The New England Patriots addressed several of their needs in free agency, including at tight end. Julian Hill, formerly of the Buccaneers and Dolphins, was brought aboard on a three-year contract we now know carries a price tag of $15 million.
Based on all the information we have available, let’s grade the signing.
Instant grades: Patriots sign TE Julian Hill
Bernd Buchmasser: The Patriots needed to upgrade the tight end depth chart outside of Hunter Henry, and they still do despite signing Hill. Sure, he projects as a blocking option with what
the team believes to be untapped potential as a receiver, but adding him to the mix won’t prevent New England from adding to the position in the draft. So, what does Hill do? He gives them a stopgap with some experience. | Grade: D+
Andrew Guindon: Hill is currently slated to be New England’s new blocking tight end. Eliot Wolf mentioned to reporters last Thursday that he believes the tight end could have a bigger role as a receiver; Hill has only caught 33 receptions for 288 yards and no touchdowns in three seasons with Miami. Hill’s only 25 years old, so we’ll see if the coaching staff can develop him into a more versatile role. | Grade: C–
Pat Lane: The Patriots had a glaring need at tight end, and they signed Hill to fill that. The problem is, I’m not convinced that they filled anything with Hill. He’s a blocking tight end who doesn’t block particularly well. He has good size but isn’t a very good receiver either. It’s good to have depth, but I don’t see how Hill makes any kind of serious impact on the roster. | Grade: F
Matt St. Jean: As Marlo Stanfield once said, “Price of the brick going up.” With the rise of nickel and now dime defenses as base, blocking tight ends are becoming more valuable. I am not necessarily sold on Julian Hill being a great blocking tight end, but people smarter than me say he’s really shown improvement. Putting a solid blocker next to Hunter Henry should help this offense quite a bit, but we will have to see if Hill can actually be that guy in this offense. | Grade: C-
What do you think about the Patriots signing Julian Hill? Do you like the move? Do you not? And how would you grade it? Please head down to the comment section to discuss.
