​This week’s sports news cycle was dominated by top rankings in the NFL, underscoring where most analysts believe teams stand as we head toward 2026. Think of it as the NFL equivalent of the Associated Press College Football Weekly rankings, in a sense. ESPN currently places the New England Patriots roster seventh across the board. Some people would argue with that placement; others seem to accept it, but that discussion belongs to a separate article.
What this piece focuses on is a particular Patriots player who was left off ESPN’s list of the best players at his position. Patriots tight end Hunter Henry had a standout 2025 campaign. The veteran tight end racked up 60 receptions on 87 targets for 768 yards and seven touchdowns. It marked his second season in Josh McDaniels’ offense, and catching passes from Drake Maye appears to have only amplified his productivity.
Despite those achievements, Henry did not crack ESPN’s Top 10 Tight Ends list ahead of the 2026 season, a ranking compiled by the network’s own Jeremy Fowler. For anyone who watched Henry in 2024 and 2025, his omission from the top-10 list came as a surprise. He posted the seventh-most receiving yards among all tight ends in the league last season, a metric that underscores his value and productivity.
So whom did Henry surpass in terms of yardage last year? He outpaced notable talents such as Brock Bowers, George Kittle (who battled injuries at times), Sam LaPorta, Tucker Kraft, Colston Loveland, and Mark Andrews. Those players all earned top-10 positions ahead of this season, which makes Henry’s absence all the more striking. It’s fair to label him as one of the more underrated tight ends in today’s NFL, especially given his track record of reliability and contributions.
There’s also a sense that this could be Henry’s final season with the Patriots. Entering the last year of his contract, his future beyond the current deal remains uncertain for many observers. Still, that looming question about his long-term status should not diminish the possibility of him breaking into the top-10 at his position this season.
Even with an array of weapons surrounding Drake Maye—A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, and others joining the supporting cast—Henry is expected to remain a crucial piece in Maye’s development. He has proven to be a dependable target who can help a young quarterback navigate pressure and make key plays when needed. His presence on the field is a stabilizing factor that opponents must account for, and his continued production could be a catalyst for Maye to take another step forward as a passer.
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As the season approaches, keep an eye on how Henry’s performance stacks up against the most celebrated tight ends in the league. His production, consistency, and leadership on the field could redefine how he’s perceived, both by fans and by the analysts who shape early-season rankings. If he sustains or even improves upon last year’s numbers, Henry will likely merit a prominent role in any conversations about top NFL tight ends entering 2026.