New England Patriots 2020 Draft: Harrison Bryant a good tight end option

Drafting a top tight end in 2020 makes great sense for the New England Patriots, and NFL prospect Harrison Bryant is a good option.

The New England Patriots have a monumental need at the tight end position in 2020. The incumbents are not really capable of boosting the offense.

Ryan Izzo and Matt LaCosse are the returning veterans, neither of whom inspires confidence – certainly as a pass catcher. Ben Watson has retired once more, and objectively, Patriots fans can easily feel that the cupboard is bare.

According to Pro Football Reference, Ryan Izzo racked up 6 receptions in 6 games and Matt LaCosse caught 13 in 11 games. This is hardly productive. And, it is certainly not productive enough for New England’s offense.

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A complete retooling is necessary. It should be comprised of both acquisitions in free agency (my choice, Austin Hooper) and the draft. Almost inexplicably, the Patriots, even with the looming retirement of All-Universe tight end Rob Gronkowski, declined to draft even one tight end in the 2019 draft. Baffling, indeed.

That decision came back to haunt the New England Patriots big-time as they also failed to re-sign tight end Dwayne Allen for 2019.

While Allen according to Pro Football Reference only caught 13 passes in his two years in New England, one thing he could do – was block. So New England found themselves without their best pass catching tight end – who was also a major asset as a blocker -and they also let Allen, their other top blocking tight end go. Bad decisions. None of the attempted replacements did much of anything.

Sports Illustrated’s Kevin Hanson describes Harrison Bryant of Florida Atlantic as his 5th best tight end in the draft.

5. Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic (SR, 6’5″, 242 pounds)

"The 2019 John Mackey Award recipient as the nation’s top tight end, Bryant had 65 catches for 1,004 yards (15.44 Y/R) and seven touchdowns in his final season. A mismatch against smaller defensive backs and slower linebackers, Bryant has the athleticism and route-running chops to separate and become a high-volume target in the passing game at the next level. Due to his development as a blocker during his time at FAU, however, he’s one of the more versatile and well-rounded prospects at the position."

Sounds like Bryant might be a good fit for the New England Patriots on Day 2 of the draft.

Without a second round pick, they may have to add draft assets to get into a position to draft Bryant. But, after drafting an offensive lineman in the first (should Tom Brady return), an investment in a young tight end makes perfect sense.

Bryant has good size, and as Kevin Hanson noted, he can catch it and has added blocking to his repertoire, as well. Sounds like a good combination for the New England Patriots.

Signing Austin Hooper, and hopefully drafting a solid tight end prospect in maybe the third round, is a solid strategy for the New England Patriots toward rectifying their woefully inadequate tight end situation.

The Patriots also have a plethora of 6th and 7th round picks in next month’s draft. Investing one or two of those picks in addition – perhaps on uni-dimensional tight end prospects, either catchers or blockers – isn’t a bad idea either.

Next. New England Patriots Rumors: 4 intriguing trade options at tight end. dark

The cupboard is bare at tight end for the New England Patriots. It’s time to stock up. Signing Hooper, drafting a legitimate tight end earlier in the draft and maybe adding a couple of uni-dimensional free agents and/or draftees is the way to go.

The New England Patriots can ill-afford to ignore this position this off season as they did last year. They’d do so at their offense’s peril.

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