The New England Patriots are looking to fill holes as the preseason concludes, and three positions in particular have caught their interest, per Boston Sports Journal’s Greg A. Bedard.
“The Patriots are not done patching the holes on offense,” Bedard wrote, via NESN’s Dakota Randall. “What else are they looking for? … According to league sources, the Patriots are looking hard at: tight end, nose tackle, receiver.
“The Patriots need another experienced and real option behind Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki. One name to keep an eye on, due to a coaching change: Tommy Tremble, a third-round pick of the Panthers in 2021. He would automatically be the best blocker at TE, and he’s solid in the other areas. He seems to be on the way out.”
Depth behind Henry and Gesicki makes sense for the Patriots, especially when considering offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien’s tendency to lean on the tight ends within his offensive game-planning.
Nose tackle is certainly a position of intrigue as well with the Patriots looking to beef up their defensive front. They tried to do so last week by claiming Marquan McCall on waivers, but that signing fell through due to a failed physical.
Depth at receiver would be a bonus. The Patriots have had at least two young wide receivers in rookie sixth-round draft pick Kayshon Boutte and Demario Douglas emerge as potential options. But they could still use another veteran option on the roster, especially with second-year wideout Tyquan Thornton working his way back from an injury.
It’s clear New England still has work to do at several positions that goes beyond the business of simply cutting down their own roster.
