Pats Pulpit
The tight end position is one of the biggest question marks on the New England Patriots’ roster. While Hunter Henry remains a reliable starter and team captain, and the team just invested a third-round draft choice in Eli Raridon, the depth behind the two suffered a major loss when free agency signing Julian Hill went down with a season-ending injury during offseason workouts.
This created a vacuum particularly in the blocking department; Hill projected as a complementary piece alongside Henry and Raridon. Now, however, somebody else might have to step in.
That somebody might just be second-year man C.J. Dippre.
Name: C.J. Dippre
Position: Tight end
Jersey number: 81
Opening day age: 24 (4/29/2002)
Measurements: 6’4 7/8”, 256 lbs, 9 5/8” hand size, 32” arm length, 79 3/4” wingspan, 4.69s 40-yard dash, 7.27s 3-cone drill, 4.58s short shuttle, 34 1/2” vertical jump, 10’0” broad jump, 32 bench press reps, 8.71 Relative Athletic Score
NFL: New England Patriots (2025-) | College: Maryland (2021-22), Alabama (2023-24)
A multi-sport standout at Lakeland Jr. Sr. High School in Scott Township, PA, Dippre was a four-year starter as both a quarterback and defensive end. However, the three-star recruit committed to Maryland as a tight end instead. He ended up spending two seasons with the Terrapins, playing 25 games with 13 starts. Before entering the transfer portal late during his second season he had amassed 33 catches for 339 yards and three touchdowns.
Dippre received multiple high-profile scholarship offers as a transfer, but eventually picked Alabama over his other finalist, Ohio State. He finished his college career with a two-year stint in Tuscaloosa, adding 27 games and 24 starts to his totals while also catching 32 passes for 443 yards.
After the conclusion of his senior campaign, Dippre entered the NFL as a rookie free agent signing by the Patriots. He appeared in two games during his first season without registering any statistics.
Strengths: Dippre offers an NFL-caliber combination of size and athleticism. He has good straight-line speed to challenge teams down the seam or on crossing patterns, and a feel for finding openings against zone coverage. He also has the strength to be competitive as a blocker, particularly in the run game but also, and plays with some high effort and a solid base in pass protection. He showcases some powerful hands to generate an initial push upon contact, and is able to keep his legs driving to move defenders off the ball when blocking the run.
Weaknesses: Dippre is more of a linear athlete whose lack of explosiveness and lower-body agility can limit his route running and success when challenged at the line of scrimmage and through his patterns. He won’t easily shake defenders but also hasn’t been capable of consistently out-boxing them at the catch point. As a consequence, his receiving upside does seem limited. He also has been uneven as a blocker; he has the tools and core strength to succeed but misplaces his...
