Josh McDaniels
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An undrafted free agent is already expected to be "the guy" at a key spot for the New England Patriots and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
This is the point in the NFL’s offseason calendar when a rebuilding team like the New England Patriots begins mapping out its final 53-man roster, and an undrafted free agent is already considered “the guy” at a key spot.
The bold prediction is good news for Brock Lampe. He’s the pick by Phil Perry of NBCS Boston to be the fullback the Patriots used liberally throughout OTAs and minicamp.
Speaking to the “Next Pats Podcast” (h/t NBCS Boston’s Justin Leger), Perry revealed “a lot of formations they were using (at practice) had a fullback. (Lampe’s) the guy. He looks like the guy at fullback. To me, he feels like the best option for that role and I think they’re gonna want to have that role with Josh McDaniels.”
This isn’t the first time former Northern Illinois stud Lampe has been touted as a fullback at the pro level. The revival of the position in New England makes sense after Josh McDaniels returned for a third tour as offensive coordinator.
McDaniels has traditionally leaned on fullback-led formations, and Lampe is the best fit. Keeping him in the backfield makes more sense when a fellow rookie signed after the 2025 NFL draft offers superior receiving skills more suited to the multiple-tight end sets McDaniels also likes.
Momentum Building for Brock Lampe to Contribute
Lampe’s case for earning a final roster spot was already strong because of his natural versatility. He’s played tight end and fullback, lining up all across formations during his collegiate days.
The 22-year-old showed off his range by making this smart catch during work with the tight ends this offseason, highlighted by Cutcall editor ZeeBee.
ZeeBee
Brock Lampe getting reps in with the TE group.
🅰️he is BUILT
🅱️he’s a smooth pass catcher
McDaniels loves personnel mismatches & Lampe brings them.
A strong level of flexibility makes for a good utility player at the pro level, and true utility types belong on any roster. What’s interesting here is how McDaniels’ can narrow and sharpen the focus for Lampe.
Becoming a full-time blocking back can help Lampe refine niche skills in a specific position. One that used to be a feature of how the Patriots bludgeoned defenses.
McDaniels often added beef to the backfield during his previous stops in New England. He used throwback lane-openers like burly three-time Super Bowl winner James Develin, as well as Jakob Johnson, another undrafted player who turned a talent for blocking into ample playing time.
The Pats having a fondness for fullbacks helped Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson rush for a combined 1,535 yards the last time McDaniels called plays in 2021. A great example of how the scheme worked was this ISO play against the Atlanta Falcons, featuring Harris running behind Johnson, per Taylor Kyles of Patriots on CLNS.
Taylor Kyles
Textbook ISO execution vs a blitz-twist
Shaq Mason immediately picks up and buries #54 Foyesade Oluokun while Jakob Johnson takes out Deion Jones in the hole
Damien Harris does a nice job pressing his lead block, breaking a tackle, and finishing the run
The desire to see more runs like this can help Lampe get on the field, while avoiding the crowd forming at tight end. It’s a group also featuring a highly-touted rookie free agent.
Patriots Already Set at Tight End
Veterans Austin Hooper and Hunter Henry already being on the roster gives McDaniels the chance to revive the two-tight end set as a staple for the Patriots. He’s used the formation extensively in the past, notably when Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett both thrived in 2016.
McDaniels can load the field with tight ends once again, thanks in part to undrafted former Alabama player CJ Dippre. He’s got the niche skills as a blocker to complement what Henry and Hooper offer as receivers, but one writer believes Dippre can also make his own mark as a pass-catcher.
Dippre is a “well-rounded tight end who quietly carves out a role on an NFL roster. At 6’4″, 262 pounds, he brings a physical, dependable presence to both the run game and short passing attack. He plays with toughness, discipline, and functional athleticism,” according to Pro Football Network’s Brandon Austin.
It’s high praise for another supposed hidden gem the Patriots found after the draft. If Dippre and Lampe live up to the billing, along with a slot receiver already earning comparison with franchise greats, no team in the league will have unearthed more value than the Patriots and their old is new again offense.