Patriots player profile: Tyler Davis brings experience to TE3 competition

Previewing the Patriots tight end heading into his first season in New England.

With Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper both back for the 2025 season, the New England Patriots’ tight end group is well-set at the top. The depth behind them, however, is a question mark — so much so that the team recently decided to add some reinforcements.

Among the players added by the team was veteran Tyler Davis.

Hard facts

Name: Tyler Davis

Position: Tight end

Jersey number: 30

Opening day age: 28 (4/2/1997)

Measurements: 6’4 3/8”, 252 lbs, 75” wingspan, 32 5/8” arm length, 10 1/4” hand size, 4.71s 40-yard dash, 7.19s 3-cone drill, 4.43s short shuttle, 32 1/2” vertical jump, 9’3” broad jump, 23 bench press reps, 7.89 Relative Athletic Score

Experience

NFL: Jacksonville Jaguars (2020), Indianapolis Colts (2021), Green Bay Packers. (2021-24), New England Patriots (2025-) | College: Connecticut (2015-18), Georgia Tech (2019)

A quarterback coming out of Wellington C. Mepham High School in North Bellmore, NY, Davis made the move to tight end after redshirting his freshman campaign at UConn. He ended up spending a total of four years as a Husky, catching 47 passes for 500 yards and seven touchdowns in 35 games. He transferred to Georgia Tech in 2019 and added 12 more games as well as 17 receptions, 148 yards and one TD to his career totals.

Davis went on to get drafted 206th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Jaguars, but saw only limited action as a rookie and was eventually let go the following summer. He joined Indianapolis’ practice squad, but was picked up by Green Bay shortly thereafter.

Over his first two years as a Packer, Davis appeared in 32 regular season and playoff games and caught eight passes for 61 yards; he also notched 15 special teams tackles. However, he ended up missing back-to-back seasons in 2023 and 2024 due to injury and was not re-signed by the club during the 2025 offseason. In late July, he joined the Patriots.

Scouting report

Strengths: Checking in at over 6-foot-4 and 252 pounds, Davis offers good size and length at the tight end position. He has made use of it during his time in the NFL, proving himself a competitive blocker; he identifies his assignments well, is not afraid to initiate contact, and flashes quick hands out of his stance to create early engagement into a rep. Davis also has performed well on special teams and offers extensive experience on five units. In addition, he has been praised for his work behind the scenes and as leadership figure going back to his college days.

Weaknesses: Davis is not the most dynamic player and a limited threat as a receiving option and has seen limited opportunities in the passing game throughout his career. His linear speed is adequate at best and he is nothing special in the quickness and acceleration departments either. Davis also brought an extensive injury history to New England, and has not appeared in a non-preseason game since the 2022 season.

2024 review

Stats: 0 games

Season recap: Coming off a torn ACL that forced him to miss the entire 2023 season on injured reserve, Davis re-signed with the Packers in March 2024. However, opportunities were hard to come by on a tight end depth chart headlined by sophomores Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave; he ended up competing for a backup and special teams role while working his way back from his injury.

However, Davis ended up seeing action in just one preseason game — Week 2 versus Denver — and played only 13 offensive snaps and four more on special teams. He did not register any statistics.

Ahead of the NFL’s roster cutdown deadline, the Packers announced that he had been placed on injured reserve because of a shoulder injury. Not given the designation to return later in the year, Davis saw a second season in a row find its end in August.

2025 preview

Position: In-line TE | Ability: Camp body/Practice squad candidate | Contract: Signed through 2025

What will be his role? Having appeared in two practices so far since joining the Patriots, Davis’ role projects to be two-fold. On the one hand, he will serve as a package in-line option at the tight end position who will mostly take the field as a blocker in the run game. On top of this role, the 28-year-old will also compete for a role on special teams.

What is his growth potential? Starting his college career at quarterback, Davis is on a different timeline than “natural” tight ends. However, his move to the position already happened nine years ago, and any and all growth at this point is marginal. He might have some untapped potential to be unlocked by his change of scenery, but that seems unlikely. At this point in time, Davis is who he is.

Does he have positional versatility? Davis’ versatility as a tight end is limited. While he has lined up in-line, in the slot out wide and even in the backfield at times in his career, he is best suited to line up outside the left and right tackles as a blocker. His true versatility lies in the kicking game: Davis has experience on the kickoff and punt return and coverage teams as well as the field goal/extra point protection unit.

What is his salary cap situation? The Patriots signed Davis to a one-year contract in late July that comes with a non-guaranteed $1.1 million salary and no additional extras. His salary, which also functions as his cap hit, is high enough to qualify for Top 51 status, meaning that he is currently counted against New England’s books.

How safe is his roster spot? As noted above Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper are locks to make the Patriots’ roster this fall. Behind the pair, six players are currently competing for what will likely not be more than one spot on the roster. At the moment, Jack Westover seems to be ahead of the bunch but his spot on the team is far from etched in stone; the competition is wide open.

Summary: Davis’ experience as a blocker and in the kicking game might give him a leg up on his competition for a depth tight end spot on either the active roster or the practice squad. Given his combination of age and lack of production in the passing game, the latter seems like a more realistic destination. To get there, however, he will need to adapt to life in New England quickly and make the most of his opportunities in training camp and preseason.

What do you think about Tyler Davis heading into the 2025 season? Please head down to the comment section to share your thoughts.