10 most improved position groups in the 2021 NFL off-season

#4 Tight-ends – New England Patriots

Tight ends

This was by far the easiest choice, and I don’t have any other team listed here as a notable mention because of how big the drop-off is.

Atlanta certainly came to my mind in terms of the best tight-end added when they drafted a unicorn-type of prospect in Florida’s Kyle Pitts. But New England were the only team that added two legitimate tight-ends, and I believe they were arguably the top two names on the open market.

When we think back to the early 2010s, with the tandem of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, Josh McDaniels created a 12 personnel-heavy offense that presented challenges for opposing defenses every week. While I don’t think either one of the guys they added in free agency could fill that prototypical Y role in terms of an in-line blocker, Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith give the Patriots a lot of versatility.

Henry could be playing more at the end of the offensive line but also work away from it, oftentimes as a de facto X-receiver unless N’Keal Harry makes a major jump in year three. Henry had split time almost exactly, even between the two in LA last season.

Smith could be used more as an H-back or even fullback, executing sift and wrap-around pulls in the run game, sneaking out for run-after-catch opportunities off play-action. I’m sure he could also take some creatively designed carries. With some of the speed guys they have added on the perimeter, I believe their efficiency in between the numbers should certainly improve.

When you look at who will be featured in those areas of the field, the tight-end production of just 254 receiving yards should see a big bump. Moreover, I believe their two three-round picks from last year in Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene still have some potential.