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New England Patriots 2019 NFL Draft: Watch out for tight end Dawson Knox

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 17: Dawson Knox #9 of the Ole Miss Rebels makes a catch while being defended by Allan George #28 of the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 17: Dawson Knox #9 of the Ole Miss Rebels makes a catch while being defended by Allan George #28 of the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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With the New England Patriots in search for the next great tight end in the 2019 NFL Draft, this player could be a dark horse replacement for Rob Gronkowski.

T.J Hockenson, Irv Smith Jr. or Noah Fant?  Who will the New England Patriots make their new great tight end?

How about Dawson Knox out of Ole Miss?

While the retirement of Rob Gronkowski isn’t all that surprising, the Patriots are still left in a state of flux as far as their lack of big-time playmakers surrounding Tom Brady.

After whiffing on a couple of the top wide receivers in free agency, the focus is now on the 2019 NFL Draft where the team will be looking for both receivers and tight ends.

The good part about Gronkowski’s retirement timing is that this year’s draft has a lot of good tight end prospects which does include the less mentioned and less hyped Dawson Knox.

A Gronk replacement?

No one can replace Gronkowski, but there are players who can create their own legacies in the NFL and it will be up to the New England Patriots to identify that player just like they did back in 2009 when they selected the big man out of Arizona.

While Knox has not been mentioned as one of those possible players, he is a possible later round pick who could turn into a diamond in the rough at the tight end position.  With just 15 receptions and 284 yards in 2018, Knox did have18.9 yards per catch which highlights his ability to stretch the field.

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A workout freak like Rob Gronkowski, Dawson Knox does have an injury history that could decrease his draft value.  But, with good hands, power and a competitive nature to go along with an NFL ready frame (6-4, 254 pounds) may just help the Ole Miss product flourish in the NFL.

In playing in an offense that featured two of the top NFL wide receiver prospects in D.K. Metcalf and A.J. Brown, Knox didn’t get much opportunity in a high-powered passing attack so he could be overshadowed in a tight end heavy draft.

Will the New England Patriots recognize the potential of Knox and wait to Day 2 or Day 3 to select him?

Who knows how Bill Belichick will approach this draft, but the fact that Knox did play quarterback in college may increase the chance he is one of a couple of tight ends the team may draft.

With his speed down the seam and ability to become a deep threat, he is certainly a player who Tom Brady can find a way to utilize.  Better believe his versatility as a football player will intrigue Belichick as well.

Next. New England Patriots: 3 tight ends team must target in NFL Draft. dark

In summary, don’t be surprised if the New England Patriots use one of their later round picks to take a shot at maximizing the talent of Dawson Knox in the NFL.

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