Patriots' splurge continues with Hunter Henry signing, fantasy impact

FTN Staff

One tight end wasn’t enough for New England, with the Patriots following up on Monday’s signing of Jonnu Smith by signing ex-Chargers TE Hunter Henry Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

And New England strikes again: The Patriots are signing former Chargers' TE Hunter Henry to a three-year, $37.5 million deal, including $25 million guaranteed, per source.

Free agency's top two tight ends, Henry and Jonnu Smith, wind up in New England.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2021

The 26-year-old Henry has been with the Chargers since landing there as a second-rounder in 2016. He played at least 10 games in four of his five years with the Chargers, missing 2018 with a torn ACL. He has 2,322 career receiving yards and 21 touchdowns.

Hunter Henry joins Jonnu Smith in New England

Fantasy slant: The Patriots’ free-agent spending spree continues. If we’re staring in the crystal ball for 2021, it’s hard not to envision a heavy dose of 12 personnel in New England’s future. Henry will be hard-pressed to repeat last season’s finish as the TE11 (10.4, PPR) in fantasy points per game. Even if we disregard the competition for targets, New England also ranked 31st in pass attempts and first in red zone rushing rate last season. If Cam Newton doesn’t call his own number inside the 20 on most plays, there are still too many other squeamish factors here to consider Henry anything more than a fantasy streamer this year. — Derek Brown