New England Patriots: 5 players who need to win fans over in 2018

Dwayne Allen has to do something

The New England Patriots are set at the tight end position unless injury strikes Rob Gronkowski.

That’s where Dwayne Allen comes in.  With just 10 receptions for 86 yards in 16 games played, the veteran tight end was a minor disappointment for the Patriots in 2017.  Compared to what Martellus Bennett did a season prior, there was a little more expectation from Allen in the passing game.

This season, the team does have second-year tight end Jacob Hollister to pick up some of the slack, but it would be nice if Allen showed some of the playmaking skills he demonstrated during his tenure with the Indianapolis Colts.

In taking a pay cut and primary due to his blocking skills, Dwayne Allen did survive to make the 53-man roster this season, but he knows he has to be better.  He also knows it will take mental toughness to find success and ignore the noise when things aren’t going well.

"“One of the things we stress here is mental toughness,” Allen said, as transcribed by the Providence Journal.  “If I can’t be hard on myself, then who can be hard on me?  I think it starts with me. “The expectations for myself mean more to me than any other expectations on myself.  So I need to step up to the game and execute to my own expectations.”"

Although fans may not appreciate his blocking skills, catching a few balls in key moments will definitely gain him some points.