Maybe nothing illustrates how lucky the Patriots are with their inside free-agent class this offseason higher than Austin Hooper, a strong veteran for years nearing the twilight of his profession, being amongst their finest gamers hitting the market.
Hooper had 21 catches for 263 yards and two touchdowns final season, all numbers that have been just about lower in half from the yr earlier than when he was in the midst of one of many NFL’s worst offenses. And but if Hooper walks, the Pats can have an actual gap to fill.
Beginning tight finish Hunter Henry is getting into a contract yr at 31, and there are not any confirmed choices behind him and Hooper. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is at his finest when he has a number of “Y” tight ends to maneuver round, gamers who can block and run routes successfully from an in-line place. In free company, a lot of the gamers accessible are “F” tight ends, who’re receiving-first gamers that lean smaller and extra athletic than their counterparts.
There are additionally a couple of conventional fullbacks in the marketplace, which ought to attraction to the Patriots after they needed to transfer No. 3 tight finish Jack Westover into that place final summer time.
Listed below are the names to know, with contract projections courtesy of Pro Football Focus. Of observe: the Patriots usually are not anticipated to pursue free brokers Isaiah Doubtless and Chigoziem Okonkwo, per supply.
Prime targets
Dallas Goedert
Ht/Wt: 6-5, 256
Age: 31
Projected contract: $12 million per yr
Even within the again 9 of his profession, Goedert stays probably the greatest tight ends within the league. He had 64 catches for 624 yards and a career-high 12 touchdowns final season. He’s nonetheless extra receiver-first than dominant blocker, however his mixture of sturdy arms, route-running and dimension will attraction to most, if not each, group available in the market for a good finish.
The percentages of him touchdown in New England really feel low, although rumblings about whether or not he’ll re-sign in Philadelphia have been combined up to now this offseason. The Patriots would additionally prefer to get youthful at this place, however Goedert could also be too good to move up if the celebrities align. These stars could be as follows: an inexpensive, short-term contract, Goedert needs a change of surroundings and to play for Mike Vrabel and/or with Drake Maye.
Mid-level veterans
Cade Otton
Ht/Wt: 6-5, 247
Age: 26
Projected contract: $10.67 million per yr
Few gamers in all the league have been extra sturdy than Otton, who’s performed virtually 4,000 snaps during the last 4 seasons. He’s a rock-solid participant who can play in-line and transfer across the formation. Cotton matched his profession excessive with 59 catches final yr for 572 yards and a landing. Towards the Patriots, he had a season-high 9 grabs, which might depart a long-lasting impression on a entrance workplace on the lookout for a good finish like Otton, who would fill wants within the short- and long-term.
Austin Hooper
Ht/Wt: 6-4, 254
Age: 31
Projected contract: $5.25 million per yr
If the Patriots re-sign Hooper, count on one other short-term deal that slots him as their No. 2 tight finish whereas a rookie draft decide pushes him for that spot. Sadly for Hooper, two of his worst statistical seasons have include Josh McDaniels as his offensive coordinator (final yr and 2022 in Las Vegas), however there could also be hope if the Pats can open the center of the sector with extra receiving expertise in 2026. Hooper, in the meantime, could be the identical receiving-first choice he’s been up to now in New England.
Discount bin
Charlie Kolar
Ht/Wt: 6-6, 265
Age: 27
Projected contract: $1.75 million per yr
One of the best run-blocker on this checklist is a valued piece of Baltimore’s run-powered offense, however might nonetheless spring free. Are the Patriots the precise group to land him?
The difficulty is deciding whether or not Kolar may be an efficient sufficient pass-catcher as a No. 2 tight finish. His 10 catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns have been all profession highs. At that charge, the Pats could also be simply as effectively off using backup offensive deal with Thayer Munford Jr. as a jumbo tight finish, as they did down the stretch final season. But when the Patriots see some untapped potential in Kolar as a risk down the seam and contained in the pink zone, he must be close to the highest of their board.
Patrick Ricard
Ht/Wt: 6-3, 300
Age: 31
Projected contract: N/A
It’s about time the Patriots performed with a standard fullback once more, and no free agent matches that mould like Ricard.
The six-time Professional Bowler has been a fixture in Baltimore, the place he’s been the lead blocker for a number of No. 1 rush offenses through the years. Ricard has additionally seen his pass-catching position diminish these days, totaling simply 9 receptions during the last three seasons after he snatched 11 passes in 2022. Regardless of that decline, he stays one of many strongest forces in an NFL backfield and would rework the Pats’ two-back personnel groupings and ideas.
Reggie Gilliam
Ht/Wt: 6-0, 244
Age: 28
Projected contract: $1.75 million per yr
The following finest fullback in the marketplace after Ricard, Gilliam gives a distinct kind of participant however would nonetheless packs an actual punch within the backfield. Stealing him away from a division rival might additionally hit as a double-whammy for a Patriots offense seeking to energy its run recreation and steal from Buffalo’s.
