Nothing like super bowl sunday to bring back memories of rob Gronkowski greatness and the huge advantage that the new england patriots once had as a result of the tight end’s elite ability.
Gronkowski totaled 297 yards and three touchdowns on 23 receptions in four super bowl appearances as a patriot. In every game, he made multiple catches. Not only does the patriots not have the next Gronk on their roster, but they also have only one tight end, a virtual unknown, under contract for next season. La’michael pettway, a former usfl player, joined the active roster on a two-year contract in late december.
At the moment, he is the only free agent. Hunter Henry, pharoah brown, and Mike Gesicki are among those who are slated to join the free agent market in 2024. Henry may not have lived up to the $37.5 million offer he reportedly received in 2021, but the team’s second-best offensive weapon was running back rhamondre stevenson, according to henry.
Both players left the team on injured reserve, putting them in their 30th season. Even if new england decides to re-sign henry, who scored a team-leading six touchdowns in 14 games, the team will need at least two or three tight ends before training camp.
Noah Fant, Dalton Schultz, and gerald everett are some of the more well-known names available for free agent players.schultz had 59 receptions, 635 yards, and five touchdowns in 15 regular season games for the houston texans.
Everett had 51 receptions for 411 yards and three touchdowns for the los angeles chargers in 15 games. Fant, a former first-round draft pick, started all 17 games for the seattle seahawks, making 32 grabs for 414 yards. Brock bowers of georgia appears to be the unanimous choice for the top spot in the poll. In the 2024 NFL draft class, there is only one tight end.
Although he may not last long, third overall may be a bit high to draft this position. New england may be able to trade down a few slots and still qualify for the john mackey awards, which honor bowers as the nation’s top tight end. The patriots will need to seriously address the tight end position this offseason, whether it’s henry, bowers, a veteran free agent signing, or all of the above.
