Hunter Henry
FILE - New England Patriots tight end Jonnu Smith (81) takes part in drills at the NFL football team's practice facility in Foxborough, Mass., Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Smith wasn’t looking for a fresh start as much as a place to burnish his reputation as one of the league’s top tight ends when he left the Tennessee Titans and signed with the New England Patriots prior to last season. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)
Patriots tight end Smith poised to have bounce back season

By Kyle Hightower Jul. 29, 2022 02:28 PM EDT

FILE - San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle carries the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game Dec. 5, 2021, in Seattle. No position in the NFL has undergone more changes to the style of player over the years than tight end. Long gone are the days of the blocking specialists who serve mainly as an extra offensive lineman. While guys like Rob Gronkowski, Travis Kelce and Kittle are excellent run-blockers, they are also outstanding receivers and major weapons on offense. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
Tight end position has undergone quite an evolution in NFL

By Rob Maaddi Apr. 25, 2022 06:16 PM EDT

FILE - New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick calls to his players during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. Belichick will turn to the draft to bolster a roster that still needs a youth injection at linebacker, offensive line, receiver and cornerback. (AP Photo/Paul Connors, File)
Frugal Patriots look to use draft to get faster at LB, WR

By The Associated Press Apr. 22, 2022 12:07 PM EDT

FILE - New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks on the sidelines before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Patriots spent heavily in free agency last offseason and got great production in return from new additions. It helped get New England back to the playoffs after a one-year absence. (AP Photo/Doug Murray, File)
Patriots enter free agency eyeing upgrades at LB, WR

By The Associated Press Mar. 10, 2022 11:26 AM EST

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) runs the ball under pressure from Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
Allen-led Bills throttle division rival Patriots, 47-17

By John Wawrow Jan. 15, 2022 11:28 PM EST

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Patriots, doomed by slow start, look ahead to playoffs

By Tim Reynolds Jan. 09, 2022 09:05 PM EST

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) tries to break a tackle by Minnesota Vikings cornerback Mackensie Alexander (24) after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
FANTASY PLAYS: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 17

By Brandon Gdula Dec. 30, 2021 12:19 PM EST

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones yells while running onto the field prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
Patriots look to extend dominance over lowly Jaguars

By The Associated Press Dec. 30, 2021 11:30 AM EST

New York Jets middle linebacker C.J. Mosley, left, tackles Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Lawrence, McCaffrey, Jones headline 2021 All-Absent Team

By Mark Long Dec. 29, 2021 05:35 AM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Ronald Jones (27) reacts after rushing for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
FANTASY PLAYS: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 16

By Brandon Gdula Dec. 23, 2021 01:19 PM EST

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) warms up during an NFL football practice, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Patriots have chance to lock up AFC East title vs. Bills

By The Associated Press Dec. 23, 2021 12:11 PM EST

Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Darius Leonard (53) pushes away New England Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers after intercepting a pass during the first half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Sloppy Patriots loss makes Belichick (even more) grouchy

By Jimmy Golen Dec. 20, 2021 05:04 PM EST

Indianapolis Colts' Matthew Adams, right, blocks a punt by New England Patriots punter Jake Bailey (7) during the first half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Indianapolis. The Colts' E.J. Speed ran the ball back for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Uncharacteristic miscues cost Patriots in loss at Indy

By Michael Marot Dec. 19, 2021 01:19 AM EST

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Zach Pascal (14) is knocked out of bounds by New England Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Taylor helps Colts turn table on Patriots with 27-17 victory

By Michael Marot Dec. 18, 2021 11:26 PM EST

Members of the Indianapolis Colts jog out of the tunnel before the start of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts 12/19/2021

Dec. 18, 2021 08:15 PM EST

Miami Dolphins Dolphins quarterbacks coach Charlie Frye looks on as Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) throws a pass during NFL Football practice at Baptist Health Training Complex in Hard Rock Stadium on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Fla., in preparation for their game against the New York Jets on Sunday. (David Santiago /Miami Herald via AP)
FANTASY PLAYS: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 15

By Brandon Gdula Dec. 16, 2021 01:14 PM EST

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones yells as he runs down the sidelines prior to an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
Surging Patriots to face inconsistent Bills on Monday night

By The Associated Press Dec. 02, 2021 12:08 PM EST

Green Bay Packers' Rasul Douglas breaks up a pass intended for Los Angeles Rams' Van Jefferson during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
FANTASY PLAYS: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 13

By Brandon Gdula Dec. 02, 2021 12:07 PM EST

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Nov. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
FANTASY PLAYS: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 12

By Brandon Gdula Nov. 24, 2021 05:18 PM EST

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) passes against the Houston Texans in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Surging Patriots look to end recent losing streak to Titans

By The Associated Press Nov. 24, 2021 02:22 PM EST