"The Patriots have 31-year-old Hunter Henry as their No. 1 tight end. He's steady but unspectacular. Behind him, they had Austin Hooper, who's a free agent and also 31, and little else. They need to get younger and better at the position."
"Fant is a 28-year-old veteran of seven NFL seasons. His best was in 2021 in Denver with 68 receptions for 668 yards and four touchdowns. His production has been diminishing since. In 2025, he managed only 35 receptions for 288 yards and three touchdowns. He's clearly been trending downward."
"Yet, Fant's rating and recent production may be a way for the Patriots to address the position without breaking the bank. The need will be acute if Hooper leaves, and they could probably do worse than signing Fant as a stopgap, while still drafting a tight end in a middle and/or later round."
The New England Patriots face multiple roster holes entering free agency, including offensive line, wide receiver, and edge rusher positions. Tight end represents a secondary need, but becomes more pressing if Austin Hooper leaves. Current starter Hunter Henry, at 31 years old, is steady but unspectacular. The top free agent tight ends—Kyle Pitts, Dallas Goedert, Travis Kelce, Isaiah Likely, and David Njoku—command premium prices that conflict with the Patriots' other priorities. Noah Fant, a 28-year-old Bengals tight end ranked 15th among available free agents by Pro Football Focus, offers a budget-friendly alternative. Though his production has declined significantly from his 2021 peak in Denver, Fant could serve as a stopgap while the team addresses more critical needs and potentially drafts a tight end later.
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