Coming out of the 2025 NFL draft, the Patriots quickly identified Alabama tight end CJ Dippre as one of the best players who had gone through the seven rounds without being picked. Dippre was widely expected to be a Day 3 pick, and once the draft was over, a slew of teams came calling.
He signed with the Patriots, ultimately, because the team gave him a solid offer and had the opportunity for him to earn playing time. New England had two very good tight ends on the roster–Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper–but had precious little behind them.
Throughout the season, that hasn’t changed. The Patriots have gone into each week with just two tight ends getting snaps, and Dippre has been on the practice squad. But now, with Hooper coping with a concussion this week in practice, the team has needed to add depth at the position, and brought up Dippre to the 53-man roster.
CJ Dippre Brought Up as Austin Hooper Deals With Concussion
The pressure from Hooper’s injury certainly nudged the Patriots into the move. But there was pressure, too, from the outside–other teams, Dippre said, were interested in signing Dippre off the practice squad, a move that would require those teams to put him on the 53-man.
“Yeah, there were other teams that were interested in signing me, and I didn’t really want to leave. They didn’t really want me to leave,” Dippre told MassLive reporter Mark Daniels. “So, it was kind of a thing that I wanted to stay here, earn my right here, and play here. I know all these guys, love this team, love the coaching staff.”
Patriots Impressed by New Additions
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said he has been impressed with the performance from both Dippre and fellow practice-squad addition Bradyn Swinson (a fifth-round pick in last year’s draft) throughout the season.
Of course, injuries have forced the Patriots into moves, but the team is comfortable with the promotions.
“Those two players were ones that kept showing up as the show team players, or whether it’s on special teams, offense or defense,” Vrabel said. “And so, it’s just kind of what happens when you get to this part of the season. We’ll see if those guys can help us. We ask everybody to prepare as a starter when they come in here, and I don’t think anything should change or will change for those guys.”
Patriots Vets Helping CJ Dippre Develop
Last offseason, Ben Cooper of Pro Football Focus earmarked Dippre as one of the undrafted players who figured to be worthy of an opportunity. The Patriots have already seen two UDFAs, Elijah Ponder and Efton Chism, contribute this season.
Wrote Cooper: “Dippre stands out from his peers due to New England’s older tight end room and his blocking ability. His 64.8 PFF run-blocking grade in 2024 ranked 24th among Power Four tight ends, and he played an impressive 989 run-blocking snaps across his four college seasons.”
Dippre has taken those skills and expanded on them as he has worked and learned from Henry and Hooper.
“It’s definitely awesome,” Dippre said. “I didn’t look short of the practice squad opportunity. I still think that was a big opportunity. Just being in the league, learning, being under great vets in my room, being under great vets on the team. So just learning under that phase and then coming up to be on that active roster is definitely cool.”
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