The New England Patriots are trying to find an identity. It’s messy. After decades of relying on the most dominant tight end play in NFL history—thanks to the Gronkowski era—the current Patriots TE depth chart looks more like a collection of "what-ifs" and reliable veterans rather than a powerhouse unit. You’ve seen the games; the offense stalls in the red zone, the blocking on the edge is occasionally suspect, and there’s a massive weight on one man's shoulders.
Hunter Henry. He’s the guy.
But behind him? That’s where things get interesting and, honestly, a little bit concerning for fans who want to see Drake Maye or any future franchise QB succeed. Developing a young quarterback requires a safety net. In the NFL, that net is usually a 6'5", 250-pound tight end who can sit in the soft spot of a zone. Right now, New England is betting big on a mixture of aging reliability and unproven youth.
The Reality of the Patriots TE Depth Chart Right Now
At the top, it’s Hunter Henry. Period. He’s basically the heartbeat of the passing game when things go sideways. Since arriving in Foxborough, Henry has been the most consistent target for a rotating door of quarterbacks. He isn't the fastest guy on the field. He’s not going to outrun a nickel corner on a vertical route. But his hands? Like glue.
In the 2024 season, Henry continued to prove why the front office prioritized his extension. When you look at the Patriots TE depth chart, the gap between Henry and the number two spot is wide. It’s a canyon. He leads the room in snaps, targets, and "clutch" catches. Whether it's a 3rd-and-6 or a goal-line fade, Henry is the first read.
Then there’s Austin Hooper. Bringing in Hooper was a savvy, if unflashy, move. He’s a "pro’s pro." You know exactly what you’re getting: solid inline blocking and the ability to leak out for a five-yard gain when the defense ignores him. He doesn't have the ceiling he once had in Atlanta, but in Alex Van Pelt’s system, which loves multiple tight end sets, Hooper is a vital piece of the puzzle. He’s the bridge.
The Rookie Factor: Jaheim Bell
This is where the excitement—and the risk—lives. Jaheim Bell is the wild card. Drafted in the seventh round out of Florida State, Bell doesn't look like a traditional tight end. He’s more of a "positionless" weapon. Some call him a "big slot," others see him as a hybrid H-back.
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Bell's inclusion on the Patriots TE depth chart represents a shift in philosophy. The Patriots are finally looking for YAC (yards after catch). For years, the TE room was filled with guys who caught the ball and immediately fell over. Bell is different. He’s twitchy. He can take a shallow cross and turn it into a twenty-yard gain. However, his blocking is a work in progress. If he can’t hold his own against a defensive end in the run game, his snap count will stay low. Jerod Mayo and the coaching staff have been vocal about "earning" playing time through versatility, and Bell is the ultimate test case for that.
Why the Scheme Demands Three Quality TEs
You can't talk about this depth chart without talking about the West Coast offense variations the Patriots are implementing. It’s not the Erhardt-Perkins system of the Brady years. It’s a system that relies on "12 personnel" (one running back, two tight ends).
When the Patriots run 12 personnel, they force the defense into a conflict. Do they stay in base defense with three linebackers? If so, Hunter Henry wins on a route. Do they go to nickel with an extra defensive back? Then the Patriots run the ball behind Hooper and Henry. It’s a chess match. But this only works if the second and third tight ends are actually threats.
If the defense knows that Austin Hooper is only in there to block, the advantage disappears. That’s why the development of a third option—be it Bell or a practice squad elevation—is so critical. Mitchell Wilcox has been that "glue guy" in the past, providing depth when injuries strike. He’s the type of player who won’t show up in your fantasy box score but will be the reason a touchdown run happened because of a backside seal block.
Injuries and the "Next Man Up" Myth
Let's be real: Hunter Henry has an injury history. He’s been remarkably durable in New England, but he’s over 30 now. If Henry goes down, the Patriots TE depth chart collapses into a very one-dimensional unit.
- Scenario A: Henry is healthy. The offense has a middle-of-the-field threat that opens up the outside for the wide receivers.
- Scenario B: Henry is out. Suddenly, Austin Hooper is asked to be a WR1 from the TE position, which isn't his game. The pressure on the young wideouts like Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker triples.
The team has flirted with other names. They’ve looked at the waiver wire constantly. Why? Because they know they are one rolled ankle away from a crisis at the position.
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The Scouting Perspective on New England’s Strategy
Scouts will tell you that New England is currently "middle of the pack" in tight end talent. They don't have a Travis Kelce or a George Kittle. They don't even have a Sam LaPorta type of breakout star yet. What they have is "competence."
In the NFL, competence is underrated, but it has a ceiling. To break through that ceiling, the Patriots need Jaheim Bell to become a legitimate "F" tight end—the move piece that creates mismatches. Currently, the Patriots TE depth chart is built for floor, not for ceiling. It’s built to ensure the quarterback doesn't get killed and the run game has a chance.
We’ve seen the front office move away from the "two-headed monster" approach they tried with Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry a few years back. That was an expensive failure. Now, they are being more surgical. They are pairing a high-priced, high-reliability veteran (Henry) with cheap, specific-role players. It’s a smarter way to build a roster, even if it doesn't grab headlines in the offseason.
Comparing to the Rest of the AFC East
Look at the division. The Bills have Dalton Kincaid, a rising superstar. The Dolphins have Durham Smythe and have experimented with more athletic options. The Jets have Tyler Conklin, who is surprisingly productive.
Where do the Patriots rank? Probably second or third. Henry is arguably the most "complete" tight end in the division because of his touchdown equity and blocking, but Kincaid has the higher upside. The Patriots TE depth chart doesn't need to be the best in the league, but it needs to be the most dependable. In 2026 and beyond, that dependability is the only thing that will keep a young offense on schedule.
What Fans Get Wrong About the Position
Most fans just look at catches. They see 4 catches for 42 yards and think the tight end had a "quiet" day. They don't see the 15 snaps where Hunter Henry chipped a defensive end to help a struggling left tackle. They don't see Austin Hooper identifying a blitz and adjusting his route to give the QB a hot read.
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The tight end is the "utility knife" of the Patriots' offense.
If you're watching the game, don't just watch the ball. Watch where the tight ends line up. Are they in the backfield? Are they split wide? The Patriots TE depth chart is used more as a diagnostic tool for the quarterback than as a primary yardage engine. If Henry is split wide and a linebacker follows him, the QB knows it’s man coverage. That information is worth more than a five-yard catch.
Actionable Insights for the Future
The Patriots are likely not done tinkering here. While the current roster is set for the immediate games, the long-term outlook suggests they will look for another "Y" tight end (a traditional inline blocker/receiver) in the upcoming draft or free agency cycles.
If you are tracking this unit, watch these specific factors:
- Red Zone Target Share: If Henry’s targets drop, the offense usually stalls. Watch if Bell starts taking these "money" snaps.
- Snap Distribution in 12 Personnel: If Hooper and Henry are on the field for more than 40% of snaps, it means the coaching staff doesn't trust the WR3 or WR4.
- Special Teams Value: For the guys at the bottom of the Patriots TE depth chart, like a Mitchell Wilcox or a developmental practice squad player, their lifeblood is special teams. If they aren't tackling on punts, they won't be on the roster long.
The tight end room in New England is a microcosm of the team itself: transitioning, slightly older at the top, but desperately searching for a young spark to ignite the next era of Patriots football. It's not flashy, but it's the foundation.
To really understand where this team is going, keep your eyes on the big guys wearing the 80s and 40s. They tell the story of the game before the ball is even snapped. Whether it's Henry’s veteran savvy or Bell’s raw athleticism, this group will determine if the Patriots' offense can finally move out of the basement of the AFC.