Countdown to camp: TEs -- Rob Gronkowski leads deep positional group

With Patriots camp set to open Thursday, we wanted to reset the roster at each position and give you a few things we’ll be keeping an eye on down in Foxborough. Today, we take a look at the tight ends.

It was an eventful offseason for Rob Gronkowski, but the big fella is back for another season in New England. As for Dwayne Allen and his oversized contract, there could be some movement there, but for the moment, we’ll pencil him in as the No. 2. They’re ably backed by Jacob Hollister, Troy Niklas, Will Tye, Ryan Izzo, Shane Wimann, and James Develin. (Yes, we know Develin is technically a fullback, but he practices with the tight ends, so we'll include him as part of this group here.)

No. 1: Rob Gronkowski


The good: One of the best in the history of the game at his position, he’s an overwhelming offensive force when he’s healthy. An excellent blocker, he has a terrific connection in the passing game with quarterback Tom Brady, and could become Brady’s favorite target ever this season. (Check out this list of all-time regular-season catches via Brady.)

[table id=62 /]

Bottom line? He’s second only to Brady in terms of overall value to the team.

The questionable: His health. He nearly went wire-to-wire last year, but the simple truth of the matter is that he hasn’t played a full 16-game regular season since 2011. It remains to be seen if any of the offseason drama with the coach — either having to do with his contract or otherwise — will carry over into the regular season.

Skinny: If he can stay on the field, there’s every reason to believe the Patriots will have one of the best offenses in the league.

No. 2: Dwayne Allen

The good: One of the best blocking tight ends in the game, there are times where he’s capable of functioning as an extra tackle. As a result, he might be called upon to help with the development of first-year offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn if the Patriots decide to put the rookie at left tackle to open the season.

The questionable: He has little-to-no connection with Brady when it comes to the passing game — a guy who always had decent pass-catching skills earlier in his career had just 10 receptions last season with the Patriots. There’s also the matter of his contract, which likely needs to be reworked.

Skinny: An excellent complementary part of the offense — at his best last year, he reminded me a little of Alge Crumpler when he spent his one season with New England — if they can work out a new deal, he would be a very nice second tight end for this team in 2018.

No. 3. James Develin

The good: One of the best fullbacks in the league, he can clear a path with the best of them. Can flex wide and serve as an occasional option in the passing game. Basically, he’s one of the best in the NFL at what he does — all while offering special teams value (he played 168 special-teams snaps in 2017, 10th-best on the roster).

The questionable: There’s not much bad here, especially when you consider he’s coming off a Pro Bowl year. Maybe the fact that he’ll turn 30 this month, which means it’s reasonable to wonder just how much he has left in the tank? Other than that, for what they ask him to do, he does it pretty well.

Skinny: You could make a case that given his skill set, his background in the offense and his salary, Develin is one of the more secure guys on the roster right now. And you just might be right.

No. 4: Jacob Hollister

The good: The youngster had a few impressive series of spring practices. And after a year where the undrafted 6-foot-4, 245-pounder was at the back end of the depth chart, he appears to be one of a handful of second-year players who could make the leap to semi-regular if everything breaks right this summer.

The questionable: It’s going to be tough to compete for receptions with the likes of Gronkowski and Allen ahead of him on the depth chart. His blocking is still a little shaky.

Skinny: Hollister needs some things to go his way when it comes to playing time and scheme and the like, but he’s earned more reps this summer. It’ll be interesting to see if he can rise to the challenge.

No. 5: Troy Niklas

The good: Occasional starter for the last four years in Arizona who could serve as a cost-effective No. 2 in New England for the short term.

The questionable: Struggled to stay healthy. Not sure if it was just because he’s a bigger, slower guy or whether it was because he was in a new offense, but he looked a step behind in spring workouts.

Skinny: The 6-foot-6, 270-pounder could conceivably be in line for more work if issues arise with Allen. But if nothing happens, he might have a hard time cracking the 53-man roster.

No. 6: Will Tye

The good: He’s 26, had a combined 90 catches for 859 yards in 2015 and 2016 with the Giants, and has always been fairly healthy. How is this guy still only a practice squadder in New England?

The questionable: He has yet to take a significant snap in the regular season for the Patriots, so we really don’t know what he might be capable of in the New England offense.

Skinny: A back-end-of-the-roster possibility, with the chance to see an expanded role this summer if something happens to someone ahead of him on the depth chart.

No. 7: Ryan Izzo

The good: The 6-foot-5, 255-pounder had good production at a high level as a tight end at Florida State — he had 54 career receptions for 761 yards and six touchdowns. He runs well

The questionable: A seventh-round pick, he has a tall mountain to climb when it comes to playing time.

Skinny: The good news for Izzo? Hollister was a UDFA last year out of a school not nearly as competitive as Izzo's and he made his mark at a deep position. No reason to think Izzo doesn’t have the same ability to overcome in him. The bad news? Hollister is ahead of Izzo on the depth chart.

No. 8: Shane Wimann

The good: Excellent production at the college level — this 6-foot-4, 250-pounder had 65 catches for 635 yards and 17 touchdowns in his college career, including seven last season with Northern Illinois.

The questionable: He’s a rookie UDFA with a lot of bodies in front of him on the depth chart.

Skinny: Practice squad.