The 2026 NFL Draft is less than three weeks away as the New England Patriots continue the process of finishing their board. Things will look quite different for the team this draft picking 31st overall after back-to-back years selecting in the top-five. Among the positions that is expected to be addressed this year is tight end — a class head coach Mike Vrabel has continued to compliment.
So, with that said, let’s take a look at some of the prospects that might make sense for the Patriots at the position.
Patriots’ current tight end situation
It was another steady and successful season for Hunter Henry, who posted a career-high 768 receiving yards to go with seven touchdowns. But, the 32-year old is set to enter the final year of his contract — perhaps setting 2026 up to be his last (or at least his last as the team’s TE1).
New England then signed Julian Hill to a three-year contract worth up to $18 million in free agency. Hill is known best for his work as a blocker in the run game while the team believes there is untapped production in the run game.
The rest of the depth chart includes FB/TE hybrid Jack Westover, 2025 undrafted free agent C.J. Dippre, who appeared in just two games as a rookie, and Marshall Long.
Patriots NFL Draft fits at tight end
Max Klare (Ohio State): After a highly productive season at Purdue, Klare transferred to Ohio State last year and saw his numbers slightly dip joining a more talented group of pass catchers. Still, Klare showed his athleticism as a pass catcher that leaves his upside enticing while he also has the size and compete level to survive as a Y tight end in the NFL. | Consensus ranking: 74
Oscar Delp (Georgia): Delp’s career 18.9 receiving yards per game over his final three seasons looks extremely underwhelming. But he is an elite athlete who can pull away from defensive backs and explode up the seam that was not done many favors by his quarterback or offensive coordinator. At 6-foot-5, 245 pounds, Delp can also play inline as a movement blocker while holding up against defensive ends at times. He has all the makings of a tight end who will produce more in the NFL than he did at college. The Patriots hosted him this past week for a visit. | Consensus ranking: 93
Eli Stowers (Vanderbilt): At 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, Stowers is an explosive athlete with good ball skills and led all FBS tight ends in 2025 with 64.1 receiving yards per game. However, Stowers’ impact strictly comes as a pass catcher (just 21% of snaps came inline) as he does not have the play strength to serve as a blocker — leaving some to believe a transition to wide receiver is in his future and perhaps making the Patriots an unlikely suitor. | Consensus ranking: 54
Sam Roush (Stanford): A traditional Y tight end at 6-foot-6, 267 pounds, Roush is a physical blocker but also an impressive athlete that showed in his testing at the NFL Combine (9.94 Relative Athletic Score). That athletic profile will allow him to contribute in the passing game, but a 1st percentile arm length and 8th percentile wingspan negatively impact his catch radius and ability to latch on defenders as a blocker. | Consensus ranking: 108
Eli Raridon (Notre Dame): After tearing the same ACL twice in two years, Raridon has bounced back to appear in all 28 games over the last two years for the Fighting Irish. Raridon has a good athletic profile and large hands (95th percentile) that allows him to succeed in contested catch situations and on passes outside his frame while averaging over 15.0 yards per catch. And as a Notre Dame tight end, he blocks with plenty of effort and was often impressed in the run game. | Consensus ranking: 137
Jack Endries (Texas): It wasn’t an overly productive season at Texas after transferring from Cal where he led the Golden Bears with 623 receiving yards in 2024. Endries has reliable hands and is savvy to uncover against zone coverages. He will compete inline but it more of a movement blocker. | Consensus ranking: 151
In addition to those players, other names to watch include: Justin Joly (NC State), Joe Royer (Cincinnati), Nate Boerkircher (Texas A&M), Marlin Klein (Michigan), Dallen Bentley (Utah), Dae’Quan Wright (Ole Miss), and Will Kacmarek (Ohio State).
