The New England Patriots were one of the top offensive teams in football last season after ranking first in scoring, but touchdowns may be harder to come by next season as both Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez will be coming off surgery and that may mean the team will look to the tight end position in the draft.
According to ESPN.com, Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez underwent shoulder surgery this offseason, making him the second main player at his position to deal with surgery after Rob Gronkowski and his forearm injury. The report says that Hernandez should be ready for the start of the season, but he missed time last year and could have the same issue again.
Hernandez was essential for the Patriots last season when Gronkowski went down and he played in 10 games and made 51 catches while dealing with an ankle injury that happened in Week 2 against the Cardinals and lingered throughout the season. Hernandez and Gronkowski are both locked into long term deals, but since both are coming off injuries, the Patriots may feel that drafting a tight end is necessary.
The team is holding offseason strength and conditioning sessions that are voluntary and mandatory workouts start in May. Gronkowski has been dealing with his forearm issue all offseason and repost said that he may need another procedure that could keep him out for the beginning of the season.
Last season he broke his forearm in November against the Colts and missed time before returning in the playoffs against Houston, where he also broke the forearm again. The Patriots likely will look at wide receiver when the draft comes after losing Wes Welker and failing to snag Emmanuel Sanders, but chances are they will look at the big names at tight end in Zach Ertz and Tyler Eifert.
Both players are considered to be the best prospects at their positions and with Belichick dealing with two injuries to his tight ends, he may trade up to try and snag one of them, as they both produced bug numbers at Stanford and Notre Dame.
