@Anarchy99 - I’d be interested in your thoughts/observations on Devin Asiasi or anything you are hearing from the local beat writers.
Will this kid be one of the rare rookie tight ends that might be viable to start or have as a strong backup option this year?
NE is said to be signing two other TE's . . .Paul Butler and Alex Ellis. I had never heard of either one. Butler has not appeared in an NFL game so far and I think Ellis has like 3 receptions total.
I will post what I see about him when I see anything. Here were some Asiasi blurbs from today:
Today's Practice Notes: Both Asiasi and fellow rookie Dalton Keene seem like they’ll have the opportunity to take the reins at the tight end position without much competition.
Today's Studs: TE Devin Asiasi: Even with a month to go until kickoff, Asiasi has and should continue to be considered the favorite to start Week 1. The third-round rookie displayed soft hands, sharp routes and enough ability to block in full pads. Perhaps best of all, during full-team special teams drills, he worked on a separate field with the rest of the Patriots’ best skill-position players.
Patriots Training Camp / Who Popped: While the kicking-game period was happening, quarterbacks made their way over to the empty field briefly. They were joined for a quick throwing session by N'Keal Harry, Mohamed Sanu, Julian Edelman, James White and rookie tight end Devin Asiasi. These side sessions are the same side sessions that were often populated by Tom Brady and his top pass-catchers in years past . . . Newton hit a nicely-timed pass over the middle to Asiasi in 7-on-7 play . . . Devin Asiasi: Getting some extra time with the quarterbacks during special teams periods is a sign that the Patriots are looking to get him as many receiving reps as possible. He looked smooth catching the football and carries his 257 pounds well.
TE Devin Asiasi Is Also Enjoying Some Early Success: He keeps popping up in the notes on Patriots.com. Here’s one note on how he’s doing: “Brian Lewerke made a nice connection with Gunner Olszewski, who worked nicely with Devin Asiasi on a combination route near the goal line. Asiasi also made a nice catch on a pass from Newton, and later Stidham connected with Mohamed Sanu as well Asiasi.” When Matt LaCosse opted out of the 2020 season, Asiasi had practically no competition to take over the top tight end spot. The fact that he’s making catches early in camp is a good sign. But again, let’s wait to pass judgement before we see him in contact drills. A tight end has a huge physical advantage when safeties can’t be physical. Asiasi’s real test will be against a safety like Devin McCourty when they’re both wearing pads.
As for your question, had there been a regular offseason, Asiasi may have been the rare rookie TE to make some noise in Year One. However, all rookies have missed pretty much all of the offseason and are way behind the 8-ball this year. Even BB mentioned this recently, and there is nothing anyone can really do to make up for that. Asiasi will likely see the field the most of the TE's on the roster, but that isn't exactly saying a whole lot. Maybe he will become more of a red zone threat and get some TD's, but I don't see him piling up a lot of receptions or yardage. Of course, we don't even know who the starting QB will be (Newton is the favorite). Like I said, I will monitor how things go.