Patriots Draft Profile: Stanford TE Sam Roush Would Bolster In-Line Blocking

With the 2026 NFL Draft fast approaching, the New England Patriots are expected to add some much-needed depth at tight end.

In what has already been heralded as a draft class deep in “tight endage” talent, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has been quite vocal on his intentions for adding players with the potential of being the right fit for coordinator Josh McDaniels’ offense. As a matter of fact, he may be looking to add as many new prospects to the Foxborough fold, as possible.

"I love 'em. Give me nine of 'em," Vrabel told reporters at the NFL's Annual Meetings earlier this week. "Bring me as many tight ends as we can get."

While the ‘HC of the NEP” may have been playfully joking, there is a great deal of truth in his intentions to bolster his team’s production at the position. Much to New England’s advantage, this year’s draft landscape is packed with pass-catching tight ends — players capable of making a difference in the aerial attack of several teams in need of such productivity. Still, there are more than a select few who are also proficient as blockers. In fact, Vrabel believes that prospects of this type, could be found into the fourth and fifth rounds.

One player Patriots Nation would be smart to keep on their radar is Stanford Cardinal tight end Sam Roush.

Sam Roush Would Add Toughness, Athleticism to the Patriots Offense

Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Stanford tight end Sam Roush (TE21) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Roush has a standout college career at Stanford from 2022 to 2025. He became a starter during his sophomore year in 2023. Last season, he achieved second-team All-ACC honors — starting all 12 games in 2025, catching 49 passes for 545 yards and two touchdowns. For his career he had 119 receptions for 1,201 yards and four touchdowns.

Though his pass-catching statistics may not leap off the page, Roush stands out as one of the few in-line blocking tight ends available in this class. Aligning primarily at the “Y” position, the 22-year-old can make cut-off blocks in zone and combo blocks in gap schemes. He is also an above average pass protector, making him a potential asset for Patriots quarterback Drake Maye.

When deployed in the field, the 6-foot-6, 267-pound tight end is at his best when utilizing the intermediate area of the field, particularly against teams with difficulty defending it. Roush is successful when finding space sitting down in soft zones, as well as utilizing flat combinations. When teams attempt to neutralize the middle of the field by taking away slot targets underneath, he often finds room to operate in some catch-and-run situations over the middle. Though he would require additional work on his evasiveness when playing underneath, he is described as a fast-learner — a trait which should help him improve his route tree and catching prowess in McDaniels’ offense.

Although New England’s tight ends positional group is in good hands with team captain Hunter Henry at the helm, the free agency loss of TE2 Austin Hooper to the Atlanta Falcons — coupled with the fact that Henry is on the unfortunate side of 30 years of age — places the position under the draft spotlight. The Patriots added former Miami Dolphins tight end Julian Hill via free agency in March

With the Patriots expected to increase their usage of 12-Personnel [aligning two tight ends] in 2026, they would help to solidify a position which will continue to play a major role in Maye’s development. Any new additions will join a tight endage positional group which consists of Henry, Hill, C.J. Dippre, Marshall Lang and Jack Westover — who plays a hybrid tight end/fullback role.

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