The Future of the TE Position in New England

Would you trade up for a chance at either Iowa TE?

  • Yes--trade up into the top 15. Both players are going to be stars

    Votes: 4 9.5%
  • Yes--trade up if one drops into the low to mid 20's but don't go crazy

    Votes: 26 61.9%
  • No--they need the draft capital it would take to move up to address other needs

    Votes: 12 28.6%

  • Total voters
    42

RedOctober3829

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 19, 2005
55,298
deep inside Guido territory
With Gronkowski on the fence each of the last 2 offseasons, how much of a priority is it to you to address the long-term future of the position? This draft seems like a logical time to do so as there are 2 elite TEs available in Iowa's TJ Hockenson and Noah Fant. Hockenson looks like the most comparable to Gronkowski that has come into the league since Gronk himself. He can block really well and also is a force in the passing game. Noah Fant is 6'5" 241 lbs. and ran a 4.5 40 at the combine this weekend. Both have the ability to follow in fellow Hawkeye George Kittle's footsteps to be the next great TE's in this league.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 2, 2006
22,345
Philadelphia
Recent drafts have seen a bunch of deals where one team pays a 3rd rounder to move up 5-10 spots in the 20s. Especially given the number of picks we have in this draft, including three 3rds, I'd probably pay that to secure one of them (more likely Fant than Hockenson). OAK at 24 looks like a good trade partner. Unfortunately, however, both BAL at 22 and HOU at 23 look like teams that could use a dynamic TE.
 

Ale Xander

Hamilton
SoSH Member
Oct 31, 2013
72,428
If I'm trading up I'd rather go after Metcalf or Devin White. I'm not keen on trading a 3rd to move to get Fant. A 5th or 6th to move up 3 spots, to get ahead of GB, sure.

It all depends on cost and who else is dropping and who you think you can get later.
 

kenneycb

Hates Goose Island Beer; Loves Backdoor Play
SoSH Member
Dec 2, 2006
16,089
Tuukka's refugee camp
Recent drafts have seen a bunch of deals where one team pays a 3rd rounder to move up 5-10 spots in the 20s. Especially given the number of picks we have in this draft, including three 3rds, I'd probably pay that to secure one of them (more likely Fant than Hockenson). OAK at 24 looks like a good trade partner. Unfortunately, however, both BAL at 22 and HOU at 23 look like teams that could use a dynamic TE.
BAL traded up to draft Hayden Hurst last year and also took Mark Andrews in the 3rd round in same draft, so I imagine they're set unless they really hate both of them so soon.
 

Super Nomario

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 5, 2000
14,012
Mansfield MA
From what I understand Hockenson and Fant are such terrific prospects and great fits that they'd be worth dealing a third to move up a handful of spots. I don't think we should lock into the idea that we need to replace Gronk, however. Gronk is Gronk and there will never be another one. The Patriots have built effective offenses with many different styles, and this might be an opportunity to build around a different paradigm instead of just trying to do things the same way. I could see them double-dipping at WR early and saving TE for round three or later.