With just Matt LaCosse and Ryan Izzo at the position, the Patriots obviously could use some help at tight end in this draft. Whether or not they will find it is the real question.
It's a very weak crop as far as impact players, but there are several who should be NFL players for many years with development.
The question the Patriots will be asking themselves is, Are these players better than what we have with LaCosse and Izzo?
The answer might very well be no.
Sure, players like Adam Trautman, Chase Claypool (as a TE and not a WR), Albert Okwuegbunam, Stephen Sullivan and Chase Harrell offer some upside down the line, but nothing that jumps out and says the Patriots need to target them or trade for them.
Just look at this chart that compares the measurables of LaCosse and Izzo when they were in the draft to the top prospects in this one:
[table id=436 /]
Not much of a difference.
There's no question the Patriots need more from the tight end position. But considering the injuries to both LaCosse and Izzo, and the trust factor that is now gone with Tom Brady elsewhere, the Patriots might just think they have good enough already on the roster.
Ranking the top TE prospects through a Patriots lens:
1. Adam Trautman, Dayton (6-5, 255, 4.80, Round 2-3): Best all-around TE in the group because he has athletic upside. His three-cone of 6.78 is off the charts for the position. Gets in and out of routes quickly and brings a suddenness in the pass game. Willing blocker and his powerful at times, but needs a lot of refinement as you can see in the Senior Bowl footage below. A way better athlete than Cole Kmet. Tough to cover one-on-one. Did not look out of place at the Senior Bowl against much better competition.
2. Cole Kmet, Notre Dame (6-6, 262, 4.70, Round 1-2): Pro-ready Y TE and a really big guy who looks the part, but he doesn't excel in any area. Solid pass catcher with good hands, and an able and willing blocker. Just not dynamic catching the ball. Has potential as a blocker but is far from refined. Best asset is he's tough to tackle. Here's the thing: Kmet basically tested the same as current Patriots TE1 Matt LaCosse (6-6, 257, 4.71). So would the Patriots consider him an upgrade? His ceiling is as a Kyle Rudolph-type, but it's not a guarantee he gets there.
3. Chase Claypool, Notre Dame (6-4, 238, 4.42, Round 2-3): A receiver for the Irish and a lot of NFL teams, but we're projecting Claypool as a TE. He does not play to the timed speed and is more of a gatherer of speed. Projects as a Travis Kelce-type at the TE position. Blocking was fine for a WR, but will need to be upgraded for the TE position in an offense like New England's. Caught 66 passes for 1,037 yards and 13 TDs as a senior. Long arms, big hands. Breaks a lot of tackles. Would be an average WR, but could be special as a TE.
4. Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri (6-5 1/2, 258, 4.49, Round 3-4): Looks the part with a pro-ready body with long arms and with the look of an athlete who could dominate. But is limited on the field, sometimes due an apparent lack of effort. An adequate blocker who at his best in the red zone on jump balls. Often was the isolated receiver in goal to go and would exploit matchups. Caught 23 touchdowns in three years. Has the biggest upside of anyone in this group if it clicks for him. Had a much better season with Drew Lock as QB.
5. Harrison Bryant, FAU (6-5, 243, 4.73, Round 3-4): Plays very similar to Trautman but doesn't play as big. Also, did not test well with 7.41 in the three-cone and just a 9-2 broad jump. Only TE to finish with over 1,000 yards receiving. Much nastier as blocker than as a receiver. Will likely be limited on the offensive end. Projects as an H-back and the type who could fill as a FB.
6. Devin Asiasi, UCLA (6-3, 257, 4.73, Round 4-5): Michigan transfer is a solid, all-around player who like many others doesn't have that high of a ceiling. Appears to play very smart and can adjust quickly on the field. A gamer who knows how to play. Unimpressive body type. Shows a lot of lean on routes, which isn't great. Questions about his maturity and he had a three-game suspension for violating team rules in 2018.
7. Hunter Bryant, Washington (6-2 1/8, 248, 4.74, Round 4-5): Undersized for the position and didn't do much blocking in college. Ran a lot of screens and scoops. A good receiver — gets off the line and into his routes quickly. Solid three-cone of 7.08. A lot of injury concerns, and scouts question his mental and physical toughness.
8. Colby Parkinson, Stanford (6-7, 252, 4.77, Round 4-5): Not sure why he's not more of a factor in this class. Has more potential than Kmet due to athletic ability. Has very good releases off the line and has the look of an all-around athlete. Great hands. Not much of a blocker — the Cardinal had him detached from the formation a lot and brought in another TE to block. Needs to get a lot stronger. Nothing after the catch. Team captain, 7.15 three-cone.
9. Brycen Hopkins, Purdue (6-4, 245, 4.66, Round 5-6): Projects as a faster Ryan Izzo. Doesn't have much bulk or heft to his game. Almost solely a flex TE who gets out on his routes quickly and threatens the seams. A poor man's Zach Ertz. Averaged 15.0 yards per catch in his career. Three-cone of 7.25 is not good.
10. Thaddeus Moss, LSU (6-2, 250, n/a, Round 5-7): Went to five different high schools and was originally an NC State player. Very limited speed and playmaking ability, and doesn't offer much blocking. Most of his catches were from uncovered patterns. Needs a lot of development, on and off the field.
PROJECTS
Cheyenne O'Grady, Arkansas (6-4, 253, 4.81): Has a lot of upside with work but was suspended in 2018 and kicked off the team last year. Huge character risk but could be very cheap risk as 7th round pick or UDFA.
Stephen Sullivan, LSU (6-5, 248, 4.66): Former receiver only caught 12 passes last season in first year at TE. Has much room to grow and a great athletic base.
Chase Harrell, Arkansas (6-4, 257, 4.53): Former Kansas receiver has had a tough few years with his brother shot and killed in front of him, and later had a DUI. Only caught 7 passes in two years at Arkansas. But he had a great pro day and tested off the charts with a 6.76 three-cone drill. Looks the part of an NFL starter. Would be a great priority UDFA.
BEST OF THE REST: Dalton Keene, Virginia Tech; Sean McKeon, Michigan; Charlie Taumoepeau, Portland State; Jacob Breeland, Oregon; Ahmad Wagner, Kentucky; Kyle Markway, South Carolina; Mitchell Wilcox, South Florida.