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After nine years, the New England Patriots and their former first-round pick are back together: the team will sign a one-year contract again with Benjamin Watson, the 32nd selection of 2004. The move adds an experienced and complete player to a group of positions that lost both when the future Hall of Famer, Rob Gronkowski, retired from the game at the end of March.
That said, let's reset the patriot depth chart with Watson in the fold.
Tips well rounded
Benjamin Watson
Matt LaCosse
Neither Watson nor LaCosse – both signed as free agents this off-season – will be confused with Gronkowski when it comes to assuming the main responsibilities of the tight final position at a (historically) high level . That said, they are both usable in both areas. Watson, despite his age, is still a capable receiver and an online blocker if he is used in a rotation role. LaCosse is a better receiver than the blocker, but it worked admirably as a password protector. If he continues to improve his still inconsistent course block, he can turn into a real number one.
The primary receiving tight ends
Austin Seferian-Jenkins
Stephen Anderson
The first things first: Seferian-Jenkins was rated by Pro Football Focus blocker in 2018, but its track record and last year's small sample size may not truly reflect its capabilities in this area. In general, the former second-round pick is considered a much better catch-pass than the blocker. The same goes for Stephen Anderson, who told Pats Pulpit in February that he was working on improving his blocking technique with his tight ends, Rob Gronkowski and Dwayne Allen. He also admitted, however, that he still had some way to go.
Primary blocking ends well
Ryan Izzo
Andrew Beck
Izzo may be a bit of a joker when it comes to the Patriots' tight group of players. He saw only a limited action in the play of the passes at Florida State and served mainly as a blocker. That being said, the choice of the seventh round of 2018 has both a size and a level of athleticism enough to potentially win the success as a receiver. Unprepared rookie Beck, meanwhile, is planning to serve as a tight end / back hybrid at the next level.
Overall, the Patriots have depth in all facets of the tight position but only two players successfully combine blocking and receiving – at least based on their past performances. And while Seferian-Jenkins and Izzo are improving to become more "traditional" ends, neither they nor the four other men currently under contract with the Patriots are ready to form the team for the moment.
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