Yeah it’s a good point, here’s the thing – tight ends cause a lot of problems for defenses. Look at the difference in the Broncos with Julius Thomas. I don’t think that in 2010 that Belichick went out to purposely try to build the Gronk-Hernando offense, it just kind of happened.
They are the original matchup nightmares and if you have one that can really run and catch, it forced the defense to choose who gets to cover them, which is never easy.
Now the Pats have no tight ends signed for this season outside of the recovering Gronk, so they have to make a few moves there. I would definitely not rule out taking one in the first round and as you said, someone who can make the whole offense better.
They had no seam threat without Gronk and that made life on everyone harder. Even if it’s just someone in the Daniel Graham mold, that’s fine. I don’t think they can specifically look at a Hernando-type that early, it has to be someone more traditional and if there’s a move tight end later, they can take a shot on one of those too.
And who knows, maybe Gronk comes back and puts a full season together. Then they’ll really be set. But if Gronk has another year of injuries it’s very likely this will be his last in New England, at least under his current contract.
