The New England Patriots are on track to having a formidable tight end room in 2023. They are bringing back Hunter Henry, and they also added Mike Gesicki in free agency from the Miami Dolphins.
Henry is coming off a season that saw him dip below his usual production. He recorded 41 catches for 509 yards and two touchdowns. So it was a difficult season without him being a focal point of the offense.
Gesicki played better for the Miami Dolphins. He tallied 32 catches for 362 yards and five touchdowns. He will reunite with Bill O’Brien, who recruited him at Penn State. He’ll be joining a New England offense that should feature tight ends at a higher rate this season.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler spoke with personnel around the NFL and compiled a ranking of the best tight ends in the league. Henry was noted as an honorable mention, while Gesicki also received votes. Fowler wrote:
Henry led all Patriots tight ends in yards (509) and yards after catch (203). “Not much has changed with his game — he’s still a big, trusted target with good hands,” an AFC coordinator said. “He’s just been in a so-so offense the last two years.”
We have seen O’Brien work his magic with the tight end position in the past. If anything, that gives Patriots fans hope he will be able to do it again.
