We complete our training camp positional preview series by looking at the Patriots' tight end. Not an exciting group, but professional, with a hint of upside.
Signed: Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jaheim Bell, La’Michael Pettway, Mitchell Wilcox, Jacob Warren
Professional but slightly underwhelming. That's where I'm at with this tight-end group. And that's ok. As we've noted repeatedly in this space, this is a multi-year rebuild, even if Drake Maye ends up as the next Josh Allen. Expecting Eliot Wolf to take this roster from 4-13 to 13-4 in one off-season is fantasyland, and even assuming they could get to 10 wins is one of those "I'll have what he/she is having" situations. As such, tight end was handled smartly.
Re-upping Henry was a relative no-brainer. He gives the Pats cost certainty at the position ($16 million in total guarantees) and, they hope, consistency. Though he hasn't been able to put up the same numbers he did in his first year with the franchise (50 rec/603 yds/9 TDs in 2021), Henry is reliable in many ways, from his hands and route running to his effort and reliability. I had him as the Pats second highest-graded pass catcher (trailing only Pop Douglas). In addition, Henry remains the team's best red zone threat (6 TDs last year), using his athleticism and savvy to create windows in tighter spaces or just subtly using his ass to box out unwitting defenders.
There's also the off-field component. I don't care if you're sick of me writing this, but Henry's willingness to take the podium after every loss — before his coach could be bothered — will be part of his legacy here. There's no question that the locker room appreciated his acting as a human shield. The bad vibes from last year had worn on Henry, and I opined that he might want to change. Instead, he doubled down on his commitment to the organization.
"I have a lot of pride in this organization; I wanted to be here," Henry said this spring. "I love this area. I love this fan base. I love this organization.
"I didn't like how last year went - how the last two years have been. I wanted to be a part of that change, and it will be cool to be a part of the 'new era' here in New England."
Henry, who will turn 30 in December, might not be in his prime, but as Jerod Mayo and Wolf look to build a foundation for their new program, the tight end is as good of a pillar as they could have.
He'll most certainly be joined by Hooper, who the team signed to a one-year deal this offseason. There's enough guaranteed money in the deal ($2.4 million) to make me think the well-traveled Hooper would have to fall flat on his face this summer to not make the 53-man roster.
Nothing from him this spring was noteworthy, except for a 'how did he not catch that' drop in mandatory mini-camp. But Hooper played in the Kevin Stefanski/Alex Van Pelt system in Cleveland during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, giving him excellent knowledge of what the Pats' first-year offensive coordinator wants to do and experience doing it. Hooper's not going to provide you with Pharoah Brown vibes, but he's been a reliable pass catcher and a willing, if not consistently successful, blocker.
Beyond that, the hope is that 7th-round pick Bell develops into a versatile chess piece, both as a move tight end and occasionally fullback. It's only hope, people, but there are certainly some NFL traits: speed and strong hands. Bell isn't much of a blocker - think Mike Gesicki - but he has the frame to improve in that regard, and I expect that's part of the messaging from position coach Bob Bicknell - you will only get the rock if you block.
Beyond those three, there's Pettway, Wilcox, and Warren. The first two showed up a number of times in the spring. In fact, Pettway had one of the best catches we saw (and then a dreadful drop). There may not be a roster spot on the 53 for either, but you don't have to get ready if you stay ready...or so they say. They are practice squad candidates, and with a good showing this summer, they might provide an extra layer of depth.