6 Patriots tight end targets to know

Perhaps nothing illustrates how fortunate the Patriots are with their internal free-agent class this offseason better than Austin Hooper, a solid veteran for years nearing the twilight of his career, being among their best players hitting the market.

Hooper had 21 catches for 263 yards and two touchdowns last season, all numbers that were virtually cut in half from the year before when he was in the middle of one of the NFL’s worst offenses.  And yet if Hooper walks, the Pats will have a real hole to fill.

Starting tight end Hunter Henry is entering a contract year at 31, and there are no proven options behind him and Hooper. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is at his best when he has multiple “Y” tight ends to move around, players who can block and run routes effectively from an in-line position. In free agency, most of the players available are “F” tight ends, who are receiving-first players that lean smaller and more athletic than their counterparts.

There are also a few traditional fullbacks on the market, which should appeal to the Patriots after they had to move No. 3 tight end Jack Westover into that position last summer.

Here are the names to know, with contract projections courtesy of Pro Football Focus. Of note: the Patriots are not expected to pursue free agents Isaiah Likely and Chigoziem Okonkwo, per source.

Top targets

Dallas Goedert

Ht/Wt: 6-5, 256
Age: 31
Projected contract: $12 million per year

Even in the back nine of his career, Goedert remains one of the best tight ends in the league. He had 64 catches for 624 yards and a career-high 12 touchdowns last season. He’s still more receiver-first than dominant blocker, but his combination of strong hands, route-running and size will appeal to most, if not every, team in the market for a tight end.

The odds of him landing in New England feel low, though rumblings about whether he will re-sign in Philadelphia have been mixed so far this offseason. The Patriots would also like to get younger at this position, but Goedert may be too good to pass up if the stars align. Those stars would be as follows: a reasonable, short-term contract, Goedert wants a change of scenery and to play for Mike Vrabel and/or with Drake Maye.

Mid-level veterans

Cade Otton

Ht/Wt: 6-5, 247
Age: 26
Projected contract: $10.67 million per year

Few players in the entire league have been more durable than Otton, who’s played almost 4,000 snaps over the last four seasons. He’s a rock-solid player who can play in-line and move around the formation. Cotton matched his career high with 59 catches last year for 572 yards and a touchdown. Against the Patriots, he had a season-high nine grabs, which could leave a lasting impression on a front office looking for a tight end like Otton, who would fill needs in the short- and long-term.

Austin Hooper

Ht/Wt: 6-4, 254
Age: 31
Projected contract: $5.25 million per year

If the Patriots re-sign Hooper, expect another short-term deal that slots him as their No. 2 tight end while a rookie draft pick pushes him for that spot. Unfortunately for Hooper, two of his worst statistical seasons have come with Josh McDaniels as his offensive coordinator (last year and 2022 in Las Vegas), but there may be hope if the Pats can open the middle of the field with more receiving talent in 2026. Hooper, meanwhile, would be the same receiving-first option he’s been thus far in New England.

Bargain bin

Charlie Kolar

Ht/Wt: 6-6, 265
Age: 27
Projected contract: $1.75 million per year

The best run-blocker on this list is a valued piece of Baltimore’s run-powered offense, but could nonetheless spring free. Are the Patriots the right team to land him?

The trouble is deciding whether Kolar can be an effective enough pass-catcher as a No. 2 tight end. His 10 catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns were all career highs. At that rate, the Pats may be just as well off utilizing backup offensive tackle Thayer Munford Jr. as a jumbo tight end, as they did down the stretch last season. But if the Patriots see some untapped potential in Kolar as a threat down the seam and inside the red zone, he should be near the top of their board.