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New England Patriots 2020 NFL Draft: Brycen Hopkins could provide help at tight end

By Sam Minton

IOWA CITY, IOWA- OCTOBER 19: Tight end Brycen Hopkins #89 of the Purdue Boilermakers before the match-up against the Iowa Hawkeyes, on October 19, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- OCTOBER 19: Tight end Brycen Hopkins #89 of the Purdue Boilermakers before the match-up against the Iowa Hawkeyes, on October 19, 2019 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /
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There is no doubt that the Patriots could use a quality tight end and Purdue’s Brycen Hopkins looks like he could be a quality NFL tight end.

The New England Patriots were missing a lot of things in 2019, but the main loss was Rob Gronkowski.

Pats fans saw just how much Gronkowski meant to the team. Even though he was banged up in his final season he would have helped New England out a lot.

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A key part of the Patriots offense is the passing game. With limited weapons, Tom Brady wasn’t the same quarterback.

That is why New England should be looking at tight ends in the 2020 NFL Draft. Brycen Hopkins should be a name Patriots fans should get used to hearing.

Hopkins had a breakout senior season at Purdue. He had 61 catches for 830 yards and 7 touchdowns. Hopkins is definitely more of a pass-catching tight end and is a bit smaller than Gronk.

The fact is you aren’t going to find another Rob Gronkowski. He is a once in a generation player.

But Hopkins can bring his pass-catching talents to replicate the one half of Gronkowski New England missed this season.

The Patriots had guys at tight end who were able to block but not catch. When Ben Watson is your leading pass catcher at tight end you have a problem.

New England would likely have to take Hopkins in the 2nd or 3rd round. He is one of the top tight ends in the draft so he won’t fall far.  New England would likely have to move up to get him.

But this season proved how much the Patriots need a tight end. I don’t think fans would be upset if they moved up to get one.

Bill Belichick didn’t want to lose Josh McDaniels. dark. Next

The Patriots are in dire need of passing targets and drafting Hopkins would help New England’s offense get back on the right track.

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