5 best training camp battles for Patriots in 2019

1. Tight End

Matt LaCosse vs. Benjamin Watson

Perhaps it is less about a competition at tight end during training camp and more about who will be available the play the position at all. It’s been a fascinating couple of months when it comes to this team at this spot.

This offseason, superstar Rob Gronkowski announced his retirement after nine seasons, 521 receptions and 79 touchdown grabs. And that doesn’t include the damage he did in the postseason, when he added 81 catches – 12 for scores.

So this offseason, the team added former Denver Broncos’ tight end Matt LaCosse. He comes off a year in which he totaled a career-best 24 receptions (250 yards, 1 touchdown). In April, the Pats added journeyman Austin Seferian-Jenkins but opted to release him in early June.

In May, the club signed veteran Benjamin Watson, a first-round pick by the franchise back in 2004 who has made the rounds in the league. But he was already in the midst of walking away from the game. And when it was all said and done he will be unavailable to play in the team’s first four games after violation of the league’s PED policy. It’s worth noting that the Patriots were well aware of Watson’s situation before they opted to bring back the steady performer.

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So as it stands at the moment, Watson, LaCosse, 2018 seventh-round pick Ryan Izzo, Jakob Johnson, Stephen Anderson and rookie free agent Andrew Beck are the six tight ends on the Patriots’ roster. How it will all play out by season’s end is anyone’s guess. Watson’s eventual presence is a big positive. Then again, it may not be wise to assume that a four-year veteran like Lacosse will just hand over a starting job after being presented an ideal opportunity.