The Patriots are signing TE Mike Gesicki to a one-year deal worth "up to" $9 million, according to multiple reports. Gesicki was a forgotten man in HC Mike McDaniels' Dolphins offense last year, mustering just 32 catches for 362 yards and 5 TDs on a 45% snap rate. He's still just 27, though, and topped 700 receiving yards in both 2020 and 2021. He finished both of those seasons as a top-9 TE in PPR points, while ranking 6th and then 13th in Pro Football Focus receiving grade. Gesicki joins Hunter Henry in New England's TE room, but the two have played different roles to date. Henry played a career-low 26.5% of his pass snaps inline (according to Pro Football Focus) and a career-high 61.6% in the slot in 2021, his first year with the Patriots. Last season, though, he spent exactly the same amount of time (43.3% of pass snaps) in each role -- with a career-low 10.3% out wide. Gesicki has spent just 19.5% of his career snaps inline -- the traditional TE spot -- 58.9% in the slot and 21.1% out wide. Considering the current state of the New England WR corps (JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne), there's room for both TEs to be relevant. We'll look for clues on how the targets will be divvied. For now, don't consider Gesicki more than a low-TE2 in fantasy football drafts. And there's no reason to downgrade Henry's fantasy outlook. He has already been going in mid-TE3 range of best ball drafts. His career-long penchant for end-zone targets makes him well worth mixing in at that level.
The Patriots are trading TE Jonnu Smith to the Falcons, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The move primarily looks like a salary dump for New England. Smith caught just 55 passes at 9.8 yards per reception across two seasons after signing a $50 million deal as a 2021 free agent. Atlanta might seem like an awkward fit for him as well, with TE Kyle Pitts already on hand. But the third-year Falcon is more receiver than TE. He has played just 21.8% and 25.6% of pass snaps from an inline position the past two years. Smith, meanwhile, has never run less than 52.6% from there. He was inline on 59.5% of routes last year and topped 64% in each of his first three NFL seasons. He spent those three years -- plus one more -- playing under current Falcons HC Arthur Smith. In Tennessee, Smith served as TEs coach over Smith's first two years, and then OC for the other two. Smith increased his receptions every season there but topped out with a 41-448-8 receiving line in 2020. It'll be similarly tough for Smith to find much fantasy value in Atlanta's run-heavy offense. And we're not downgrading Pitts' outlook for the short or long term on Smith's arrival. Check our dynasty rankings to see how optimistic we remain on Pitts. Smith's departure from New England, meanwhile, certainly can't hurt TE Hunter Henry's opportunities.
The Patriots hired Bill O'Brien as OC. He returns to the same position he held in 2011, when New England ranked 2nd in total yards and 3rd in points with QB Tom Brady. O'Brien was also on the Patriots' offensive staff from 2007 to 2010, so he has plenty of familiarity with the organization. Since leaving New England after that 2011 campaign, O'Brien spent 2 years as Penn State's HC, 7 years as the Texans' HC and, most recently, the past 2 years as Alabama's OC. If nothing else, the Patriots will have a legitimate offensive mind running the offense in 2023 -- something they didn't have this past season.
Patriots TE Jonnu Smith (concussion) is out for today's game vs. the Bills. That gives TE Hunter Henry the potential to play a big role again. He registered a 100% route rate and 18% target share last week. The issue is the matchup against the Bills, who rank 2nd in both adjusted fantasy points allowed to TEs and Football Outsiders' TE coverage rankings.
Patriots TE Hunter Henry (knee) is active for today’s game vs. the Dolphins. Henry got in 3 limited practices this week after getting knocked out of last week’s loss to the Bengals. It’s unclear if he’s ready to play his usual role today, leaving him in TE2 territory in the Week 17 Rankings.
Patriots TE Hunter Henry (knee) is expected to play vs. the Dolphins, ESPN's Dan Graziano reports. Henry was limited in practice all week and is listed as questionable. Miami ranks 29th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to TEs, and New England will be without TE Jonnu Smith (concussion). But the knee issue adds enough risk to keep Henry out of TE1 consideration.
Patriots TE Hunter Henry (knee) is listed as questionable for Week 17 vs. the Dolphins after logging limited practice all week. The veteran has been quiet over the last 2 weeks, only tallying 2 receptions on 4 targets. It's probably wise to look for TE help elsewhere for your fantasy lineup. TE Jonnu Smith (concussion) has been ruled out.
Patriots TE Hunter Henry (knee) once again participated in a limited capacity at Thursday's practice. Pop back in tomorrow for a more concrete outlook for his status ahead of Week 17 vs. the Dolphins.
Patriots TE Hunter Henry (knee) practiced in a limited fashion on Wednesday. It's too early to tell if his availability for Week 17 vs. the Dolphins is in jeopardy. We'll keep tabs on the TE this week. Check back tomorrow for updates.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport hears that Patriots TE Hunter Henry "has a chance" to play vs. the Dolphins this weekend. He was knocked out of the Week 16 loss to the Bengals with a knee injury and is considered "day-to-day," per Rapoport. We'll track Henry's status throughout the week.
Patriots TE Hunter Henry suffered a knee injury in the 1st quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Bengals and is officially questionable to return. We'll update his status when we know more.
Update: Henry has been ruled out.
Patriots TE Hunter Henry snagged all 3 of his targets for 70 yards in Week 14. While his volume proved disappointing — especially with DeVante Parker exiting early with a concussion — the output turned out just fine in a plus matchup with Arizona. Next up for Henry is a neutral matchup with the Raiders.
Patriots QB Mac Jones racked up 382 yards on 28-of-39 passing in Thursday night's loss to the Vikings. He found WR Nelson Agholor and TE Hunter Henry for TDs. Jones nearly added a 3rd in the 3rd quarter, but Henry lost control of the ball as he went to the ground. Jones targeted RB Rhamondre Stevenson (10) and WR Nelson Agholor (8) most often. Agholor set a season high in targets and matched his top mark of the year in receptions. Jones beat his career high in yards by 61, hitting 300 for the 2nd time this season. He gets the 6th-best remaining schedule for QB scoring by our adjusted fantasy points allowed -- tops in the league from Week 14 on.
The Patriots threw for just 147 yards in Sunday's win over the Colts. QB Mac Jones completed a decent 66.7% of passes but averaged just 4.9 yards per attempt. WR Jakobi Meyers caught 5 of 6 targets but managed a mere 42 yards. TE Hunter Henry caught all 4 of his targets for 50 yards. RB Rhamondre Stevenson led the team with 7 targets and claimed Jones' sole TD pass. New England gets a Week 10 bye.
Patriots TE Jonnu Smith (ankle) is active for today’s game vs. the Browns. He’s not a fantasy option but figures to put a dent in TE Hunter Henry’s routes and targets.
Patriots TE Jonnu Smith (ankle) is questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the Browns after a limited week of practice. He’s not a fantasy option, but his return would likely mean fewer pass routes for TE Hunter Henry.
Patriots TE Jonnu Smith (ankle) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Lions. That should mean more routes for TE Hunter Henry, but he’s still tough to trust in fantasy lineups.
Patriots QB Mac Jones and the 1st-team offense had another rough outing in Friday night's preseason finale. Jones completed 9 of 13 passes for 71 yards (5.5 YPA), 0 TDs and 1 INT across 4 series. The possessions went: 3-and-out, INT, 3-and-out, FG. The offense reportedly struggled throughout training camp, too, looking uncomfortable in the Josh McDaniels-less system. Pass protection has also been a problem. It'll be tough to trust any piece of this Patriots passing game in early-season fantasy lineups.
According to multiple accounts, Patriots TE Hunter Henry left Tuesday morning's practice early. We have yet to see details on an injury but will keep watch for updates.
Patriots WR Nelson Agholor (concussion) is out for Sunday's game vs. the Bills. WR Kendrick Bourne remains on the COVID list and is unlikely to play this weekend. WR N'Keal Harry (hip) is listed as questionable after a limited week of practice. He figures to start if he's able to play on Sunday. But WR Jakobi Meyers and TE Hunter Henry will likely be the focal points of New England's passing game.
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