The New England Patriots begin their 2019 training camp at Gillette Stadium on Thursday, and the tight end position remains a fluid situation.
The Pats have undergone quite a few changes at tight end since defeating the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII back in February.
There have been a few notable departures. Rob Gronkowski decided to retire, Dwayne Allen was released and Jacob Hollister was traded. There were a few meaningful additions, too, headlined by the signing of Matt LaCosse and the return of Benjamin Watson.
New England made another move Wednesday by reportedly agreeing to a one-year contract with veteran tight end Lance Kendricks. The 31-year-old played for the Green Bay Packers last season and tallied 19 receptions for 170 yards and one touchdown. Kendricks has proven quite durable, too, missing just three games in his eight-year career and none since 2015.
Here's what the Patriots' tight end depth chart looks like after the addition of Kendricks.
Matt LaCosse
Benjamin Watson
Lance Kendricks
Stephen Anderson
Ryan Izzo
New England Patriots
Watson probably is the best of the bunch after tallying 35 receptions for 400 yards and two touchdowns for the New Orleans Saints last season. However, he is suspended for the first four games of the 2019 campaign as a result of a failed drug test. LaCosse has a tremendous opportunity to establish himself as the No. 1 tight end in training camp and the preseason.
Patriots fans no doubt are hoping Gronkowski changes his mind about retirement and returns at some point this season, but the chances of that happening don't seem too high.
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