If ye of little faith have given up on Hunter Henry giving us hearty (and healthy) production, reconsider the opportunity he has before him with New England in 2021. The second-round draft pick trudged through injuries throughout the first four years of his career, and missed the last two games of the 2020 season, but that was due to Covid-19 protocols, not an injury. Henry’s shoulder injury was not serious and he’s expected to be back by September. The classically giant tight end has a very good chance at the most impressive season of his career.
Embed from Getty ImagesHenry was on track for over 700 yards last season before illness, averaging forty-four per game. And that was in the mix with an actual elite receiver, Keenan Allen. The Patriots have no such wideout to eat up the lion’s share of catches this year. While Nelson Agholor saw his best season with the Raiders in 2020, an abysmal catch percentage and drop rate make him an iffy deep threat target for two quarterbacks, Cam Newton and Mac Jones, who are desperately needing confidence and dependability in their receivers.
For all intents and purposes of this opinion, Newton isn’t the starting quarterback in New England for long, if he starts at all, and the debacle that was the Patriots passing game last season recovers decently if not exceptionally. Jones led collegiate passers last year in both yards (4500) and completion percentage (77.4%). The passing volume New England could output this season needs a traditional 6’5, 250 pound, quick releasing tight end, of which Henry is all that and more.Â
Starting alongside emerging star Jonnu Smith, Henry’s new offensive scheme has tantalizingly familiar potential for greatness. I probably don’t have to mention the last time Bill Belichick had two stellar tight ends, but come on, that’s what we were all thinking when Henry and Smith were signed. Two $12 million (plus) tight ends weren’t organized on this team for one of them to get 400 yards and 3 touchdowns. They were meant to explode, and a healthy Henry will do just that, easily eclipsing 600 yards.
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