Tim Wright Has High Upside

The former Bucs TE arrives in New England as a playmaking threat

Not a lot was known about Tim Wright when he was named as the other player in the trade that sent offensive guard Logan Mankins to Tampa Bay. In exchange, the Pats got Wright, the undrafted second-year tight end out of Rutgers, along with a 2015 fourth-round pick.

But Wright could prove to be the name remembered when looking back on this deal. As a rookie, he had 54 receptions for 571 yards and five touchdowns -- and that was in a very bad Bucs' offense. Now he'll work with Tom Brady in New England's precision offense that has a history of featuring playmaking tight ends.

TheMMQB.com's Andy Benoit thinks Wright can be a "full-fledged star in (the Pats') system," adding: "The Patriots now have two resources they can use to re-install the Aaron Hernandez role: Brandon LaFell and Tim Wright.

Two New England players know Wright from previous stops -- Darrelle Revis in Tampa and Duron Harmon at Rutgers -- and both had only laudatory things to say about the young tight end.

"He's great," Revis said, via ESPN.com. "He started for us down in Tampa, when I was there last year. And we are getting a solid player who can catch and who can run routes. ... He was a wide receiver coming in, then they switched him to tight end. He has a lot of speed at the tight end position.

"He comes from Rutgers, so he has that instilled in him -- of being a hard worker," Revis continued. "And he makes plays. He is a playmaker. Him teaming up with our system and what we do on offense, I think he will fit in well."

Harmon agreed: "He is a good player. It shows last year when he got a little more comfortable in his position. He made some plays for Tampa Bay. So he is definitely a good player."

Wright's versatility, which extends beyond the field, is also a plus.

Tim, he's good (as a barber)," Harmon said. "He kept me fresh in college."

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