Film Room: Ignore Austin Seferian-Jenkins from 2018 - the '17 version has a chance with Patriots

When it comes to whether or not newly signed Austin Seferian-Jenkins can help the Patriots in a post-Rob Gronkowski world, there are two things to keep in mind.

No. 1: With the way his contract is structured, as reported by NFL Media, he's really going to have to earn his way onto the team — much like most Patriots free agents. A minimum salary benefit contract is about the lowest rung on the contract pole, and symbolizes a player who is just looking for a chance to prove himself.

And, No. 2: Ignore the 2018 version of Seferian-Jenkins who played with the Jaguars. Focus on the player who played 2017 for the Jets. We'll show you why:

It didn't take very long looking at his '18 film to ask: "Was he hurt? That's not the same guy I remember against the Patriots."

It turns out that even before he went on injured reserve in Week 6 that, yes indeed, Seferian-Jenkins was playing through an injury — the type that saps an athletic tight end of most of his power. Seferian-Jenkins reportedly played all five of his games dealing with a core injury that was likely two hernia tears. That would match up with what he put on film last season.

Seferian-Jenkins was extremely slow getting off the line, had little burst down the field and couldn't move laterally. A recent Patriots comp would be Alge Crumpler in 2010 with a little less movement. Yes, Seferian-Jenkins was that bad. But you have to give him credit for toughing it out. A lot of guys would have shut it down. Indicates he's a good teammate.

Take a look for yourself:



Now, let's compare that to the Seferian-Jenkins who played 2017 with the Jets. It wasn't quite night and day, but it was along those lines. He could get down the field, did a nice job at the top of his routes, and was an all-around decent tight end. He gave Patrick Chung and Devin McCourty some issues in their matchups.

A Patriots comp for the 2018 version of Seferian-Jenkins would be a poor man's Martellus Bennett. Not quite the athlete Bennett was, but along the same lines. Mostly a flat and out route runner, but smart and knew how to function in a Patriots' style of offense.

Take a look:



Is Seferian-Jenkins going to come in and light the world on fire? Probably not. He has much to prove in terms of where his health is at and whether or not he can maintain it.

But if the 2017 Seferian-Jenkins shows up to the Patriots, he has a chance to compete, pending what else New England do at the position in the draft or via trade.

All depends on his health.