New England Patriots: Top 5 tight ends in franchise history

Feb 6, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick touches the Lombardi Trophy at Super Bowl LI winning team press conference at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots have become known for their use of tight ends, but who are the five best in franchise history?

Throughout the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick era, otherworldly tight ends haven't graced the New England Patriots besides Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.

That duo was virtually unbeatable, creating significant size and quickness discrepancies in 1-on-1 matchups. Hernandez was basically an oversized 245-pound receiver with exceptional change of direction proficiency, demonstrated by his fast three-cone drill (6.58 seconds), per NBC Sports. For comparison, rookie Green Bay Packers defensive back Kevin King had the best 3-cone time (6.56 seconds) at the 2017 NFL Combine.

Regardless of his freak athleticism, Hernandez's heinous act of murder ruined the possibility of him going down as one of the Patriots' greats, and his suicide concluded an overall tragic set of events.

Although the Patriots weren't consistent championship contenders in their earlier days, they've had skilled tight ends for some time. The question is, who are the franchise's best players at the position?

Note: Statistics were gathered through Pro Football Reference unless otherwise stated

Nov 21, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Benjamin Watson (82) celebrates a touchdown in the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

5. Ben Watson (2004-09)

The Patriots drafted the former University of Georgia tight end in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He had his best season in 2006, starting 13 games and notching 643 receiving yards. The next year, he caught a career-best six touchdowns. In the end, he snagged the fourth-most touchdowns for a tight end in Patriots history.

"Six years is a long time," Watson said right before leaving New England, per ESPN. "A lot happens over that time, a lot of bonds are formed, so in a way this is bittersweet."

After a highly productive 2015 campaign — one to remember with the New Orleans Saints — Watson moved to the Baltimore Ravens and tore his Achilles tendon before the regular season opened. Watson's NFL career is almost finished. He will turn 37 years old near the end of the 2017 season, and his current contract will make him an unrestricted free agent in 2018.

4. Jim Whalen (1965-69)

Jim Whalen, who played five seasons with the Boston Patriots, passed away in December 2012. However, his legacy in the Patriots' organization will live on as he left an impact on the field. His ability on the gridiron was lauded by his teammates from his time with the Patriots.

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"Jim was strong, durable, and fast,'' said Jon Morris, a Patriots Hall of Fame center, via Boston.com. "And he wouldn't hesitate to give you the needle with a twinkle in his eye.''

Whalen didn't play tight end in high school, but did so at Boston College, the result being two All-East selections. He earned first-team All-Pro honors in 1968, his fourth season in professional football, registering 47 catches, 718 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He boasts the highest yards per catch average (16.3) of any Patriots tight end with at least 150 receptions.

The 210-pounder accumulated 2,487 receiving yards during his time with the Pats, which is better than Hernandez, Watson and wide receiver David Givens. Though he may have been from a now bygone era of the league, there's no denying the legacy and impact of Whalen.

3. Russ Francis (1975-80, 1987-88)

Russ Francis is a Patriot to remember. He was able to run well despite standing at 6-6, 240 pounds. Just one a purely physical level, that made Francis a nightmare for opposing defenses — something that the likes of Gronk can attest to.

"If you've got tight ends that can do the same things as your wide receivers, you're just more flexible," then-head coach Ron Erhardt said, based on a Sports Illustrated piece. "Francis gets deep quick, and he can run after the catch. He really got his reputation as a great blocker and a deep threat."

Francis retired initially in 1981 as he questioned the reasoning behind football's overly physical environment, reported The New York Times. He then came back in 1982 and played for the San Francisco 49ers prior to his return to New England.

He finished in front of wide receivers David Patten, Vincent Brisby and Shawn Jefferson with 3,157 receiving yards, ranking 15th in team history. His 28 receiving touchdowns are good for 10th place. Had he spent a few more years in the Patriots organization, he would've surely bettered his positioning in the record books.

2. Ben Coates (1991-99)

Ben Coates and Shannon Sharpe were the top tight ends of the 1990's. With New England, No. 87 was one of quarterback Drew Bledsoe's favorite targets.

The numbers surely don't lie. The Patriots official website explains that Coates led all tight ends in receptions (375) and touchdown receptions (36) from 1994-1998. Additionally, upon retirement, he held the Patriots single-season record for receptions (96) and broke the NFL record for tight ends, surpassing Todd Christensen's 95 receptions in 1986.

Belichick released the veteran Coates in 2000, but recognized his place in Patriots lore.

"However painful the process, blending in younger and less expensive players sometimes has to be done," Belichick said according to CBS News. "Obviously, I respect how much Ben has given to this organization over the last decade and I am sure he will remain one of the most revered players in Patriots history."

Whenever you get the normally stone-faced Belichick to glow with respect like that, you've done something right. Thus, it's quite clear that Coates is an unforgettable piece of Patriots history.

Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) is tackled by Denver Broncos safety Josh Bush (20) in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

1. Rob Gronkowski (2010-present)

Rob Gronkowski is the best Patriots tight end of all-time. A very fair argument exists to put him among NFL greats, considering his standards haven't waned during an injury-riddled career.

In Week 8 against the Buffalo Bills last season, Gronkowski broke the franchise touchdown record held by wide receiver Stanley Morgan. Gronk is the fourth Patriot ever to tally at least 6,000 career receiving yards, and only wideouts Wes Welker and Randy Moss have totaled more receiving yards per game.

"He's a dynamic player for us, there's no doubt," Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said, via ESPN. "He makes great plays in the pass game — down the field, intermediate, short — and he's tough to tackle."

In 2011 Gronkowski set the single-season record for receiving yards by a tight end. He also became the first tight ever to catch 17 touchdown passes and lead the league in receiving touchdowns. Just another notch on the belt of the record-breaking tight end in New England.

Gronkowksi isn't done yet. If he can remain on the field often in 2017, few teams could compete with the Patriots. And, if you had to guess, there are just more records that are set to fall as his career continues.