The New England Patriots were hit with a bit of a bombshell after tight end Rob Gronkowski announced his retirement just a few weeks ago. Now with a huge void left behind, the Patriots are left with no choice but to do everything they can from here on out to assess the tight end position.
ESPN's Dan Graziano believes the team will trade up in the 2019 draft and they could very well do so to take one of this year's top tight end prospects.
Depending on how high the team trades up, they likely have their choice of one of the two Iowa tight ends: Noah Fant or T.J. Hockenson. Hockenson is projected to be drafted around the first 10 picks or so of the draft, Fant is more likely to slide to an area in the draft the Patriots could draft him.
Fant and Hockenson are fantastic talents, however, they will come at a price for the Patriots considering they hold the last pick in the first round. It's unlikely either player will fall that late so New England will need to trade their first round pick as well as another pick or player to compensate whichever team they deal with.
Either player would give the team a huge relief in terms of the tight end position and could rejuvenate a Tom Brady led offense. The Patriots could make a big time move that is uncharacteristic for a team that normally operates quietly in the offseason.
New England is coming off of yet another Super Bowl win and would like to stay at the top of the AFC in 2019 as well.
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