Ranking Patriots' tight end position
Tight end may have been the most talked about position leading into the draft and free agency, and with good reason. When future Hall-of-Fame tight end Rob Gronkowski announced he was retiring in mid-March he effectively left a huge void at the tight end position.
Many Patriots fans hoped they would select the tight end of the future in the 2019 NFL Draft. But the draft came and went without the team using a single pick to address the position. Instead, New England opted to make their moves in free agency as they went out and signed four tight ends in Ben Watson, Matt LaCosse, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, and undrafted rookie free agent Andrew Beck.
After the first day of Patriots mini-camp, it was announced that the team was releasing ASJ so he could take time to work out some personal issues. An interesting move for a team that has more questions than answers at the tight end position. This leaves the Patriots with five remaining tight ends on their roster that fail to inspire much confidence in the group. That being said, let's take a look at how the current position stacks up heading into training camp.
5.) Andrew Beck (UDFA)
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The Patriots picked up tight end Andrew Beck shortly after the conclusion of the 2019 NFL Draft. Beck started in all 14 games in his senior season and was named first-team All-Big 12 for his efforts. The former Texas Longhorn recorded 28 receptions for 281 yards and two touchdowns in his final collegiate season. Not gaudy numbers by any means, but Beck was more known for his ability as a blocker rather than a receiver. It's worth noting that Beck received the most guaranteed money out of all the Patriots undrafted free agents.
Verdict: Although Beck received the most guaranteed money out of all the undrafted free agents, he still faces tough odds to crack the final 53-man roster. Beck would be a valued addition in the run game as a blocker, but his receiving ability as a tight end is extremely limited. Texas only asked Beck to run short routes (curls, hitches, quick outs, and flares to the flat) so it is questionable if he is able to stretch the field as we've seen out of former Patriots tight ends. Beck will likely be competing for a spot on the practice squad.
4.) Ryan Izzo
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Ryan Izzo might be one of the best blockers among all five of the tight ends currently on the Patriots roster. Like Beck, Izzo is a bit limited in his ability as a receiver as the former Florida State tight end only caught 20 balls his senior season for 327 yards and three scores. That being said, his production at FSU was worthy enough for the Patriots to select Izzo in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Izzo spent the entirety of last season on the injured reserved list, so he'll be looking to prove himself heading into training camp.
Verdict: Izzo finds himself behind three tight ends with more NFL experience which already puts him at a disadvantage to make the roster. Couple that with the fact that he is not as accomplished of a receiver as the other tight ends on the roster. He is a great blocker, but that may not be enough to stick around on the active roster. Izzo still has practice squad eligibility and that is likely where he will end up after training camp.
3.) Stephen Anderson
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The player that most benefitted from the release of ASJ may have been former Texans tight end, Stephen Anderson. New England added Anderson to the practice squad after the Texans waived him just before the start of the 2018 regular season. Anderson had shown promise in his second season with Houston, as he recorded 25 receptions, 342 yards and a touchdown in primarily a reserve role in 2017. Instead of letting the former undrafted free agent build upon this production, the Texans decided to let him go. Anderson essentially played slot receiver at the University of California, so his ability as a pass catcher is his greatest asset.
Verdict: Anderson has proven that he is good enough to play at the NFL level when given an opportunity. We know he is athletic enough as he posted a 4.63 40 time and 38-inch vertical prior to the 2016 NFL draft. With Ben Watson being suspended the first four games of the 2019 season, coupled with the release of ASJ, Anderson's chances of making the active roster just substantially increased.
2.) Matt LaCosse
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New England wasted no time in signing free agent Matt LaCosse, agreeing to terms with the former Broncos tight end just a day after free agency began. The team offered LaCosse a two-year, $2.8 million contract that included $500,000 in guaranteed money. ASJ only received $50,000 in guarantees which might mean that the Patriots were a bit higher on LaCosse. His 2018 numbers weren't anything to write home about (24 receptions, 250 yards, and a touchdown) but the fact the Patriots felt they needed to secure him early in free agency says a lot about how much they wanted LaCosse.
Verdict: As of right now LaCosse projects to be the starting tight end for New England when the team opens up at home against the Pittsburg Steelers on September 8th. If LaCosse is able to play well enough in Watson's absence then he may be able to assume starting duties the rest of the way. Something worth noting is that this past season was LaCosse's first real taste of NFL action. In 2018, LaCosse appeared in 15 games for the Broncos starting five of them. In the two seasons before that, he only played in seven games combined.
1.) Ben Watson
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Many Patriots fans were feeling nostalgic when the team decided to bring back Watson on a one-year, $3 million contract less than a month ago. Why wouldn't they? Watson was selected with the team's first-round pick in 2004 (32nd overall) The team went on to win the Super Bowl that year in case you forgot. After Watson won a Super Bowl in his rookie season with the Patriots, he went on to play a big part in the team's success for the next five seasons. Watson signed with the Cleveland Browns after the 2009 season where he played for the next three seasons. After stints with the New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens, and the Saints again, the 38-year-old tight end finds himself back in New England where it all began.
Verdict: Even at 38-years-old, Watson may be the most talented tight end on the roster. He has a previous rapport with Tom Brady which means assimilating himself in the offense should be relatively seamless. The only issue with Watson is that he will be serving a four-game suspension to start the 2019 season after testing positive for PEDs. Watson claims that New England knew of the looming suspension before signing him, so this is something the Patriots saw coming. When Watson is able to return in Week five against the Washington Redskins he should expect to assume the starting role.
Bonus video of Ben Watson chasing down Champ Bailey in the 2005 AFC divisional round against the Denver Broncos:
Yeah, I still think it should have been a touchback too.
