When it comes to the 2021 Patriots, and especially the offense, all everyone wants to talk about is the quarterback position and Cam Newton vs. Mac Jones.
But, that may not be where the full attention should lie when it comes to the success of the unit.
It’s the tight ends.
The 2021 Patriots offense will only be as good as their tight ends, specifically newcomers Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith. And that’s no matter who is playing quarterback.
Sure, the quarterbacks are the ones throwing them the ball and incompletions would not allow them to do their jobs, but it’s a lot easier throwing to tight ends compared to wide receivers. The majority of throws to Henry and Smith should be considered high percentage and relatively easy to complete for no matter who is under center.
It’s up to Josh McDaniels to put the players in the right positions and then the players, notably Henry and Smith who were paid a combined $87 million this offseason, to deliver.
“This offense is built for tight ends,” Henry said Wednesday. “Obviously, they have had a lot of success with two tight ends. We’re completely different players from the guys in the past. Those guys were great football players, obviously. They have a tremendous legacy here, so we’re not trying to be those guys. We’re trying to be ourselves. Just looking forward to the challenge ahead. But, this offense has a tradition with two tight ends. I was excited about the opportunity.”
After having the worst production in the entire league at the position the last two seasons, having Henry and Smith aboard should change that in a big way.
"Boston TE Party. Let's bring it back,” Smith said when asked about teaming up with Henry. “Hell of a player. Hell of a tight end. Hell of a man. You know, we're gonna do great things together."
With all that being said, these two players need to be better than they have been in the past. The Patriots paid them this offseason based on what they are expected to do in the offense, not on past performance.
Smith’s career-high in receiving yards is 448 (last year). With how much McDaniels likes to utilize the tight end position and being known for his yards after the catch, if Smith stays healthy and does not best that, his first season in New England would likely go down as a disappointment.
Henry hasn’t had more than five touchdowns since his rookie season and like Smith, if he doesn’t eclipse that this year, it likely will go down as an underperforming season. McDaniels loves his tight ends in the red zone and with Henry's 6-foot-5, 250-pound frame, he should be able to get his fair share of touchdowns.
No one is asking them to put up Rob Gronkowski-like numbers, but without a tremendously skilled wide receiver position, these two need to carry the load of the passing game and combining for around or exceeding 1,200 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns feels like a reasonable ask.
If that doesn’t happen, this offense is going to have a tough time scoring points and therefore winning games.
So, as much as everyone is fixating on the quarterback position, the tight ends are who we really should be paying attention to.
