The moment the New England Patriots brought in tight ends, Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith in free agency, the first thing that popped up in most people's minds is the two tight end set the Pats used in the past with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. This duo in the 2011 season put the whole league on notice with 1,327 and 910 receiving yards, respectively. 

That's a high bar to clear, but Henry and Smith project to be productive members in a team that had a pathetic passing offense last year. 

Here are three bold predictions for the more touted of the two, Hunter Henry. 

Stays healthy all season 

Hunter Henry Patriots

Despite not starting in all his games as a rookie back in 2016, Henry looked like one of the most promising players to be the next great tight end. In 15 games that season, he managed to find the end zone eight times. Unfortunately, the injuries started to pile up to the point that he missed the entire 2018 season.

With a new coaching and medical staff, his recent form, and some luck, we might finally see Hunter Henry play a whole season. Although he was placed on the injury reserve/COVID-19 list the previous season, he managed to play in 14 games. With a healthy season comes more production, which leads us to the next prediction. 

Racks up 800 receiving yards

Julian Edelman, Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Patriots

Newly acquired Patriots wideouts Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne provided much-needed upgrades to a position of need.

Both players will provide openings for Hunter Henry to feast on. Henry is a crafty player, who can locate weaknesses in coverage and attack them. He can regularly do damage over the middle of the field. The most number of receiving yards he had in his professional career so far was 652. 

With Cam Newton more familiar with the New England system and his new weapons, his level of play should increase. Henry would make a great safety net for Newton and might even remind the quarterback of his days with the Carolina Panthers playing alongside tight end Greg Olsen.

Because of Kansas City Chief Travis Kelce and Baltimore Raven Mark Andrews, it is unlikely that Henry would be included in the Pro Bowl, but that does not mean that his season could not be Pro Bowl-like. 

Develops as a blocker

Chargers, Hunter Henry, Philip Rivers

The modern tight end is used primarily as an oversized receiver with a few exceptions, who can still function as an additional lineman. While Henry was signed primarily for his receiving prowess and Smith is the one who has displayed more blocking ability, the former might be tasked to round out his game on the less glamorous side of the offense. Doing so would help confuse other teams. 

At 6'5, 250 pounds, Henry has the strength and build to be a positive in both run blocking and pass protection. For years the Patriots had some of the best offensive lines in the NFL and who knows some of that might rub off on Henry.