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Patriots Position Preview: Tight End

BOSTON (CBS) -- As long as Rob Gronkowski can find time from his busy life of popularity to return to the football field, the Patriots will be A-OK at tight end.

Gronk played a full season in 2014, aside from a quick breather in Week 17 against the Bills, and while they weren't his ridiculous numbers from 2011, he still put quite the dent in most defenses the Patriots played against, finishing with 82 receptions and 12 touchdowns.

More: Patriots Position Previews

He did all of that with only Tim Wright as his pass-catching sidekick at tight end. This year, he has a much more experienced running mate.

Here's a closer look at the Patriots' situation at tight end for the 2015 season:

Additions
Scott Chandler (FA), A.J. Derby (draft)

Subtractions
Tim Wright (claimed off waivers by Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Depth Chart

Rob Gronkowski
Scott Chandler
Michael Hoomanawanui
A.J. Derby
Jake Bequette
Jimmay Mundine

Outlook

Really, all we need to say here is if Rob Gronkowski is healthy, the Patriots will be alright at tight end. Heck, even their offense as a whole will be fine if Gronkowski is healthy.

Gronk led everyone in a New England uniform with 1124 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 75 receiving yards per game. Of his 82 receptions last season, 60 of them moved the chains for the Patriots. Only Julian Edelman saw more passes go his way last season with 135 targets, but Gronk was right there with 130.

But this year, the tight end depth chart is much more than just Gronk. The weight of the world at that position won't be riding on just No. 87's shoulders, thanks to the offseason addition of Scott Chandler. Chandler brings 17 career touchdowns to New England, all with the Buffalo Bills over the last four seasons. He signed a two-year, $5.3 million contract with the Patriots this offseason and at 6-foot-7, gives New England another big red zone threat.

Life should be a lot easier in the red zone for Tom Brady, thanks to those two big targets when there isn't much field to work with. If both remain healthy, the New England offense should be electric.

The addition of Chandler means Michael Hoomanawanui gets pushed down the depth chart a bit, but his roster spot should be safe. He's a solid vet that has been in the system the last three seasons, and though he doesn't catch many passes he is very good at helping protect Tom Brady.

After Hooman, things get interesting. The Patriots have rookie A.J. Derby, a sixth-round pick, and converted defensive lineman Jake Bequette potentially battling for a depth spot on the roster. Derby has just one year of experience at tight end, a converted college linebacker and quarterback, and is coming off a knee injury that caused him to miss the final two games of his collegiate career. In his only season at the position, Derby caught 22 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns.

Bequette spent all of last season on the New England practice squad, but this summer, the 2012 third-round pick hit the field with the offense. He hasn't played in a game since Week 7 of the 2013 season, so he has quite the battle ahead of him in training camp. Along with undrafted free agent Jimmay Mundine, Derby and Bequette could potentially be out of a job, or land on the practice squad by the end of camp.

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