebraska to his Year at A&M because of his age. Being that he'll be 25 not long into the NFL season compared to Delp who will only be 23.

I am not saying Boerkircher is as good as Delp, I have him a round behind.

 

[Rdforty2]

Every generalization is wrong, including this one. There are always exceptions. Kittle was the 5th round, for the 5th to 7th rounds I think it is OK to gamble. I am not gambling on Delp in R2 to R3. Different situation. Just me.

I know what you mean. But its not like Kittle is the only one.

Juwan Johnson and Darren Waller didnt even play TE in college.

AJ Barner, Dalton Schultz, Cade Otton, and Dawson Knox were 3rd or 4th rounders that didnt produce much in college.

TE production in college is affected by so much. It really is down the list of what matters. Run first offense, bad QB, what other TE's and WR's around you, etc all matter.

I get not wanting to take a Delp in the 2nd round. But at 95, its not much higher than a 4th round pick. Im not going to be bothered by them picking the TE they like the most, just because he didnt have great college numbers. While Im personally a fan of Delp, Roush, and Raridon(not saying all should be considered at the same draft spot), Im not going to be upset if they opt for Klare, Klein, or Endries instead. All are talented players and have their positives, and IMO, the stats dont even factor into it.

 

[DaBruinz]

I am not saying Boerkircher is as good as Delp, I have him a round behind.

Never thought you were saying it. I was pointing out the obvious fact that A&M didn't use their TEs efficiently just like Georgia doesn't.

 

[mgteich]

I don't see us drafting a TE in the first 3 rounds; the value is scarce. I suspect that we also pass in the 4th, focusing on the defensive front seven

The board at 125 could surprise, or not.

 

[manxman2601]

I don't see us drafting a TE in the first 3 rounds; the value is scarce. I suspect that we also pass in the 4th, focusing on the defensive front seven

The board at 125 could surprise, or not.

I’d be very surprised if we wait until after the 4th but they have spoken on the depth so maybe.

 

[Rdforty2]

I don't see us drafting a TE in the first 3 rounds; the value is scarce. I suspect that we also pass in the 4th, focusing on the defensive front seven

The board at 125 could surprise, or not.

It'll certainly depend on how the draft unfolds.

But Id be very surprised if they waited until the 5th to take a TE. Personally, i do think value will be there in the 3rd and 4th.

 

[JoeSixPat]

I’d be very surprised if we wait until after the 4th but they have spoken on the depth so maybe.

Normally I'd say the 4th round is a good value spot for finding a pass catching TE

If they take one later, so be it but seems to me they beat that mid draft rush of TEs and get the guy they want/expect to be there

TE's a priority for me but I think they get better value with other positions in the 3rd

I appreciate this thread though and the focus on guys we expect to be there in round 3-5 as that's probably the target

 

[scott99]

Just because they signed a blocking TE (Hill can catch the ball too) doesn't mean the Pats are going to draft a guy who puts little effort into blocking.

One of the things you seemed to miss about Vrabel's statements in regards to players is versatility. They want players on the field who won't telegraph what's coming. Koziol being on the field would telegraph that it's a pass play. That's a lack of versatility.

Koziol also doesn't fit the definition of "violent" player. Which has been one of the words tossed around by Vrabel and other members of the Pats Staff for this off-season. Koziol is not quite the epitome of "Built like Tarzan, plays like Jane", but not far from it.

Once again, people always talk about things in the absolute. Like they think there’s no possibility to get better at certain skills. I’m not saying Koziol is a must, but he does have certain skills at this moment that would be a great player to land in the 4th or 5th round. He gives you a mismatch because of his size and skill.

Bottom line, the Pats need a talented, as well as hopefully explosive pass catching TE with Henry’s days being numbered. If they can get one that’s both explosive pass catching and passable blocking, I’d be happy grabbing him.

This is a deep drag as far as TE’s being pretty athletic and explosive. I believe there were 9 TE’s that ran a 4.70 or less at the combine. And then Delp ran a 4.49 at his pro day on a recovering broken foot. I just want ONE of these guys to groom into Henry’s eventual replacement.