This is New England’s projected tight end depth chart in the wake of Rob Gronkowski’s retirement:
Matt LaCosse
Jacob Hollister
Stephen Anderson
Ryan Izzo
Izzo, a seventh-round pick for New England in 2018, is the only one who didn't go undrafted. Their combined career stats: 71 catches for 801 yards and three touchdowns. The Patriots’ next tight end is probably not currently on the roster, and the free-agent TE market has dried up, which means Gronk’s retirement is going to have a direct impact on the Patriots’ draft plans.
The draft does include a perfect replacement for Gronkowski, and in a perfect world the Patriots would be able to get their hands on him.