The New England Patriots drafted eleven new players and signed multiple undrafted free agents over the first few days following the draft. With all that young talent being brought in and the talent already on the team, not everybody will be able to make the 53-man roster for Week 1.
However, Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report predicted that an unlikely undrafted player may just find his way onto the depth chart come week one.
He predicted that CJ Dippre, an Alabama tight end, could have the perfect skill set the Patriots are looking for to boost the tight end room. Sobleski first mentions that tight ends Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper are amazing but lack explosiveness and big-play traits. He then mentions that the backup tight ends are undersized and unproven.
Sobleski also notes that Dippre is an ideal fit for the Patriots, citing his size and skill set as well-suited to what the team looks for at the position. He highlights Dippre’s extensive experience as a blocker and extension of the offensive line, while also pointing out his athleticism at 6-foot-5 and 256 pounds, making him a potential threat in the passing game.
The article concludes the Patriots section by mentioning that veteran tight ends Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper are aging and may not be on the roster for many more seasons. Dippre, he argues, could benefit from learning behind both veterans before eventually taking over a larger role.
Dippre began his college career at Maryland, where he played his first two seasons with the Terrapins before transferring to Alabama for his final two years.
Although he served as a backup for two seasons and a starter for two, Dippre was never the focal point of an offense. Still, he proved a reliable, hard-working contributor in the passing and running games.
In his four college seasons, he had 65 receptions for 782 yards and three touchdowns. Although the stats do not jump off the page, he has the athleticism, skills, and traits to be an NFL talent. He is a big-body tight end who can make contested catches in traffic and is a mismatch to both safeties and tight ends.
Once the ball is in his hands, he can break tackles and fight for extra yards. These are just his talents in the receiving game, not to mention his ability to be a lead blocker or a big help blocking in the pass game.
All these traits could land Dippre the third-string tight end job come week one, and he could eventually even move up from there. He is a better blocker than the Patriots’ third and fourth string tight ends, and he has the same upside on the receiving end.
Dippre also played against plenty of current and former NFL players playing in the SEC and the Big 10, showing that he could hold his own.
The Patriots all offseason were looking for weapons and playmakers, and they may have found one after the draft. They can add explosive talent to a room that lacks it while also bringing in an excellent blocker who is also a big red zone threat.
Rookie camp and training camp will be big for Dippre, and if he can showcase what he is capable of, he may just find himself on the sidelines for the Patriots’ first game this upcoming season.
Related: Joe Milton’s Real Reason For Patriots Trade Detailed In New Report
The New England Patriots drafted eleven new players and signed multiple undrafted free agents over the first few days following the draft. With all that young talent being brought in and the talent already on the team, not everybody will be able to make the 53-man roster for Week 1.
However, Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report predicted that an unlikely undrafted player may just find his way onto the depth chart come week one.
He predicted that CJ Dippre, an Alabama tight end, could have the perfect skill set the Patriots are looking for to boost the tight end room. Sobleski first mentions that tight ends Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper are amazing but lack explosiveness and big-play traits. He then mentions that the backup tight ends are undersized and unproven.
Sobleski also notes that Dippre is an ideal fit for the Patriots, citing his size and skill set as well-suited to what the team looks for at the position. He highlights Dippre’s extensive experience as a blocker and extension of the offensive line, while also pointing out his athleticism at 6-foot-5 and 256 pounds, making him a potential threat in the passing game.
The article concludes the Patriots section by mentioning that veteran tight ends Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper are aging and may not be on the roster for many more seasons. Dippre, he argues, could benefit from learning behind both veterans before eventually taking over a larger role.
Dippre began his college career at Maryland, where he played his first two seasons with the Terrapins before transferring to Alabama for his final two years.
Although he served as a backup for two seasons and a starter for two, Dippre was never the focal point of an offense. Still, he proved a reliable, hard-working contributor in the passing and running games.
In his four college seasons, he had 65 receptions for 782 yards and three touchdowns. Although the stats do not jump off the page, he has the athleticism, skills, and traits to be an NFL talent. He is a big-body tight end who can make contested catches in traffic and is a mismatch to both safeties and tight ends.
Once the ball is in his hands, he can break tackles and fight for extra yards. These are just his talents in the receiving game, not to mention his ability to be a lead blocker or a big help blocking in the pass game.
All these traits could land Dippre the third-string tight end job come week one, and he could eventually even move up from there. He is a better blocker than the Patriots’ third and fourth string tight ends, and he has the same upside on the receiving end.
Dippre also played against plenty of current and former NFL players playing in the SEC and the Big 10, showing that he could hold his own.
The Patriots all offseason were looking for weapons and playmakers, and they may have found one after the draft. They can add explosive talent to a room that lacks it while also bringing in an excellent blocker who is also a big red zone threat.
Rookie camp and training camp will be big for Dippre, and if he can showcase what he is capable of, he may just find himself on the sidelines for the Patriots’ first game this upcoming season.
Related: Joe Milton’s Real Reason For Patriots Trade Detailed In New Report
