With Rob Gronkowski retiring, the New England Patriots need for a tight end or two in the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft has certainly become a priority.
The last time the New England Patriots successfully selected a productive tight end was back in 2010 when they drafted Rob Gronkowski out of the University of Arizona.
There was also a guy named Aaron Hernandez, but Gronkowski turned out to be Bill Belichick’s most successful draft selection ever. Now, following Gronk’s retirement, the Patriots head coach must identify a player or two in the 2019 NFL Draft who could find his own success.
With a current depth chart that has newly acquired veteran tight end Matt LaCosse as the Patriots top pass-catching tight end from a season ago, the defending Super Bowl champions certainly need to address the position in the draft.
In having 12 picks to play with, there is no doubt the team will select one or even two of a very talented field of tight end prospects. They won’t replace Rob Gronkowski, but the hope is to find a player who can fit in the system and be effective within the offense to at least help fill that void.
Giving Tom Brady another big target wouldn’t hurt either.
Here are three tight end prospects the New England Patriots should target in the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft.
3. Irv Smith Jr., Alabama
When it comes to a combination of speed, route running, blocking and winning, look no further than Alabama product Irv Smith Jr.
In producing 710 receiving yards on 44 catches in his final season with the Crimson Tide, Smith Jr.’s 16.3 yards per catch and seven touchdowns made him one of the top SEC offensive players.
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At 6-foot-4, 241 pounds, his size, athleticism and physicality make him a player the New England Patriots should definitely target in the second round, although most NFL mock drafts have him going at No. 32 to the Patriots.
As a top tight end prospect who is not getting as much attention as Iowa’s Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson, Smith does have room for growth since he has only started one year at Alabama. His combined skills along with that untapped potential makes him an intriguing prospect for the defending Super Bowl champions.
Another key factor is that he has played under Nick Saban who happens to be a good friend of Bill Belichick. There is no doubt the two great football minds have talked about Irv Smith Jr. and how he may fit the Patriots current need at tight end following the retirement of Rob Gronkowski.
2. Jace Sternberger, Texas A&M
If the top three tight end prospects are off the board when the New England Patriots are on the clock, one tight end to look at in the second round is Texas A&M prospect Jace Sternberger.
The 6-foot-4, 251-pound tight end is not as flashy as Smith, Fant or Hockenson, Sternberger runs routes like a big receiver and could create matchup problems with his athleticism and ability to run after the catch.
In his final season at Texas A&M, Sternberger caught 48 passes for 832 yards and 10 touchdowns. His 17.3 average yards per reception was actually better than Smith Jr., but his weakness in the area of blocking is what makes him a less complete tight end.
That doesn’t mean the Patriots shouldn’t target him in the draft if he is available.
According to NFL Draft Insider Jared Tokarz, Jace Sternberger was asked for a top 30 visit with the team, which means they are certainly looking at the Texas A&M prospect as a possibility in their search to find a replacement for Rob Gronkowski.
In all, Sternberger wouldn’t be a bad pick at all for the Patriots. His ability to run routes and create matchup problems would be more than welcomed by Tom Brady who currently does not have much support surrounding him in the passing game.
1. T.J. Hockenson, Iowa
Speaking of Tom Brady, how much fun would he have throwing the ball to top tight end prospect T.J. Hockenson.
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Furthermore, imagine how productive the Iowa product would be in New England with how the Patriots utilize pass-catching tight ends.
With his natural athleticism and blocking skills, the 6-foot-5, 250-pound Hockenson is the perfect replacement for Rob Gronkowski in that he could create his own legacy with the Patriots. That’s just how good he is.
Considering that he played with another top tight end prospect in Noah Fant, Hockenson’s impressive numbers as a pass-catching tight end makes him a worthy candidate at No. 32 or anywhere on the board in the first round, which is why he may not be there when the Patriots are up.
Could or would they trade up to get him?
It’s possible if they really value what T.J. Hockenson could bring to the table. With two second-round picks and three third-round picks, the New England Patriots could certainly put together a package to move up in the draft if Mackey Award-winning tight end is within target.
Like Irv Smith Jr., Hockenson is just beginning to tap his potential. New England is the perfect place for him to continue his growth as a complete tight end.
Three other names to watch
While Iowa’s Noah Fant is obviously another possibility at the tight end position, the following three names are players the New England Patriots could target in the later rounds of the draft.
Isaac Nauta, Georgia – With the Patriots current track record of drafting players out of the University of Georgia, tight end Isaac Nauta is a name to watch at the tight end position.
At 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, the 21-year-old Nauta has the ability to catch passes, but like Sternberger could use some work with his blocking skills. Certainly, a tight end the Patriots will look at in the later rounds.
Tommy Sweeney, Boston College – The local product is less of a pass catcher and more of a blocker. As more of a blue-collar player, the 6-foot-5, 253-pound tight end has the kind of toughness and “do your job” type mentality the New England Patriots love in a player.
Although he does have good hands, Sweeney is not a tight end that will play much of a role in the passing game unless its around the goal line. His physicality and football IQ make him a name to watch in rounds 6-7.
Kaden Smith, Stanford – A Mackey Award finalist, Stanford product Kaden Smith is a tight end the New England Patriots could consider in the later rounds.
At 6-foot-5, 255 pounds, he has above average NFL tight end size and is more of a physical pass catcher. Don’t expect him to blow away from anyone, but he is versatile enough as an athlete to block and run routes.
In entering the NFL Draft a year early, Kaden Smith is another tight end in this draft with room for growth.