With Rob Gronkowski having entered a short retirement, the tight end position was a major hole in the Patriots offense in 2019.
Because of that, New England invested a pair of consecutive third-round draft picks at the position in April’s NFL Draft.
Now, Scouting Combine roommates Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene are getting a summertime training camp crash course in the New England offense as the rookie tight ends look to inject life into a position that’s been seeming lifeless at times of late.
Both have impressed at times during practice action, though they’ve also clearly looked like raw rookies at other points. Without the benefit of a traditional NFL offseason due to the coronavirus, Asiasi and Keene have taken a workmanlike approach as they try to get game ready.
“It’s definitely been fun for me,” the upbeat Asiasi said in a Monday afternoon video conference with the local media. “A good experience being the first training camp for myself. Just trying to welcome in any challenge the coaches give me and keep pushing forward. Overall, it’s been a good experience. Learning something each and every day and trying to push that forward each and every day.”
The 6-3, 257-pound Asiasi has the look and potential of a pass-catching tight end after a breakout final season at UCLA in which he hauled in 44 passes for 641 yards (14.6 avg.) with four touchdowns.
Keene arrives in New England with a reputation built on versatility at Virginia Tech. He caught 20-plus passes over each of his final two seasons for the Hokies, combining for eight touchdowns. Keene can line up in a variety of roles in the tight end/H-back/fullback mold for the offense.
“I mean to be honest with you, I really don't know what my role is going to be,” Keene admitted. “I'm preparing to do a lot of different things so I got to take a step back and learn as much as I can about the offense. And whatever they ask me to do, that's what I'm going to do. So I don't know exactly what my role will be.”
Given the limited options on the Patriots tight end depth chart, both rookies could indeed be penciled in for significant roles on the offense. As such, both players are trying to get up to speed as quickly as possible, both literally and figuratively.
“I mean there's definitely a huge change in the speed of the game and that's something that I'm trying to adjust to still and I'm still learning a lot,” Keene said. “Trying to make better, faster decisions and being a better fundamental football player. I think that's a really big thing at this level, is just having very sound fundamentals. They can plug and play you in a lot of different spots and you can help the team in a lot of different ways.”
“These are the best players at their position in the league,” Asiasi said of competing against NFL talent. “These are players that put in years of hard work into their craft. Definitely it’s a big transition as far as speed and the physicality of things. That’s what I’m looking for – to challenge myself. Going against the faster guys, going against the strongest guys and trying to elevate my game. It’s definitely been a transition, but it’s something needed for the elevation of the game.”
With less than three weeks to go before the Sept. 13 opener against the Dolphins at Gillette Stadium, the young tight ends are part of a large group of Patriots rookies, young veterans and newcomers trying find their way in this limited lead up game action.
“I think we’re still going through it. I think it’s a challenge for us rookies coming right now because of the whole situation. I think each and every day we’re taking it day by day,” Asiasi concluded. “Trying to see and look at the things we can work on and seeing the things we’re doing well in. Keeping those tools sharp, but also putting different tools in the tool box. For us, it’s trying to take it day by day, welcoming in the challenge every day and working hard and putting our best foot forward.”
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