New England Patriots: 5 Offseason moves to improve in 2021
New England Patriots offseason move No. 3: Finally add a tight end via free agency
Ever since Rob Gronkowski unexpectedly retired from the NFL and the Patriots a few years ago — until he ultimately made his return to the league to join Tom Brady in Tampa Bay this season — New England has struggled in trying to replace the large tight end in the middle of the field and in the Patriots offense.
With that being a weakness of the team over the last few seasons, it was once again an issue and weakness throughout the course of the 2020 season with an offensive unit led by quarterback Cam Newton under center.
As we have seen with New England’s passing game in the past, whenever it consists of a top-notch tight end target to boost the team in the middle of the field and in the red zone, this Patriots offense takes things to the next level.
With that said, one thing the Patriots need to do in order to improve going into the 2021 campaign is finally adding a tight end to the team, whether that’s via free agency, the trade market or in the upcoming draft.
In the 2020 NFL Draft, New England did select a pair of tight ends with a few of its picks, selecting rookie tight ends Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene to try and shore up that need on offense. That duo could still develop into solid pieces to feature in the offensive flow, but the Patriots can’t afford to have a lack of firepower in the passing game yet again during the upcoming year.
One name that could be worth keeping an eye on that could strengthen up that weakness in New England is upcoming free agent and Los Angles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry. Henry, who just turned 26 years old, will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason and New England will have available salary cap to go after him.
Henry became one of the top tight ends in the league throughout the 2020 season and he will likely be one of the top tight ends on the free agent market this offseason. But if he is looking to depart from Los Angeles, the Patriots should be at the front of the line to try and sign him.