The New England Patriots find themselves in a much different position than they were at this time last season. After overhauling the roster in Year 1 under Mike Vrabel, the Patriots turned things around and advanced to Super Bowl LX.
Entering free agency in 2026, the list of needs is significantly shorter for Vrabel and the front office. As they now look to further upgrade the roster and fill just a handful of holes, the Patriots are projected to have more than $40 million in cap space to work with.
Among the positions that could see significant change is the tight end position. While Hunter Henry will be back leading the room, the veteran will turn 32 next season and the depth behind him is limited.
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 veteran will enter the final year of his contract and be 32 years old — perhaps setting 2026 up to be his last (or at least his last as the team’s TE1).
The depth is then thin behind Henry, as Austin Hooper will be an unrestricted free agent this summer and saw his role reduce last season. FB/TE hybrid Jack Westover is also in need of a new contract but can easily be brought back as an exclusive rights free agent. The depth chart is then rounded out by UDFA C.J. Dippre, who appeared in just two games as a rookie.
Beyond getting younger and more explosive at the position, New England also needs to find an in-line blocker. Despite multiple tight end sets becoming more popular around the league, the Patriots only used those formation on 29 percent of their plays last season. Due to their struggles running the ball out of two-plus tight end sets, they opted instead for a six o-line package down the stretch — which did not provide the ability to hunt mismatches in the passing game with tight ends on linebackers.
With Mike Vrabel signaling out the “volume” at the position in this year’s draft, it should be expected that the Patriots dip into this class. But, they also could choose to add to the group in free agency.
Patriots free agency targets at tight end
Isaiah Likely (UFA): Behind Mark Andrews throughout his career, LIkely has never been a full-time player for the Ravens. The Massachusetts native has shown promise as a receiver with some explosive ability and a yards after catch threat, but has coupled big-time plays by being on the wrong side of fumbles or key incompletions in the end zone. The 25-year old will now be looking for a full-time role where perhaps more of his potential can be tapped into.
Charlie Kolar (UFA): Baltimore’s “other” tight end behind Andrews and Likely, Kolar has proven to be one of the best run blocking tight ends in football. He has never caught more than 10 passes across his four seasons, but does show some explosiveness up the seam and is a larger target at 6-foot-6. There could be more to unlock in that department with Drake Maye and Co., while his work in-line would make him a worthy addition.
Cade Otton (UFA): A versatile piece for the Buccaneers offense over the last four seasons (where he has played the second-most snaps among tight ends in football), Otton is a quality blocker who can serve as a reliable target in the passing game.
Chigoziem Okonkwo (UFA): Drafted by Mike Vrabel with the Titans in 2022, Okonkwo comes in a similar mold as Likely. He can not be relied on in the run-game but is an exciting tight end with the ball in his hands averaging almost 6.0 yards after the catch per reception over his career.
David Njoku (UFA): Vrabel also got a first-hand look at Njoku, whose time in Cleveland has come to an end, with the Browns in 2024. The soon-to-be 30-year old is coming off a down season — which included bad QB play — as he did not eclipse the 300-yard mark. Injuries also played a role in that, but Njoku can still provide some juice running downfield routes.
Daniel Bellinger (UFA): An under-the-radar name in this year’s class, Bellinger took on the in-line blocking role for the Giants the past few seasons and found success. Bellinger also posted a career-high 286 receiving yards (15.1 yards per reception) and matched his previous best with two touchdowns last season.
