The New England Patriots could explore improving at the tight end position via trade. Here are five intriguing players to target.
Are the New England Patriots now in the curse of Rob Gronkowski?
It has only been a season without the All-Pro tight end, but the Patriots appeared to be doomed at the position during 2019 as neither of the trio of Ben Watson, Matt LaCosse or Ryan Izzo were able to break out as a reliable target.
While no one expected either of those three players to put up Gronkowski numbers even in his worst season, some kind of utilization or consistency from the position would’ve been nice.
In fact, the only consistency the Patriots got from LaCosse and Izzo was them taking turns on the inactive list.
If the team is to lure Tom Brady back, upgrading the tight end position is a must.
Yes, Rob Gronkowski coming out of retirement would be nice, but the 2020 New England Patriots can’t rely on that happening. If they do, they will likely be in the same position as in 2019.
Whether it’s through the 2020 NFL Draft, free agency or trade, Bill Belichick has to know tight end is more of a need than a luxury.
While the draft and free agency are the logical options, here are four intriguing trade options at tight end.
Evan Engram, New York Giants
The New England Patriots may want to watch the Evan Engram situation with the New York Giants.
While obtaining a player with durability issues is not the ideal path to upgrading the tight end position, it could be one of those low-risk high-reward type deals if old friend Joe Judge and the Giants don’t see the talented, young tight end in their future plans due to injury concerns.
Selected with the 23rd overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Engram has shown his potential as a pass-catching tight end but has already missed 14 games due to injury in this first three years in the NFL.
The latest injury is a concern for the Giants who have yet to pick up his fifth-year option.
Would they be willing to trade him before that 2021 option to get some kind of trade capital?
It is certainly worth kicking the tires if you are the New England Patriots. The fact that he is still in a walking boot and is expected to be sidelined until training camp is cause for caution, but when healthy, he can put up the numbers.
In just 8 games played in 2019, Evan Engram hauled in 44 receptions for 467 yards and three touchdowns.
Hayden Hurst, Baltimore Ravens
This one is a legit rumor that has some legs, the question is whether the Baltimore Ravens are really willing to disrupt their trio of tight ends.
As first reported by Eugene Frenette of the Florida Times-Union, the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars are two teams exploring a pre-draft trade for Ravens tight end Hayden Hurst.
Patriots, Jaguars exploring pre-draft trade for @Ravens TE Hayden Hurst, but whether it happens will depend on what draft capital teams r willing to part with. Hurst, who Jags we’re going to draft in 2018 ,told me 2 months ago he wants opportunity to catch more passes. Stay tuned
— Eugene Frenette (@GeneFrenette) February 24, 2020
Not the sexiest choice out there if you are a Patriots fan, but his 30 catches for 349 yards and two touchdowns for the Ravens last season far surpasses with the combination of Ben Watson, Matt LaCosse and Ryan Izzo did last season in New England so obtaining the former first-round draft pick would be an upgrade over what they already have.
Set to just make over $3 million in 2020, Hayden Hurst is a cheap, productive option who would be under team control through 2021 and is a player who could flourish even more with the Patriots.
With Mark Andrews and Nick Boyle as the other tight end options in Baltimore, the Ravens could afford to move Hurst for a decent draft pick, which the Patriots have plenty of.
If this deal happens, it will most likely happen within the next couple of weeks to show Tom Brady the team is serious about getting weapons around him.
David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
There is a talented playmaker in Cleveland to be had and his name is not Odell Beckham Jr.
Historically, when the New England Patriots need to pull off a trade of need or to even dump a player, they typically find a trade partner in the Cleveland Browns.
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As of now, the Browns have an underachieving tight end in David Njoku who could use a change in scenery. With just 5 receptions for 41 yards in 2019 in four games played, the former first-round pick is right for the picking and has Patriots written all over him.
Just 23 years old, Njoku had a promising rookie season in 2017 and broke out in 2018 with 56 receptions for 639 yards and four touchdowns. One of the major disappointments in Cleveland last season, the Browns may actually be picking up the phone to see what they can get for the talented tight end.
The first call is likely to Bill Belichick who has a history of taking on Cleveland Browns talent. Most recently, he acquired Danny Shelton from the Browns and also traded for Josh Gordon.
Could David Njoku be the next first-round project Belichick can pry out of Cleveland?
The Patriots need a tight end, Njoku has the talent and youth. So why not?
O.J. Howard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
If you think those O.J. Howard rumors that were swirling loud prior to the 2019 NFL Trade Deadline are dead, then you don’t know Bill Belichick.
While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers remain adamant that they plan on keeping he talented tight end, those rumors wouldn’t have been out there unless there was some smoke. It is also possible the New England Patriots and Buccaneers kept talks going for a pre-draft deal that would send the Alabama product to New England.
With Tampa Bay rumored to be in the Tom Brady sweepstakes, holding onto Howard as an enticing weapon for the 42-year-old quarterback to target might be in the Buccaneers best interest, however they do have another great pass-catching tight end in Cameron Brate.
With 34 receptions for 459 yards and a touchdown in 2019, perhaps O.J. Howard is another one of those young players who could benefit from a change of scenery.
Besides former Rutgers players, Bill Belichick also loves former Alabama players, so don’t count out the 25-year-old Howard landing in New England while still on his rookie deal.