Patriots Eye NC State TE Joly: Smart Depth Move or Overreach?

The Patriots are apparently kicking the tires on Justin Joly from NC State, and on the surface, it makes sense. The tight end room currently features Hunter Henry, Jack Westover, Julian Hill, Austin Hooper, CJ Dippre, and Marshall Lang—a collection that screams depth without star power. Eliot Wolf and Mike Vrabel aren't the types to ignore a talent evaluation opportunity, especially when the middle rounds offer potential value at a position that's proven tricky to hit on consistently.

Here's what matters: the Patriots have the bodies, but do they have the playmaker? Henry remains a solid contributor, but the group lacks the kind of explosive receiving threat that modern offenses need at tight end. If Joly profiles as someone who can separate downfield and create mismatches, he's worth a genuine look. College tape doesn't always translate, but NC State's system should've given scouts a reasonable sample size on what he can do against Power Conference competition.

The timing is interesting too. With the draft approaching, the Patriots have flexibility. They're not desperate at tight end, which actually gives them leverage. They can evaluate Joly without forcing a narrative around him. That's the smart way to operate—need breeds overpay, and overconfidence breeds busts. Neither serves a rebuild well.

The real question isn't whether Joly is worth drafting somewhere. It's whether he fits what Vrabel wants to build in his offense. The Patriots' tight end usage under the new regime hasn't been fully established yet, but with Tommy DeVito, Drake Maye, and Joshua Dobbs competing at quarterback, having versatile pass catchers who can work in space matters. If Joly has that juice—if he's not just a check-down outlet but someone who can win leverage—then the Patriots should be ready to move on him at the right draft capital.

Watch the film. See if he's separating or if defenses are just letting him catch it for six yards and move on. That's the scout's job. And if the tape holds up? Joly could be a shrewd addition to a group that needs more than just bodies.

Based on reporting from Pats Pulpit.