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Irish In The NFL: Troy Niklas Could Revive Career In New England

By J.P. Scott

CANTON, OH - AUGUST 03: Troy Niklas #87 of the Arizona Cardinals makes a 20-yard reception in the first quarter of the NFL Hall of Fame preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 3, 2017 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CANTON, OH - AUGUST 03: Troy Niklas #87 of the Arizona Cardinals makes a 20-yard reception in the first quarter of the NFL Hall of Fame preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 3, 2017 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Former Notre Dame tight end and second round pick Troy Niklas is getting a second chance to succeed as an NFL player in a great situation.

Moneyball isn’t just a baseball thing. Front offices in every sport are always looking for value when it comes to adding depth to their rosters. In that regard, Troy Niklas is a Moneyball guy.

The New England Patriots signed former Notre Dame tight end Troy Niklas to a one-year deal back in April. The situation looks like a win for both sides.

The Patriots get to add depth to a key position via a former second round pick who turns 26 this season. They got him at what should be considered a bargain rate: a 1-year deal worth a total of $940,000.

Niklas now has an opportunity to prove his worth to the league while playing for the most prestigious franchise in pro football. He’ll get a chance to compete for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart behind Rob Gronkowski. His biggest competition for the job appears to be Dwayne Allen, who has experience in New England’s system but also some extra miles on his body.

If Niklas can stay healthy and slide into the No. 2 role, it could be the beginning of a career revival for him. New England has been shopping Rob Gronkowski recently, and Gronk hasn’t played a full season since 2011. Additionally, he’s eating up over $18 million in cap space over the next two seasons. Bill Belichick would love to be able to plug in a younger, cheaper tight end who can still produce.

That would make dealing Gronkowski easier to swallow for everyone in and around the franchise.

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Troy Niklas has dealt with the injury bug throughout his short career so far, but anyone who has seen him at full health knows what kind of an impact he can have. If he can return to anything close to the form he was in during his 2013 Notre Dame season (32 catches, 498 yards, 5 touchdowns), he’ll be on his way to saving his career and once again making Bill Belichick look like a genius.

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