- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,194,714
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
Patriots Signing TE Jonnu Smith Makes Sense, But Do They Need To? originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The biggest weakness on the New England Patriots roster is in the tight end room.
Even before free agent signee Julian Hill had his season ended with an Achilles injury at OTAs, the Patriots' tight end room was not very inspiring.
The room currently consists of veteran Hunter Henry, rookie third-round draft pick Eli Raridon, second-year practice squad player CJ Dippre and undrafted rookie free agent Tanner Arkin.
There remains one particularly interesting tight end on the free agent market, and that is former Patriots pass catcher Jonnu Smith.
Smith spent two seasons with New England before going on a tour, playing for three teams in the last three years, most recently putting his hand in the ground for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He also notably played out his rookie contract under head coach Mike Vrabel in Tennessee.
ESPN thinks the 31-year-old is the best tight end available, and the No. 7 overall player.
"A motion/movement tight end, Smith was released by the Steelers," the ESPN article read. "He can impact the pass game in a system that caters to his alignment versatility and ability to run after the catch. Smith had 38 receptions in Pittsburgh last season, and 68.4% of his career receiving totals have come after the catch."
Smith is a fun player to have in the offense, but I question how much he truly moves the needle.
Josh McDaniels and Mike Vrabel are clearly looking for a tough-nosed, block-first tight end to take a lot of reps as the No. 2 tight end in a heavy package.
That could not be further from the type of player Smith is.
Smith is a detached flanker-type player. His strength when he is "in-line" comes from using his speed post snap to cross formations and find the open field.
It's easy to look at New England's tight end room and say that they should add a body. But I'm not sure Smith is the type of player they're truly looking for.
That doesn't mean they won't settle if the young guys are not progressing the way they need them to this summer.
More NFL: This WR's Crazy Posts Will Make Patriots' Fans Feel Better About A.J. Brown
Continue reading...
