What was once a simple equation in the tight end room turned much more complex after free agent acquisition Julian Hill suffered a season-ending injury during OTAs and was placed on injured reserve. Third round pick Eli Raridon is a virtual lock to make the roster, but how involved he is early remains a mystery. Hill was set to play alongside Hunter Henry with the starters, but following his injury, Jack Westover took over as the second tight end behind Henry. It’s clear that the coaching staff trusts Westover to be in the right place at the right time, no matter where he’s lined up on the field. For now, it would appear he’d get the nod, but at 6’2”, 245 lbs., he lacks the size of a traditional inline tight end. If the Patriots fill that role in-house, Tanner Arkin (6’4”, 262 lbs.) and C.J. Dippre (6’5”, 256 lbs.) would be their options, and both have more prototypical blocking size profiles. A UDFA signing this spring, Arkin earned a run blocking grade of 77.2 at the University of Illinois last season, which ranked fourth among FBS tight ends with at least 300 blocking snaps (per PFF). He’ll be able to show more physicality at the point of attack when the pads go on at camp, and may fill the exact void New England has in the tight end room without the need to bring in another veteran free agent.
