{"id":49155,"date":"2020-02-19T10:04:37","date_gmt":"2020-02-19T15:04:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=49155"},"modified":"2021-08-29T05:49:32","modified_gmt":"2021-08-29T05:49:32","slug":"lazars-combine-watch-list-tight-ends-on-the-patriots-radar-this-offseason","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/lazars-combine-watch-list-tight-ends-on-the-patriots-radar-this-offseason\/","title":{"rendered":"Lazar’s Combine Watch List: Tight Ends on the Patriots Radar This Offseason"},"content":{"rendered":"

The tight end position on the Patriots roster bottomed out after Rob Gronkowski\u2019s retirement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

New England ranked dead-last in receptions at the position only 37 for the entire 2019 season with Ben Watson, Matt LaCosse among others accumulating 419 yards (31st). Even as a shell of himself in his final season, Gronk easily beat those numbers on his own (47 rec, 682 yards), along with the blocking boost he gave the Pats in the running game.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Not to get into old bouts, but the Patriots got what they paid for after Gronk\u2019s late announcement, punting entirely on the 2019 tight end class, making the 39-year-old Watson and LaCosse their most significant acquisitions of the offseason. They knew what they were in for in their first post-Gronk year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

My sense is that the Patriots would like to make significant moves this offseason to rebuild the tight end position and supply Tom Brady, or whoever the quarterback is, with better pass catchers at a crucial position in the style of offense they like to play in Foxboro.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The crop of free-agent tight ends is below-average after the big prizes, and although they want to add, we\u2019ll see how much they\u2019re willing to commit in a free-agent contract.<\/span><\/p>\n

The markets for Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, and Eric Ebron are worth monitoring. Henry is a strong candidate for the franchise tag in LA, and Hooper and Ebron will have plenty of suitors, but all three are fits.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Going the trade route is also intriguing, with former first-rounder David Njoku as my top choice. Njoku battled injuries and inconsistency in Cleveland, falling out of favor with the coaching staff, but is a super athlete with flashes of his potential on his NFL tape and put up 56 receptions, 639 yards, and four touchdowns in 16 games in 2018.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For now, though, we turn to Indianapolis, and the NFL scouting combine, where we\u2019ll get a closer look at the tight end class for the 2020 draft.<\/span><\/p>\n

After studying the top prospects, I don’t love any of the options in the first round, but there\u2019s a nice run of starting-caliber talent on day two, where the Pats have three third-round picks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Based on pre-combine tape grading, Purdue\u2019s Brycen Hopkins sits atop my board, but Hopkins is a 240-pound tight end that doesn’t project as an in-line option. Hopkins, Washington\u2019s Hunter Bryant, and Florida Atlantic\u2019s Harrison Bryant are potential mismatches in the passing game that can move around the formation if the Pats want to go that route. But they typically shy away from sacrificing blocking and size until day three.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

My focus is on the in-line tight ends that fit the typical Patriots mold \u2014 size and blocking upside while possessing enough speed to threaten between the numbers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s my NFL Combine Watch List for the Patriots at the tight end position:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

ADAM TRAUTMAN, DAYTON (6-5, 251 POUNDS)\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Currently behind Hopkins in my rankings, the massive Trautman is incredibly smooth as a route runner for his frame while possessing some serious power at the point of attack as a blocker. He\u2019ll make the jump from the FCS to the pro level, which might take some time, but he was a standout at this year\u2019s Senior Bowl and dominated the FCS like an NFL caliber prospect should (70 catches, 916 yards, 14 TDs in 2019).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Dayton product flashes rare movement skills for a six-foot-five, 250-pound tight end. Usually, you see stiffness and some sluggishness with those kinds of players, but Trautman has the flexibility to run detailed routes to beat man coverage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[arve url=”https:\/\/streamable.com\/s\/3mczo\/hrdoir” \/]<\/p>\n

(video credit: Brad Kelly<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Here, Trautman runs a nasty corner-post route where he beats bracket coverage by faking the corner and then flashing over the middle on the post after selling the break to fool the inside defender.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

#Patriots<\/a> fans need to know Dayton TE Adam Trautman this draft season:<\/p>\n

6-5 \u2705
250 lbs \u2705
In-line blocker \u2705
Upside as a receiver \u2705<\/p>\n

There aren't many tight ends that meet the Pats criteria like Trautman. Serves up a pancake at the Senior Bowl below. pic.twitter.com\/vuso9m94ad<\/a><\/p>\n

— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) February 5, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n