The New England Patriots have entered the 2026 offseason, and like any other NFL team, they have roster needs. The Patriots' top two needs are to improve their offensive line and their edge positions. They need to diminish the number of sacks they allow on offense and increase the number they produce on defense.
But they also have ancillary needs that need to be addressed, and one of them is tight end. Conor Roche of Boston.com has suggested one to draft who'd fit the bill.
The Patriots' tight end room is thin. They have ever-reliable Hunter Henry entering his year-31 season as the top option. Yet, the 2025 backup, Austin Hooper, is a free agent. If he departs, there's little behind him. Even if the team signs a tight end in free agency, they should still draft a tight end relatively early.
The Patriots' offense under Josh McDaniels frequently uses a 12- or two tight end set. Like any other position, they get dinged up. Having three who can play in the NFL is, therefore, even more essential to the Patriots. They need to add possibly two solid ones this offseason.
The Patriots should consider drafting an amazing tight end and athlete
Athleticism as measured at the NFL Combine is a useful indicator. It's not foolproof, however, as many teams have learned in the past. Yet, when an athlete who stands out at the Combine has also been a productive college player, that's when teams have to take note.
Conor Roche of Boston.com selected 10 possible combine standouts that the Patriots should consider. One of the great interests the Patriots should consider is Eli Stowers, a 6'4", 239-pound tight end from Vanderbilt. It's a position of sneaky need, and he might be just what the doctor ordered.
"Oregon tight end and projected first-round pick Kenyon Sadiq dominated the combine to the point that he might have made it impossible for the Patriots to draft him. But, Eli Stowers had an impressive day and seems to be a potential reasonable target in the first two rounds.
Stowers broke the record in the broad jump for tight ends at the combine (11 feet, 3 inches). He also recorded a 45.5-inch vertical jump, the best for a tight end since 2003. He has good speed as well, running a 4.53 in the 40."
Great athletes who produce are possible future stars
The NFL draft is a crap shoot at best. Can't miss players often flop, and little-heralded ones sometimes star. The Patriots have had their share of both. But when a player is not only a Combine star but also is a productive football player, it's a solid signal that he may be the real deal.
Stowers plays in a position of need, and while tight end is not as needy as the offensive line and the edge, it's still a need. He's a terrific athlete who can also play football. He was not only a Combine workout warrior, as Conor Roche noted, but he also has a nice resume from Vanderbilt to boot.
If you're looking for the best bets in the NFL in the draft, you can't do much better than selecting a terrific athlete who's also been a productive football player.
The Commodore's tight end had a terrific 2025 season, racking up 63 catches for 769 yards and four touchdowns. Not being a flash-in-the-pan, he preceded that top season in 2024 with another stellar effort with 49 catches for 638 yards and five touchdowns.
The Patriots need a young tight end or two around whom to build their future offense. Whether or not they sign a tight end in free agency, if they can draft a top tight end like Stowers in a reasonable round in the draft, they should consider it. He may just be the tight end of the future they are going to need.