All the tight ends the Patriots have signed and traded for to replace Gronk

How do you replace a player like Rob Gronkowski?

Obviously, the answer is it’s nearly impossible.

How many 6-foot-6, 265-pound tight ends do you know who can catch and block like he can? He was a rare specimen and now leaves a gargantuan hole at tight end for the New England Patriots.

But the franchise has tried and continues to try to find the right TE or two who can at least bring some of what Gronk brought to the Pats’ offense, resulting in a revolving door of tight ends this offseason that hasn’t stopped.

Here’s a complete list of their moves at tight end since winning the Super Bowl earlier this year:

1. Signed Matt LaCosse on March 15

LaCosse actually had a few pretty good games for the Broncos last season, finishing with 250 yards and a touchdown in 2018.

2. Signed Austin Seferian-Jenkins on April 10

He was a good candidate to be the TE1 in this group despite only playing five games last season.

3. Traded Jacob Hollister to the Seahawks on April 29

4. Sign undrafted free agent Andrew Beck on May 4

And they paid him a lot!

5. Signed Ben Watson on May 10

Your new leader in the clubhouse for lead TE duties despite the fact that he’s 38.

6. News broke in late May that Watson would be suspended for four games this season

Not quite a transaction but very much worth mentioning.

7. Released Seferian-Jenkins on June 4

So much for that.

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8. Traded with the Lions for Michael Roberts on June 13

Another name in the mix!

9. The trade for Roberts falls apart on June 14

Reportedly, it was due to a failed physical.

10. The Patriots sign Lance Kendricks on July 24

He has 19 career touchdowns, so I guess that’s something?

That leaves Watson, LaCosse, Kendricks, Beck Stephen Anderson and Ryan Izzo all in the mix at the position. But look at what it took to get to that point!