NFL training camp is in full swing, as both the college football adn NFL seasons are so close, fans can smell the tailgates and almost hear the touchdown chants. As preseason games start for the NFL, rosters will start to come clear, and while some players don't have to worry about their spot, others like former Illinois tight end Tanner Arkin are finding any way to snag a spot on the 53-man roster.
After going undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, Arkin signed with the New England Patriots , a team that suddenly was in need of tight end depth after not re-signing Austin Hooper in the offseason. Hunter Henry is by far the No. 1 tight end on the depth chart, and fellow tight end rookie Eli Raridon is looking to take hold of the TE2 spot, but Arkin is making a case for his spot in the depth chart.
While Rairidon has garnered praise since being drafted by the Patriots, Arkin is carving out a role most players aren't up for playing, but it's one the Patriots need from a tight end. Arkin could make a case for a final roster spot with his blocking talent, making a unique role for himself on this team.
When it comes to trying to make the 53-man roster in the NFL, undrafted free agents have a lot more work to do to prove they deserve a spot. Sometimes it means changing how you play the position or finding different ways to serve the team, which is what Arkin is doing with the Patriots.
Even though Raridon is most likely the TE2 for the Patriots, Arkin is making his case for the spot as well, or at least as a swing at the position. As a tight end, it is more than just being a bigger-bodied receiver; blocking is a huge part of the position as well.
For Arkin, that is how he is setting himself apart, even as an undrafted free agent who signed later with the team. The Patriots already drafted a tight end, so trying to make the 53-man roster was going to be tough, but having multiple tight ends who are versatile, as Arkin is showing, can be strategic for any offense, especially the Patriots, who are coming off a Super Bowl loss last season.
Even Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is noticing what Arkin is doing on the field, which can only help his case when trying to make the final roster.
"The competitive spirit, going against Dre [Dre'Mont Jones] and Elijah [Ponder], trying to block, be consistent and be physical," Vrabel said of Arkin . "He's learned what to do quickly. I think sometimes, young players, when things start to pile on, they can slow down because they're thinking a little bit. I haven't seen that, so hopefully that continues."
The final roster won'tbe announced until closer to the start of the NFL season, but right now, Arkin could find himself with a spot, and Illinois fans have to love that.
This article was originally published on www.writingillini.com as Former Illinois tight end Tanner Arkin is carving a role for himself with New England Patriots .
