No NFL team runs more multiple-tight-end sets than the New England Patriots, and that should continue to be the case in 2016 as long as Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett remain healthy. Patriots coach Bill Belichick explained the approach this way to Sirius XM NFL Radio: "They are kind of interchangeable. They can both block and can both catch down the field, they can run the intermediate routes, they’re both huge targets. I know the quarterbacks love throwing to them. I think it gives us a little variety, just in terms of having to match up against one guy is hard; now having to match up against two of them hopefully we can put some pressure on the defense, both in the running game and passing game.”
Rob Gronkowski
ESPN Fantasy projection: 76.1 receptions, 1,121.5 yards, 9.4 TDs
Over or under: I like the over on the touchdowns but wouldn't be surprised if Gronkowski ends up being under in the other areas. Part of that is accounting for the first four games of the regular season in which Jimmy Garoppolo will step in for Tom Brady at quarterback, and also projecting the possibility Gronkowski isn't active for every game of the season (he's played 15 of 16 in each of the last two years). I don't think the numbers will be too far off, but with Bennett a capable No. 2 option, it won't be a surprise if some of Gronkowski's targets go in Bennett's direction.
Martellus Bennett
ESPN Fantasy projection: 59.9 receptions, 593.8 yards, 6.2 TDs
Over or under: Let's go over across the board. I subscribe to the theory that with defenses paying extra attention to Gronkowski, it will open up more opportunities for Bennett. It wouldn't be a surprise if the Patriots run more than 80 percent of their offensive snaps with both tight ends on the field, so it won't be a matter of playing time for Bennett as much as how defenses decide to handle the dual threat at the position. It also helps that Garoppolo and Bennett have seemed to develop a rapport in the preseason.
Who else could see time: The No. 3 tight end is wide open at this point, with veteran Clay Harbor and 2015 sixth-round draft choice AJ Derby the top candidates. But if Gronkowski and Bennett are healthy over the course of the season, whoever fills that spot likely won't play much more than 15-20 percent of the offensive snaps.
