After striking gold with tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez in 2010, Bill Belichick has gone back to the tight end as well in the 2011 draft.
With the 28th pick of the fifth round, the Patriots selected Lee Smith out of Marshall. The Tennessee transfer served as the Thundering Herd’s captain for two seasons. ESPN has ranked him as the draft’s eighth-best tight end.
Smith is considered more of a blocking-style tight end than a pass-catcher.
