One Of The Pats’ Rookie Tight Ends Gets A TD

The tight end position was basically irrelevant for the Patriots last year in terms of receiving production. Newly-retired Ben Watson led all tight ends with 17 receptions and 173 yards.

Belichick realized the serious need for tight ends and used not just one, but two third-round picks on tight ends, drafting Devin Asiasi out of UCLA and Dalton Keene out of Virginia Tech. Each will be competing for the starting tight end job right out of the gate, with the only other competition being Ryan Izzo.

Keene has five touchdowns last season and Asiasi had four. The Patriots had a grand total of two touchdowns caught all last year by tight ends, which was a huge pivot from the Rob Gronkowski days where he was the top target in the red zone.

Newton has been used to having a tight end to throw to, with Greg Olsen in his time in Carolina. He’s going to target the two rookies down near the goal line and one of them will reel in their first NFL touchdown.