New England isn’t a team that likes to give away draft picks, but when they find a player they want on another team, they don’t hesitate to make it happen.

According to the Associated Press, the Patriots sent an undisclosed selection in next year’s draft to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for the rights to tight end Alex Smith. Smith is a four-year veteran of the league, tallying 129 receptions for 1,252 yards and 11 touchdowns in his career thus far.

New England has had difficulty developing the position for some time, choosing to rely more heavily on their WR corps for offensive production. Smith should provide QB Tom Brady with a reliable target if his other options are covered, and has the ability to block if need be.

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