Reggie Gilliam describes his game a tenacious and physical at the fullback position. It’s one of the main reasons the New England Patriots prioritized the fullback on Day 1 of free agency, as the sides agreed to a three-year, $12 million contract.
When Gilliam arrived at Gillette Stadium shortly after to sign his contract, his new head coach, Mike Vrabel, was still talking about the level of violence he would bring.
“I love that,” Gilliam said. “That’s what he’s been preaching to me since I walked in the door here, is like, ‘We love your style of play and we love what you bring physicality-wise.’ And I talked to Thomas Brown, the tight end coach, and he echoed the same thing with Julian Hill and me.”
The Patriots privatized building up the trenches and adding physicality in free agency. That included signing offensive guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, in addition to Hill, who was a primary blocking tight end to start his career in Miami.
“Violence is not something that you can just turn on. It’s got to be who you are. I was raised like that,” Hill said. “Coach Embry in Miami, who was my tight ends coach there, took me to [another level]. He coached George Kittle — one of the nastiest run blockers in the game. He coached a lot of greats. He instilled that in me. So, it’s got to be who you are. And that’s who I am.”
Hill will now fill in next to Hunter Henry as the top in-line option in the Patriots’ tight ends room, where he is expected to continue bringing that physical play style. The Patriots also believe the 25-year old has more to offer as a pass catcher, even if he doesn’t need the football in his hands to make an impact.
“I appreciate the game. I play the game the right way. It’s not pretty,” Hill said. “I’m not the guy that’s always catching the touchdowns, getting all the balls thrown to him. I’m a guy that’s going to work to do his job and do his job the right way — support his teammates, love on his teammates, hold guys accountable, hold myself accountable. Walk into that fire, man. If there’s a guy pushing up on Drake Maye, I’m going to be the first one there.”
The additions of Gilliam and Hill’s violent play style — along with the self-described tenacious Vera-Tucker — project to help Maye as New England’s offense becomes more well-rounded.
Last season, New England’s run game ranked 24th in rush EPA forcing the team was forced to debut a six-offensive line package down the stretch. That should not be the case entering 2026.
“I think there were points in the season where we didn’t run the ball as well as we would have liked last year for a variety of reasons,” Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf said. “I think adding the fullback, a guard, and a tight end who’s primarily been a blocker in his career certainly was intentional. Trying to get some toughness and some identity guys for Coach Vrabel in that offense.”