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New England Patriots

New England Patriots

New England Patriots

Patriots adding another veteran tight end to the mix

By Matt Dolloff
Anthony Firkser of the Tennessee Titans scores a touchdown against the New England Patriots in the 2019 AFC Wild Card game at Gillette Stadium. (Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)

Tight end is becoming one of the most interesting positions to watch for the New England Patriots.

Hunter Henry is back for his third season and will be in a contract year. He’s been a solid addition and should continue to be under Bill O’Brien in 2023, but after him there are only unknowns. Mike Gesicki has upside as a pass-catcher, but it’s purely question marks after that.

Their newest addition at tight end should have a chance to answer some of those questions.

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  • The Patriots are signing another former Tennessee Titans tight end, Anthony Firkser, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss. In most cases, Firkser wouldn’t be too notable of a name to his new team, but he should ring a bell to Pats fans who watched him catch a touchdown against them in the 2019 Wild Card round.

    The Titans ultimately won that game 20-13 at Gillette Stadium, in what turned out to be Tom Brady’s final game as a Patriot. So, Firkser would qualify as the newest “Patriots killer” to end up signing with New England.

    Firkser most recently played for the Atlanta Falcons in 2022. He played 11 games with one start, and caught nine passes for 100 yards while playing 21 percent of offensive snaps.

  • NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 11: Anthony Firkser #86 of the Tennessee Titans jumps to catch a pass from Marcus Mariota #8 while defended by Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

    Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

  • Though Firkser hasn’t panned out as a pass-catcher, he’s been a capable blocking tight end. In 2022, he posted the ninth-best pass-blocking grade at the position (80.3), per Pro Football Focus. He’s lined up in the slot on the majority of his passing down snaps (64.1 percent) in his career.

    Firkser will take the field at Patriots OTAs as, at best, the No. 3 tight end on the roster. He’s in the mix with the returning Matt Sokol and Scotty Washington, as well as undrafted rookie Johnny Lumpkin, for snaps at TE after Henry and Gesicki.

    There should be an opening for Firkser to get work as an in-line blocker, but if he wants to catch passes, he’ll have a tough time getting looks over Henry or Gesicki, let alone out-performing them.

  • READ MORE:

    — Patriots hit for ‘meeting violation’
    — Pats announce new jersey numbers
    — Patriots sign another rookie contract

  • The Patriots will hold their first open practice for media on Wednesday, May 31. We’ll be there for 985TheSportsHub.com and will watch the tight ends closely.

    Click here for complete New England Patriots coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

    Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.

NEXT: Patriots docked multiple OTAs due to ‘meeting violation’

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