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As the Patriots gain a WR1, they lose a TE2. So what could the future be at TE?

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AP Photo/Charles Krupa – Julian Hill

Pretty much everyone in Patriots Nation is talking about the, kinda unsurprising, news of AJ Brown being signed by the Patriots. 

Don’t get me wrong, this is big news! I know so many happy Pats fans with this true WR1, but typically Clare’s eye is drawn to the TE position. But in my defense, there is good reason!

The WR corps will definitely be the talk of the spring/summer, but the position that I hold dear to my heart took a knock as AJ Brown was passing his physical. 

Julian Hill, the veteran blocking tight end that the Patriots secured in free agency from the Dolphins, sustained an, and I quote Coach Vrabel here, “devastating, awful” injury. 

Not many details seem to have surfaced as I write this, just that it was a knee injury that occurred during practice, and is season ending. 

Just as we were looking at a more rounded TE room now the offense has had a boost, one significant piece is removed and once again we look at that cupboard.

The 25 year old, 6 foot 4, 251 pound blocking tight end, wasn’t due to be as impactful as the shiny new toy of AJ Brown, but this loss could be sneaky more significant that you think. 

The Patriots go into 2026 with 31 year old Hunter Henry currently in the final year of a 3-year, $27 million contract extension he signed in March 2024, and that’s it for veteran presence at the position now. Thats absolutely no slight on Hunter, and he is a superb role model for the younger guys and the rookies the Pats have, but other that number 85 the Pats TE room is:

Jack Westover 2024 UDFA, C.J. Dippre 2025 UDFA, Tanner Arkin 2026 UDFA

and Eli Raridon, 2026 third round draft selection. 

With Westover touted as a fullback, but is listed on the roster as TE, and the Pats bringing in one of the top fullbacks in the NFL in Reggie Gilliam, perhaps some of Hill’s blocking assignments can be shifted easier than maybe we thought. This will definitely be a time will tell situation, as Westover was a little hit and miss with some blocking when utilised last season. 

Possibly a rather dark horse is C.J. Dippre. The UDFA of 2025 began his career on the Pats practice squad before moving onto the 53 man roster in November. With him being inactive for the first four games, Dippre made his debut against the Jets on December 28th. Dippre saw a little action as tight end in the fourth quarter of the game, but then was utilised more on special teams for his second start against Miami. But Dippre is a tough player with inline blocking capabilities, he finished his final college seasons at Alabama operating primarily as a blocking specialist. With a bit of a reputation as a hard-nosed run-blocker, it will be interesting to see if McDaniels utilises these skills and if they developed during the first year the pair had together.  

With Eli Raridon being a well rounded pass catching and reasonably blocking tight end, he very much looked as if he could be the future replacement for Hunter Henry after being mentored by the man himself. Hopefully Hill’s absence isn’t going to impact Raridon’s developmental year, and McDaniel’s can look at the more prominently blocking tight ends in the fold to take on the duties. 

Something else to ponder is the UDFA out of Illinois, Tanner Arkin. Being an undrafted rookie he can fall off the radar somewhat, especially as it’s not uncommon for those guys to play predominately on the practice squad. Whilst Tanner isn’t exactly known as a pass game threat, he was a captain in his final two seasons at college, and what he lacks in the pass game he seems to make up for in the running attack, and is a good blocker. 

So perhaps there is a silver lining to this TE cloud, that there are a couple of good blocking tight ends already wearing Patriots uniforms. It’s aways awful when a player is injured, that it was at camp, and you lose the guy for the whole season just turns the proverbial knife even more, and I seriously wish Julian a smooth and speedy recovery. Meanwhile, there may be some extra assessments to undertake in this reduced spring training programme, and then the summer. 

So, whist you lovely lot are all checking out the new shiny number 1 AJ Brown, my eye will be over there with the TE’s… but hey, what’s new right?!

Go Pats!

An eye on OTAs

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AP Photo:Charles Krupa

So May 27th, day one of OTAs is in the bag, and whilst it is literally day one of not very much, it’s still the beginning of something!

Nine voluntary organised team activities will be undertaken over the next three weeks, with the 3 day mandatory veteran minicamp being held from the 15th to 17th of June. Whilst attendance to OTAs isn’t mandatory, three of the nine will be open to the media, so we shall be able to get a spot of insight!

Until June 2nd arrives, we are destined to be plagued by the “will they, won’t they” narrative of AJ Brown, and coming a close second in the romance listings, is the “will Boutte stay”? Such intense love stories for the start of training!

Other story lines this season may include:

“Lomu to the left, or just the right?”

“Running back three.. whoever will it be?!”

“How many linebackers do you see…”

And of course Clare’s favourite: “How rare will the Raridon catch be?”

Nothing like day one of voluntary OTAs to get the creative juices flowing.

But seriously, as fans we are just itching to know how the team is going to pan out after a close (ish) call with the Super Bowl, but it really is still early days. 

We are looking towards that Maye to Doubs connection, how the defense is after it took a bit of decimating and re-filling, and just who will line up on the o-line?! Just to mention a few. 

Speaking of offensive line (again? I know, I know..) with Caleb Lomu being the Patriots first round draft pick it’s perfectly reasonable that he be a subject of some chatter, especially with the possibility of him maybe even red shirting for his first season. With the (early days, but logical) projected configuration of the offensive line being LT Will Campbell, LG Alijah Vera-Tucker, C Jared Wilson, RG Mike Onwenu, and RT Morgan Moses, and with Vera-Tucker’s limited snaps as he returns from injury and Andrew Rupcich taking up the LG spot for a few plays, it’s anticipated the Pats offensive line might be switching up positions like a sleeping kitty cat on a hot summer evening. 

As expected some players weren’t at voluntary practice, but Mike Vrabel stressed there had been communication with all players who were not at the facility. Those players were: Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, Gabe Jacas, Harold Landry III, and Kyle Dixon.

Oh and whilst on the topic of Mr-Coach-Vrabel-Sir himself, when asked how coach looked on the field, I can confirm, from a very viable source, Mr Jerry Thornton of Barstool royalty advised me:

Vrabel was at his most Vrabellish. Loud. Demonstrative. Hands on. Working with the roster bubble guys. 

I don’t know about you lovely lot but that definitely settled a few of my opening of OTA nerves!

Go Pats!

This article is penned in memory of John Szimanouskas aka Cat Man Dude. John’s wife Jan confirmed on social media that John passed away on May 25th. Patriots Nation has lost one of the very best, and we are all a little poorer now. This one is for you John. Blessed be. 

It’s that rookie time of year!

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It’s that time of year where we talk about 90 different players, even though 37 of them won’t be on that final roster, and we do it with gusto because we are fans after all.

The weekend saw rookie minicamp and some signings. A little early for much surprise and much information, but let’s see what went on…

Friday May 8th the Pats signed up 5 of the draft selections:

CB Karon Prunty 

T Dametrious Crownover

LB Namdi Obiazar

QB Behren Morton

RB Jam Miller

Saturday was extra exciting with the reported signing of TE Eli Raridon and LB Quintayvious Hutchins. 

I don’t mean to move the spotlight from the 6 foot 3 linebacker from Boston College, but you all know my affinity for a spot of tight endage, and third round draft pick,6 foot 6 245 lb Notre Dame tight end, has me excited for the season! 

The rookie mini camp saw a few bits of information, but at the moment, with it so early in the training part of the season, and no pads or contact, there’s only so much you can take from any reports. 

Caleb Lomu took reps at left tackle AND at right tackle, with full participation on Saturday, giving head to the possibility that this kid is going to be that swing tackle back up guy, before taking his position of the future. Perhaps. 

Dametrious Crownover, the 6 foot 7, 319lb mammoth human, selected in the sixth round by the Pats, reportedly took all his reps at his college position of right tackle, with exceptionally light feet. 

Two UDFA’s of note, Tanner Arkin TE of Illinois and David Blay Junior of Miami. Whilst Tanner Arkin is looking at a room becoming cramped for a spot, with the Patriots stacking up the TE room with Hunter Henry, off season free agent signing Julian Hill, the third round pick of Eli Raridon, as well as C.J Dippre still around, Arkin may be fighting for a practice squad role more than a realistic 53 man roster spot however I feel about how many TE’s there should be!

David Blay Jnr whilst a smidge undersized for a nose tackle, at 6 foot 2 and 292lbs, is the only DT the Pats picked up during this post draft season. 

May 11th we were advised that the Pats had signed linebacker Xavier Holmes and safety Peter Manuma following a good rookie mini camp. 

The other news to come out, if you are into that sort of thing of course, is roster numbers. At this time of year this kind of thing is still a little fluid, but for those of you that like to know…

OL Jared Wilson has shifted to 55, his number at Georgia. 

DT Eric Gregory switched from 55 to 95. 

WR Kyle Williams said to be moving to 8, has reportedly stuck with his original number of 18. 

Presently for the rest of the newbies, as I write this anyways we have:

Prunty at 21, Crownover taking 68, Obiazar number 48, new QB Morton wearing 15, Hutchins 45 and RB Jam Miller 30. 

To top this all off, making me a happy bunny (sorry a touch personal, I get it, but you stay for the fun!) Eli Raridon selecting a proper (in my humble opinion) tight end number of 82. 

So there’s a little summary, with much still to come, including a new episode of Pats Procrastination (hopefully) next week.

Go Pats!

For the love of the game

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You can tell we haven’t had football for a while, when fans are full of excitement for a mini-camp of the undrafted free agents!

I tease of course, but it is mostly true. When you’re a passionate fan, you put a lot into the team you support, the sport that you love. Because there it is, love. The biggest feeling there is. 

Sure, you love different people, different things, in very varying ways but it still comes down to raw emotion when you look at it. Even the most stoic and cold of individuals can burn with the desire to see their team succeed. 

And so, it’s that time of year where we talk about 90 different players, even though 37 of them won’t be on that final roster, and we do it with gusto because, hey that’s football, right?

Opinions ride high this time of year too, and there isn’t exactly much to report, particularly if you don’t want to stoop to the level of the gossip column type “news”. 

Theres definitely scuttlebutt surrounding Steph Diggs at the time I’m writing this, with rookie numbers being released and the report that Kyle Williams will NOT be switching to Diggs’ old number of 8, but shall be sticking at 18… eye ball emoji anyone?

The AJ Brown news has barely been news, even when it first came out. There are so many things that MAY happen, sometimes you can report everything and hope something sticks, or you can choose not to. I think i’ll go with that until something happens. 

June first is however, fast approaching, and with many of Pats Nation convinced the AJ Brown deal is.. well, a done deal… the morning of June second is going to possibly be an emotional one. And there we have it again, the emotion of being a fan. 

Some of you may like to pretend that you’re tough and don’t feel anything, well I got news for you, you lovely lot, toughness is feeling, is letting yourself get caught up in the emotion and showing it too. 

But don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a dictating you’re getting, everyone fans their own way and as long as you don’t hurt anyone there’s no harm in nothing, you feel or don’t feel whatever you like.

My point here is whether we are emotional or stoic, scream and shout, or whisper in the dark, when we come together as a fan group it’s all gravy baby! We can love the same thing all as one, and I’m guessing if you’re reading this, it’s because the Patriots are that love.

So, let’s welcome in the crazy, the emotions, the love. Because heck, something has gotta get us through to September.

Go Pats!

Gronk voted 38th inductee into the Patriots Hall of Fame

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On 23rd April in the 2010 NFL draft, the New England Patriots selected Robert James Gronkowski, tight end from Arizona. 

Round 2, pick number 142 saw the Pats take 6 foot 6, 264 lbs of sheer physical football player… with a large side order of crazy too.

The Gronkowski on stage draft celebrations are well known, as is the story of how Gronk’s pre-draft visit went with the New England coaches. Not so spoiler alert – He fell asleep on the floor of the meeting room. 

For nine seasons, Gronk sacrificed his huge body for the NEP, creating multiple memorable moments and plays, smashing records and making history, in particular, becoming the first of his player position to lead the league in receiving touchdowns with 17 in 2011. 

Following a retirement threat in 2018 if Bill Belichick traded him to the Detroit Lions, on 24th March 2019, at just 29 years old Rob Gronkowski retired… for a little while. 

I should add here the two year story of his un-retirement to play with Tom Brady in Tampa Bay and them winning a Super Bowl together… but let’s not bother with that now, this is a Patriots site after all. 

The 12th November 2025 saw Gronk sign a one day ceremonial contract to finally, officially retire a Patriot. 

Sixteen years (and about a week) on 29th April 2026 the New England Patriot fans voted that same one Robert Gronkowski into the Patriots Hall of Fame. The GOAT of tight ends is getting his red jacket. 

In his career as a Patriot in Foxborough, this hunk of tight endage racked up 521 receptions, 7861 yards, and 79 touch downs, securing 3 Super Bowl rings in his nine year tenure. 

That particular tight end was the reason that this particular New England Patriots fan from (old) England fell in love with American Football. He was the catalyst for an adoration that could not be denied, and I wondered where it had been all my life!

And so, on a currently undisclosed date, Patriots Nation can celebrate Gronk once more as he is immortalised in yet one more way, with a red jacket in the Patriots Hall of Fame… exactly as he should be.

Go Pats!