The New England Patriots are already in the center of a franchise-altering offseason. They have a new head coach, restructured their the front office, and are expected to overhaul their roster from the pinnacle down.
Free corporation will be a key section of this process. And while adding exterior players to the combine will undoubtably happen, there are also pretty a few in-house free retailers to be taken care of. In total, 22 are headed towards the open market this spring and in want of a new contract.
Included in that list is tight quit Hunter Henry, the subsequent player in our free agency profile series.
Hard facts
Name: Hunter Henry
Position: Tight end
Opening day age: 29 (12/7/1994)
Size: 6’5”, 258 lbs
Jersey number: 85
Free company status: Unrestricted free agent
Experience
A second-round pick out of Arkansas in the 2016 NFL Draft, Henry right now made his mark with the Chargers regardless of opening the yr as the team’s 1/3 tight end. After quickly earning his first career begin in Week 2, Henry went on to score eight touchdowns his rookie season, marking the fifth-most touchdowns caught by using a rookie tight give up in NFL history.
Henry then dealt with accidents over the next three seasons. His 2017 season ended in advance after Week 15 when he suffered a lacerated kidney. The following offseason, Henry tore his ACL all through OTA’s that price him the complete normal season. He again for the Chargers’ divisional spherical game in which they misplaced to the Patriots.
The following season, Henry suffered a tibia plateau fracture to his left knee in September that price him quite a few weeks of action. In total, Henry played simply 25 video games over the three-year stretch, but nevertheless proved his value as a omit catcher by way of hauling in one hundred receptions in these contests.
Given the franchise tag in 2020, Henry ideal up for 14 video games where he caught a career-high 60 receptions. He relayed that production into a three-year deal with the Patriots in the 2021 offseason.
With New England, Henry became a favourite goal of rookie quarterback Mac Jones. The tight end hauled in nine touchdowns that season — seven of them coming in the first 10 weeks of the season. However, his manufacturing dipped — along with the rest of New England’s offense — the following season as he caught just 41 passes and two scores.
2023 review
Stats: 14 games (10 starts) | 664 offensive snaps (63.2%), 6 special teams snaps (1.3%) | forty two receptions, 419 receiving yards, 6 touchdowns
Season recap: After the down 2022 season, Henry acquired returned on track this year by way of matching his preceding touchdown total (2) in the first two weeks of the season. He again served one of Jones’ top aims as he saw 23 targets over the first month of the season.
Things then cooled off for the tight end as New England’s offensive struggles intensified. Henry managed just thirteen complete receptions and one landing over the subsequent six weeks as the Patriots’ passing assault completely sunk.
Following two quiet video games after the bye, Henry hauled in two touchdowns in a Thursday night victory over the Steelers and then another rating the following week towards the Chiefs. Unfortunately, a low hit late in that Week 14 contest resulted in a knee harm that value him the final three weeks of the season.
Free agency preview
What is his contract history? After taking part in on his unique four-year rookie contract valued over $6 million, Henry obtained the franchise tag in 2020 really worth $10.6 million. The tight stop then hit unrestricted free business enterprise the following yr the place he signed a three-year pact with New England that totaled $37.5 million.
Which groups may be in the running? Similar to Mike Gesicki, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may be in the running as they look to enhance their pink vicinity offense. The Los Angeles Rams ought to also seem to add Henry to their passing assault as tight give up Tyler Higbee is projected to omit the start of the season. The Houston Texans may also additionally be in the market for a tight end if Dalton Schultz departs in free agency.
Why have to he be anticipated back? With none of their top three tight ends from closing season underneath contract, it would make sense for New England to carry returned the most productive of the bunch. Henry is nonetheless a treasured pink place option — his six touchdowns were 2d most amongst tight ends closing season — and is a dependable target over the middle of the field. He ought to be a proper piece to assist a doable rookie quarterback while also retaining a captain in the locker room.
Why he be predicted to leave? As one of the top projected tight ends on the open market, Henry may want to receive a deal that expenditures himself out of New England. And in a new Patriots offense, coordinator Alex Van Pelt may desire a extra explosive player at the position that affords more as a blocker.
What is his projected free organization outcome? With plenty of adjustments alongside the offensive side of the football, conserving a dependable pass catcher and group captain would be clever for the Patriots. New England would additionally be capable to do so for more cost-effective then Henry’s past contract, perhaps with a two-year deal really worth a complete price in the $14 million range.
What do you think about Hunter Henry heading into free agency? Will the Patriots attempt to hold him around? Or will they want to go in a distinct route at cornerback? Please head down to the remark area to discuss.
