Dalton Keene


Dalton Keene is an American football tight end for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He played college football at Virginia Tech.

Early life and high school

Keene grew up in Littleton, Colorado and attended Chatfield High School, where he played middle linebacker and running back on the football team and also ran track. He was named first team All-State as a senior after rushing for 1,175 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns.

College career

Keene started 12 games as a true freshman and caught 10 passes for 167 yards. He was named honorable mention All-Atlantic Coast Conference after recording 28 receptions for 341 yards and three touchdowns in his sophomore season. As a junior Keene caught 21 passes for 240 yards and five touchdowns. Following the end of the season Keene announced that he would forgo his final year of eligibility to enter the 2020 NFL Draft. Keene finished his collegiate career with 59 receptions for 748 yards and eight touchdowns in 39 games played.

Professional career

Keene was selected in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. The Patriots acquired the pick from a division rival, the New York Jets, trading two fourth-round picks in the 2020 draft and a sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. It was the first time in Bill Belichick's 20 years as head coach of the Patriots that the team included a future draft pick to move up in a draft.