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New England Patriots free agency 2020: Top 5 targets

By Russell S. Baxter

FOXBOROUGH, MA - NOVEMBER 24: Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) during a game between the New England Patriots and the Dallas Cowboys on November 24, 2019, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - NOVEMBER 24: Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) during a game between the New England Patriots and the Dallas Cowboys on November 24, 2019, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 15: Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert (85) runs onto the field before the game against the New England Patriots and the Cincinnati Bengals on December 15th 2019, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 15: Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert (85) runs onto the field before the game against the New England Patriots and the Cincinnati Bengals on December 15th 2019, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. TE Tyler Eifert (Cincinnati Bengals)

It goes without saying that the team’s season-long issues at this position certainly had an effect on not only the passing game but the offense as well. The retirement of Rob Gronkowski following the 2018 season dealt a blow to quarterback Tom Brady as well as the Patriots’ ground attack.

It was a who’s who list in terms of the team looking to fortify the position this past year. The team signed free-agent Matt LaCosse away from the Denver Broncos and he finished with 13 catches for 131 yards and one touchdown. The Patriots also coaxed Benjamin Watson out of retirement. Suspended for the season’s first four games, he finished with 17 catches for 173 yards. The Pats also signed Austin Seferian-Jenkins but his stay was short-lived. Lance Kendricks was added in July and gone by early September. New England traded for Eric Saubert (Falcons) but he didn’t make the team. You get the picture.

It had been a rough few years for Cincinnati Bengals’ tight end Tyler Eifert. In 2015, he totaled 52 receptions for 615 yards and 13 touchdowns on his way to being named to the Pro Bowl. Over the next three seasons, the 2013 first-round pick missed a total of 34 games. The team brought him back last offseason via a one-year deal and he responded by playing in all 16 contests for the first time in his seven-year career. Eifert finished tied for second on the team with 43 catches, good for 436 yards and three scores. Could he also be a bargain addition for the Pats?

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