It’s so easy to make player comparisons especially on a team that has had some of the best that ever were but the signing of the two tight ends, Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry, in free agency really ramped up the mentions of a Gronkowski and Hernandez duo, and it had already been whispered about when the Patriots drafted two tight ends back in 2020, Dalton Keene and Devin Asiasi.
Now it’s fair to say that Hunter Henry is not Rob Gronkowski. He is a sizeable and talented traditional tight end but there will only ever be one Gronk. That’s not to say Henry isn’t good, as most of you know, he’s my favourite going into this season!
The versatility of Jonnu Smith is already shining through in training camp within the different formations in which he is being placed, and the comparison with the athleticism of Aaron Hernandez is difficult to ignore.
The 2011 AFC Divisional game against the Broncos saw a slew of two tight end sets, and at one point Hernandez, and Gronk lined up on the same side, next to one another, Hernandez with his hand in the dirt and Gronk in a more H-back like position. On the snap, Gronk provided pass protection Hernandez ran out and became the pass catcher for a touchdown.
And that’s just spotlighting one single play. The Patriots utilised Hernandez in several other positions such as running back, a traditional ‘I’ formation fullback, a blocker as well as a receiver. And the exciting thing is Jonnu Smith may be able to tick all these boxes.
Okay so that’s putting a lot on the shoulders of this 25 year old but the Patriots team was phenomenal with this kind of tight end set up and there may be hints that it can happen again.
I know I know, I’m a tight endage enthusiast, but I bet there are plenty of fans out there who are excited to see this kind of dynamic tight endage sparkle in Foxborough!
Whats more, there is depth at tight end at the moment. It appears that Matt LaCosse and Troy Fumagalli are working hard at securing their own spots. LaCosse had a pretty rough start proving himself in New England after a year (2019) plagued with injury and then a covid-19 opt out year. Fumagalli, whilst experienced in the NFL, has always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and not had much chance to shine, but is definitely a name I’ve been hearing dropped around training camp this past week.
Further depth, but with a little less sparkle is David Wells who has been utilised mostly as a blocker. Devin Asiasi is (at the time of writing this) currently on the covid list following a positive test, and Dalton Keene who too is on a list, PUP to be precise. Whilst dropping a third round draft pick is highly unlikely, neither Asiasi nor Keene have had a full training camp or preseason since their drafting due to covid restrictions and now injuries. Whilst Keene may see the wrong side of the PUP list for a while, Asiasi could return soon. The greatest concern may be the after effects of suffering from covid, stacked upon a large chunk of time missed from yet another years training camp.
With just a week until the first preseason game against the Washington Football Team, tight end expectation and excitement is peaking!
Go Pats!
Keene and Asiasi have a higher upside than LaCosse and Fumigalli. They will need to play head and shoulders above both these young guys in order to bump them from the roster. That being said I can’t see either Keene or Asiasi playing very much this year barring injuries. I would not be surprised to see one of these two getting traded to a TE needy team for a future draft pick.
David Wells will be one of the first cuts