This week we are looking at the TE group.
Tight Ends
Hunter Henry
Henry had a good start to his Patriots career and lived up to the salary he commanded as Free Agent. His stat line was 50 receptions, 603 yards, 12.1 yards per catch (YPC), and a career-high of 9 TDs in the season. Of his 50 catches, 34 produced 1st downs. Henry will look to improve upon his 66.6% completion percentage this season.
Jonnu Smith
Smith was the opposite of Henry, as he incurred the wrath of Patriots fans when he didn’t live up to the Free Agent contract and the fan’s expectations. His paltry stat line of 28 catches for 294 yards, 10.4 YPC, 1 TD, and a 62.2% completion percentage. The completion % was better than I thought it would be. It appears from OTAs and Mini-Camp that Smith feels more comfortable in the offense. He made several big catches during the media portion of camp
Devin Asiasi
Asiasi provides solid blocking from the TE position. However, he doesn’t offer much in the way of catching the ball. In fact, Asiasi had no reception in 2021. He only had 2 in 2020. It appears the team may go with only 2 TEs. Asiasi is going to have a hard time making the team. I know the TEs play a big part in Special Teams and that may be his saving grace.
Dalton Keene
What a huge disappointment Keene has been. “Rambo”, the nickname he had coming out of college, has been Missing In Action. He has always been hurt and not on the field. During Mini-camp it was noted that Keene was running with the rookies and scout team. Not a good sign for the 3rd year Pro. I don’t have him making the team.
Matt Skol
Skol has bounced around the league since going undrafted out of Michigan State in 2019. He originally signed with the Chargers then Jacksonville in 2019, Lions Practice Squad, then the Chargers again. He appeared in one game for the Chargers. Back to Jacksonville for the 2021 season on Practice Squad. At the start of the 2022 season, he signed a futures contract with the Detroit Lions but was waived in March when the Patriots signed him The 6’6” 260 lb TE ran a slow 4.87 40 and 7.35 3-cone drill. Sokol caught a TD pass in his 1st start at Michigan State and in his last game. Former Patriot QB Brian Lewerke threw both TDs. His high was 21 catches in 2017. He missed 4 games injured as a senior. I will have an open mind about Skol until I see him play. The big question is will the Patriots keep 2 or 3 TEs?
Morse’s Morsels
Patriots signed Darryl Williams C formerly of Kansas City to the roster. The Williams signing brings the roster to 87. This is a depth signing for camp. It will give Williams an opportunity not only for the Patriots Practice Squad but a chance to get on tape and in a joint practice with Las Vegas. Getting on film will expose him to all 31 other teams. Williams played collegiately at Mississippi State and was an Undrafted Free Agent in 2020. He spent the last two years on the Chiefs Practice Squad. He was released on Tuesday by KC. At the 2020 combine, Williams stood 6’2.3”, 304 lbs, and ran a 5.23 official 40 but was clocked at 5.13 Handheld. He participated in the East-West Shrine game and practices. Another depth move for the Patriots.
Patriots Red Alternate Uniform Will Be Back in 2022
Pat Patriots and the old Red Uniforms will be back this season. I have always liked the old uniforms and I am glad we will get to see them once again. Reminds me of where this franchise has come from when we were not a good team. Makes me appreciate what has taken place over the last 21 years.
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Merrimack Valley native and lifelong fan of the New England Patriots. My earliest memories of the Patriots were attending as a child with my dad, the off-season practice at Phillips Academy. I was at the Patriots game at Harvard Stadium in 1970 where Bob “Harpo” Gladieux was called out of the stands by the stadium announcer over the PA to play in the game. Analyzing the draft since ESPN first started to televise it in 1980 and former writer for the Lowell Sun Newspaper.
