The Atlanta Falcons on Monday dealt tight end Eric Saubert to the New England Patriots for a conditional seventh-round draft pick.
Saubert, a 25-year-old 2017 fifth-round pick, is a 6-foot-5, 253-pound tight end who played all 16 regular-season games with Atlanta last season, his second with the team. He compiled five catches for 48 yards and also served as a utility man.
The reigning Super Bowl champion Patriots — who are now missing retired tight end Rob Gronkowski — are set to add more depth to their tight end chart thanks to Saubert. New England’s roster at the position already includes veterans Lance Kendricks and Benjamin Watson, second-year player Ryan Izzo and star tight end Matt LaCosse, who sustained an undisclosed leg injury in the Pats’ 31-3 preseason-opening victory over the Detroit Lions last week. Watson has been suspended for the first four games of the 2019 season after violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
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During his final college season at Drake, Saubert finished as the second-best tight end after averaging 70.5 receiving yards per game (56 catches for 776 receiving yards). He was known at the time for being a pass and run blocker. Saubert also reportedly caught a touchdown pass from Tom Brady during his first Patriots practice this week.
