Tight end sounds like a major priority for the New England Patriots, based on all the free agent rumors we’ve heard about them and the position.
And it makes perfect sense. The Pats have exactly one tight end under contract for 2024: La’Michael Pettway. They originally signed Pettway to the practice squad in December, then promoted him to the 53-man roster with a two-year deal in January.
MORE: Ranking the top-10 free-agent wide receivers of 2024
According to Jeff Howe at The Athletic, the Patriots have three top priorities in free agency, in this order: wide receiver, offensive tackle, and tight end. The receiver market has dried up some, with multiple top options getting the franchise tag or signing new deals. At tackle, meanwhile, they could be in play for the top guys available.
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If the Pats still want to find a solid starting tight end, there are multiple names to watch in free agency – including their own guys. However, it’s not sounding great for their chances to re-sign Hunter Henry. Bottom line, they’re going to need to field competitive offers to land someone good. For this particular team, it’s going to come down to paying up.
The Patriots were previously linked to Dalton Schultz, but he came off the market after signing a new deal with the Texans. But they’ve also been linked to other notable names on track to hit the open market. Here’s a roundup of Patriots free agent rumors at tight end…
Hunter Henry
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 07: Tight end Hunter Henry (85) of the New England Patriots celebrates after a touchdown reception in the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on December 07, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Let’s start with the latest on Henry, thanks to a comprehensive new report at MassLive. The simplest option for the Pats would be to re-sign their team captain from 2023, but according to the report, they’re “far apart on an extension.”
So, expect Henry to test the open market. He could still be a candidate to return, though, if he’d be willing to give the Patriots a chance to match his best offer.
Austin Hooper
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 22: Austin Hooper #81 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs with the ball after a reception against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 22, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Hooper may be the most intriguing name left for the Patriots among the free agents. That’s because he has familiarity with Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, who coached him on the Cleveland Browns in 2020 and 2021. Per MassLive, Hooper could be a “name to watch” for New England.
Hooper averaged 49 catches, 457 yards, and four touchdowns per 17 games with the Browns, and showed his capabilities as a No. 1 tight end during his time with the Falcons. He may not be quite the same player, but he’d make for a solid signing for a team in need of A tight end, ANY tight end, like the Patriots.
Harrison Bryant
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 03: Harrison Bryant #88 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 03, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Bryant makes this list because he’s also a name worth knowing due to his work with Van Pelt. Bryant played all 17 games for the Browns last season, but was stuck behind David Njoku on the depth chart. He caught just 13 passes for 81 yards.
He did, however, manage to catch three touchdowns with that target share, so perhaps there’s still upside and he’d be in for more production with a bigger role on the Patriots.
Pharaoh Brown
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 24: Pharaoh Brown #86 of the New England Patriots scores a touchdown in the second quarter of a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 24, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Another internal option, and one that was a pleasant surprise in 2023. Brown caught 13 passes for 208 yards and a touchdown, but that was off minimal expectations, so it wouldn’t be the worst move to bring him back.
Brown wouldn’t, however, qualify as a starting-caliber tight end, which the Patriots undoubtedly need. But he’d be affordable, and has shown he can be a dependable backup for whoever’s in front of him as the starter.
Other names to know…
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 23: Noah Fant #87 of the Seattle Seahawks runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on November 23, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Noah Fant would make sense as an athletic pass-catching tight end for Van Pelt’s offense. Other free agents-to-be at tight end include Gerald Everett, Irv Smith Jr., Colby Parkinson, Adam Trautman, Will Dissly, and Drew Sample.
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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. Check out all of Matt’s content.
