The New England Patriots undoubtably have the best tight end duo in the NFL with record-setting All-Pro Rob Gronkowski along with Martellus Bennett.
Aside from those two, the New England Patriots are carrying five tight ends on the roster as they enter the summer: A.J. Derby, Clay Harbor, Steven Scheu, Bryce Williams and Michael Williams.
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With such a talented group, there are many questions surrounding them. Will the Patriots keep four tight ends again in 2015? Can any of the young talents unseat the veterans and make an impact?
As New England entered 2016, they added tight end depth by trading for Bennett and signing free agent Clay Harbor. Harbor, a seven-year NFL veteran, played in 15 games for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2015.
He caught just three passes and one touchdown, but has been known throughout his career as a blocking tight end. Harbor will likely challenge for the role of blocking tight end with the incumbent Michael Williams, who joined the Patriots ahead of the 2015 season.
Harbor will carry a cap hit of $1.28-million in 2016, much higher than Williams’ $525,000 cap hit. This is generally a good indication of which player will make the roster, although the Patriots have been known to value the talent and fit, not just the contract.
Harbor is four years older than Williams, but his experience and threat of being a pass catcher should give him the edge over Williams.
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The next question is around whether or not the Patriots will keep a fourth tight end in 2016. While they have done so in the past, they will likely be carrying a third quarterback this season. With Tom Brady currently suspended, and New England spending a 3rd round pick on Jacoby Brissett – a roster spot will be spent where it generally is not.
If New England does end up keeping another tight end, it will come down to 2015 6th round pick A.J. Derby and a pair of 2016 undrafted free agents Steven Scheu and Bryce Williams. All three players have the size and length to be productive pass catchers, and none of them are particularly good pass blockers. Derby has the advantage of being in the system for a year, going on injured reserve during training camp in 2015. His presence in the building does give him a slight edge over Scheu and Williams.
Both Scheu and Williams are athletic pass catchers that did not have the benefit of good quarterback play at the end of their careers. Williams is more of a deep threat down the middle, which Scheu has extremely consistent hands and can control the middle of the field. Both came to New England with the knowledge that they would be given a fair shot at making the roster as undrafted free agents, but Derby’s presence in the system give him the advantage.
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With the success of the tight end position in recent seasons, expect the Patriots to figure out a way to keep four tight ends on the roster. The group of Gronkowski, Bennett, Harbor and Derby should once again provide the Patriots with one of the most dangerous positional groups in the entire NFL. With the option to get Williams and Scheu onto the practice squad as well, the Patriots could go as much as six deep at tight end in 2016.