Pats Pulpit
Patriots training camp is set to begin on Tuesday, July 23.
New England Patriots rookies and veterans will soon report back to Gillette Stadium as training camp is set to kick off. For the now Mike Vrabel-led Patriots, their first practice of the summer will begin on Wednesday, July 23 at 10:30 a.m. ET.
Before the players and coaches take the field, our preview series will continue with New England’s tight end position.
*Denotes player on the Pats Pulpit 53-man roster projection
Starters: Hunter Henry*, Austin Hooper*, Brock Lampe* (FB | U-R) | Backups: Jaheim Bell, Jack Westover, C.J. Dippre (U-R), Gee Scott Jr. (U-R)
Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper return as the Patriots top tight end duo in 2025 after the pair was one of the more productive tandems in football last season. The veterans piled up the fifth most receptions (113) and sixth most receiving yards (1,170) among tight ends as they became reliable targets for Drake Maye.
After re-signing Hooper in free agency, New England waited until undrafted free agency to continue to add to their tight end room. That included signing a pair of intriguing skillsets in blocking threat C.J. Dippre and former highly touted wide receiver recruit Gee Scott Jr. That duo joins a pair of holdovers in last year’s seventh-round selection Jaheim Bell and Jack Westover, who was given plenty of opportunities this spring.
Another storyline among this positional group is the potential return of the fullback with Josh McDaniels back in town. The Patriots signed UDFA Brock Lampe as the lone traditional on the roster and based off his involvement in the spring, Lampe seems on track to earn a roster spot.
After an overall quiet spring from the depth tight ends, our way-too-early 53-man roster projection kept just Henry and Hooper at the tight end position. The summer will now provide a chance for one of the UDFAs or holdovers to rise above the rest to either claim a roster spot or practice squad/game day elevation role.
While Scott’s receiving upside is intriguing, former Alabama tight end C.J. Dippre may be the one to watch when the pads come on. At 6-foot-5, 256 pounds, Dippre was at his best as an in-line blocker which would complement New England’s veteran duo nicely atop the depth chart.
With no premium assets used on a successor to Henry this offseason, the 30-year-old is back as TE1 for Drake Maye this season. Henry should remain a favorite target for the young QB coming off a season in which he posted a career-highs in both receptions (66) and receiving yards (674). He now also reunites with McDaniels after posting a best nine touchdowns under the coordinator back in 2021.
