Let's talk TEs

Irv Smith and many are like a big receivers rather than the TEs we want. I would rather find the solution else where. Many thought ASJ and Ebron were the next Gronk and turned out that there was no next Gronk.

Okay,I know Gronk “announced” his retirement but did he officially file the paperwork??

reamer said:

Moreau and Wesco I still quite like.

Click to expand...

Keenen Brown. If they draft him and Omenihu i will lost it.

Rudolph is going to get traded at some point, hopefully here

TommyBrady12 said:

Rudolph is going to get traded at some point, hopefully here

Click to expand...

Are you OK with taking on a $7.6 million cap hit for essentially a one year rental???

It also might show some confidence in Ryan Izzo or Jacob Hollister staying healthy.

BobDigital said:

The Draft is pretty much over at this position. I don't believe there to be a single playing with starting upside left. I like this draft overall but I am dissapointed with how this played out. I hope they have something in the wings.

They could go to a more traditional offense but that plays away from Brady's strengths as he's a match up based QB right now more than anything. Having a TE he can use to exploit and manipulate the D is big. Any thoughts on his spot?

I think at this pont going WR makes a lot more sense. Try to get mismatches within that group with different skill sets, shapes and sizes.

Click to expand...

Gronk is going to play I feel.

DarrylS said:

Are you OK with taking on a $7.6 million cap hit for essentially a one year rental???

Click to expand...

Obviously not. They’re going to have to rework his contract.

If he is still around when the Pats have their 4 7th picks, Zack Gentry from Michigan could be interesting. He is 6'8" with good hands(former QB) and could use some time in the weight room and work on his blocking technique, but I think he is worth a look.

I really never understood this after Gronk TE panic. They won games incl. SB with him and they won games incl. SB without him. I love Gronk and he was one of the rare difference makers in the game - but his absence has little to do with Pats success going forward .
(besides - they were trading him before last season and he can still return..)

It is not about replacing him - they will just find a way to play without him - like they many times did - and that doesn't necessarily mean through a dominant TE play..

As for this TE draft class there was one outstanding prospect in Hockenson that went to Detroit Pats at #8 and then at least 10 deep second tier TEs with different strengths and weaknesses & nothing much separating them imo. Never understood the Sternberger hype etc.

From those next tier TEs there are still at least a few on the board: @reamer likes Moreau, i like Kaden Smith and Nauta (two of my favourites actually), and some others as well.

There are strong blocking TEs with some dual threat/RZ potential like Blanton, Sweeney.. some interesting low key names like Raymond, Beck, Hentges, Sokol with core ST potential .. some interesting measurables in Mack, Gentry, Parham, Dillon...

The bigger issue is there is no real dependant veteran TE on the roster and i still expect they will address this . so ideas of Rudolph, Watson etc seem plausible to me..

BobDigital said:

The Draft is pretty much over at this position. I don't believe there to be a single playing with starting upside left. I like this draft overall but I am dissapointed with how this played out. I hope they have something in the wings.

They could go to a more traditional offense but that plays away from Brady's strengths as he's a match up based QB right now more than anything. Having a TE he can use to exploit and manipulate the D is big. Any thoughts on his spot?

I think at this pont going WR makes a lot more sense. Try to get mismatches within that group with different skill sets, shapes and sizes.

Click to expand...

I think you are right in that any of remaining TE are huge question marks and obviously BB does not see this as a priority....so they will either take one later or just pick one up as UDFA.....I like the idea of another WR early in 4th....I’m not thrilled with Dorsett overall and Edelman is at age where possible injuries are really common.....I think like you are alluding to we traded out of positions where incredible talent was on the board and our trade partners snatched them up....but of course BB is the greatest of all time and knows what he wants and makes it work year after year so....onto day 3!

TheRainMaker said:

Who?

Click to expand...

Jack meoffer?!

Chevrolet said:

They were never going to replace Gron's impact with any draftee.
Only 2 top flight TE prospects Fant and Hockeson were BOTH out of reach for Pats in first round.

Some players will be released post draft and they have Anderson on Practice Squad and they signed Lacosse.

Expect LaCosse, ASJ and Izzo will be 3 TE's on the roster on opening day


Offense will be more run heavy this year and not so dependent on big pass plays from TE.
Big chance for ASJ to shine

Click to expand...

Well don’t forget Hollister too....he’s just coming off of his latest trip to IR and is ready to go.....oh wait a minute ....breaking news....he cracked his glass ribs after sneezing!!! #%^*!!!

I mentioned this last month when they were desperately trying to sign Jared Cook (and they still had Gronk) that you got they sense they didn't rate this TE class as highly as the media. Beyond Hockenson I don't think there was a true two way tight end in the draft. Bill isn't likely to spend a high pick on a guy who can't do both.

I still like Moreau as one of the few who might be able to do it but even he is limited on the receiving end. I think a trade for a veteran seems more likely at this point or simply bringing Ben Watson back.

In Bill's mind I wonder whether he actually thought Sternberger, Smith et al were actually that much better than Jacob Hollister as a receiving weapon.

TommyBrady12 said:

Obviously not. They’re going to have to rework his contract.

Click to expand...

Agree. Only way he comes here is getting the $ to 1/2 if what his current deal is

I'm fine with Isaac Nauta from Georgia. Best blocking TE in the SEC. Reunite him with, Wynn and Sony.

Vatahala said:

It also might show some confidence in Ryan Izzo or Jacob Hollister staying healthy.

Click to expand...

Something about Izzo I really like. Not a playmaker really but I think has the ability to do everything well....not great, but well

robertweathers said:

Agree. Only way he comes here is getting the $ to 1/2 if what his current deal is

Click to expand...

I think 5m would be a fair place. Hell just convert some of it incentives and give him a shot at earning it all back with a great season.

As always good luck making them agree to a paycut.

luuked said:

I think 5m would be a fair place. Hell just convert some of it incentives and give him a shot at earning it all back with a great season.

As always good luck making them agree to a paycut.

Click to expand...

Yeah 5m seems fair. Not as good of a blocker as Allen but 10x in the passing game

robertweathers said:

Yeah 5m seems fair. Not as good of a blocker as Allen but 10x in the passing game

Click to expand...

$5 million for 700 yards, 5-6 TDs is reasonable. We're never going to get Gronk production (8-10 TDs, 1000 yards) plus excellent blocking out of anyone.