The New England Patriots look to return to the Super Bowl with the latest additions set to come through the 2026 NFL Draft.
New England lost some pieces on offense this free agency, including tight end Austin Hooper, who signed a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons.
The tight ends in the 2025 season accounted for a third of Drake Maye’s touchdown passes and just under a fourth of the QB’s passing yards. Needing some depth at the position, one draft analyst predicts the Pats will add a tight end in just over a week.
Patriots Predicted to Add All-American Tight End
GettyThe Patriots are predicted to add their next long-term option at tight end
Hunter Henry will continue to be the top tight end on the New England Patriots roster, having what can be considered his best season in the NFL. The tight end hauled in 768 yards and 7 touchdowns on 60 receptions, and recorded 112 yards and a touchdown catch in the team’s Super Bowl run.
While having a strong season with Drake Maye as his QB, Henry is also entering the final year of his contract. He will also turn 32 years old in the middle of the 2026 season. Needing a younger, long-term option at the position, the Patriots can shift their focus to the NFL draft
NFL draft analyst Chad Reuters predicts the Patriots will take Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers with the 31st overall pick.
“I won’t be surprised if a team selects Stowers in Round 1, given his athletic profile, which reminds me of past first-round TEs Noah Fant and Evan Engram. The Patriots could use a receiving tight end to replace Austin Hooper.”
Stowers registered 769 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns in his fifth and final collegiate season with Vanderbilt, earning him an All-American nod. Across his college career, the tight end has logged 1,773 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Formerly a quarterback, Pro Football Focus ranks the tight end as the second-best at his respective position and the 53rd-best prospect in this year’s draft class.
The Vanderbilt tight end received an 81.6 overall grade from PFF in the 2025 season, also recording a 71.5 run block grade.
Hoping to get back to the Super Bowl in year 2 of the Mike Vrabel era, adding a player of Eli Stowers’ versatility could be a positive step for the team.
WEEI’s Jon Lyons reports that the Patriots are interested in the tight end and could be a second-round selection for the team.
Pars Added TE from Rival
GettyThe Patriots snagged a player from a divisional rival
While adding Eli Stowers gives the New England Patriots a potential long-term answer at the position, the team has addressed the position this offseason by signing a tight end of a divisional rival.
The Patriots signed former Miami Dolphins tight end Julian Hill to a three-year, $15 million deal.
Hill’s numbers don’t stand out, having amassed 288 receiving yards and remaining without a touchdown catch in his career, but he will likely be a major contributor in the team’s offensive blocking schemes.
This gives the Patriots some room to add Eli Stowers and be the second option in the pass game.
Patriots Predicted to Add 11-Touchdown Weapon for Drake Maye