Training Camp Preview: Tight Ends

Overview:

For the last five or six years, tight ends have been a very esssential piece of the Patriots offense.  The Patriots generally don’t start a full back and start two tight ends instead (or an h-back).  However, this year the Patriots acquired more than a handfull of potentially star receivers.  Will this take away from the tight ends productivity in the Patriots offense?  Whether or not, the Patriots have a nice core of tight ends.  It starts with fourth year tight end Ben Watson.  Watson has pro bowl talent, but something always seems to be stopping him.  Last year, he was off to a great start the first half of the year, but slowed down tremendously.  The Patriot’s usual other starting tight end, Daniel Graham, left for the Broncos this offseason.  But the Patriots have a new weapon ready.  His name is David Thomas.  In limited playing time in ‘06 as a rookie, Thomas excelled, and showed some of the softest hands on the team.  I expect he’ll have at least 25-30 grabs this year.  Thomas however, is not a blocking tight end (which Graham was).  So they went out and signed the best blocking tight end on the market, Kyle Brady.  Although Brady never lived up to his hype coming out of college, he is a great blocker and a decent receiver (looked very good in minicamp).  Garrett Mills is also an interesting player.  He was very good last year in the preseason, before going on IR.  He is also quite versatile, which is a plus (plays h-back and fullback, as well as tight end).  Matt Kranchick is a big body, he won’t make the roster, but can still make the practice squad.

Roster

Garrett Mills

Matt Kranchick

Kyle Brady

Ben Watson

David Thomas

Predicted Depth Chart

1. Ben Watson. Rating: 91

2. David Thomas.  Rating: 79

3. Kyle Brady.  Rating: 76

4. Garrett Mills.  Rating: 71

CUTS: Matt Kranchick

Training Camp Battles:

Garrett Mills vs. Himself

Can Mills stay healthy?  Can he play well enough and be versatile enough to make it to the roster.  If he gets cut, he probably won’t make it to the practice squad, because he will be taken off waivers.

Tight End Grade: B+