Since 2000, 13 different players have started at tight end for the Patriots, and Alge Crumpler, who reportedly reached a deal with the Patriots Thursday night, likely now will be No. 14. For a team that prides itself on steadiness and consistency, the turnover at the tight end spot is remarkable — the only other position in New England sports that has a similar revolving door is Red Sox shortstop.

One of the few who’s had any real success in the system is Christian Fauria, who was a tight end with the Patriots from 2002-05. In four seasons, the Colorado product started 45 regular-season games and caught 79 passes for 790 yards and 13 touchdowns, and developed a reputation as a dependable pass-catching presence.

Since then, Fauria has watched the position evolve from a balanced role that includes equal parts blocking and receiving to that of a blocker who plays second fiddle in the passing game to receivers such as Randy Moss and Wes Welker.

“In that offense, the tight end now is either an extra tackle or a blocking guy,” he said. “You don’t expect too much from him. You want him to be there when you need him, but he’s not a major part of the offense.”

In the early days of the 21st century, with New England lacking a dominant wide receiver, tight ends were asked to have a more balanced role in the New England offense — a little bit of both. But with the arrival of top-shelf receivers like Welker and Moss prior to the 2007 season, Patriots’ tight ends began to be utilized differently. Primarily, they were asked to work more as blockers and less as pass-catchers, doing the job that an extra tackle or fullback might be asked to handle in another offense.

Such evolution has made it hard to maintain consistency at the position.

“In an offense where Welker and Moss are the No. 1 reads, the tight end is a bit player,” Fauria said. “Especially on third down — the tight end is traditionally a big weapon on third down. But in this offense, they’re looking to Moss or Welker.”

At the same time, if you show the ability to get open, Tom Brady is going to find you.

“If you’re a guy who can show up and make clutch plays week in and week out, they will find a way to get you the ball. Wes? Wes runs three routes, but he gets open almost all the time,” Fauria said.

“Either you know how to get open or you don’t.”

Crumpler, who has played for Atlanta and Tennessee, will step in for Benjamin Watson (who left for Cleveland in free agency) and Chris Baker (released). At this point in his career, the 32-year-old appears to be the sort of tight end the Patriots are looking for — known primarily as a pass-catcher earlier in his career with Atlanta, Crumpler has developed into a dependable blocking presence the last two years as a blocker in Tennessee, helping clear the way for Titans’ running back Chris Johnson in his 2,000-yard rushing season.

At the same time, he certainly won’t make New England fans forget Ben Coates — in his two seasons with the Titans, the 6-foot-2, 272-pounder had 51 catches for 479 yards, including 27 receptions for a career-low 222 yards and one touchdown in 2009.

Even with Crumpler in the fold, Fauria says that the Patriots will likely try and sign a younger tight end, as they have traditionally attempted to pair a younger tight end with an experienced one. To that point, ESPN draft expert Todd McShay said on a Thursday afternoon conference call with the media that the Patriots could get good value at the tight end spot with one of their second-round picks.

But when training camp rolls around in July, Crumpler figures to be No. 1 on the depth chart. To that end, when asked if he had any advice for Crumpler, Fauria gave a direct answer.

“The more plays you make, the more touches you’re going to see,” Fauria said. “The more plays you make, the more consistent you are, the more they will get you the ball. Are you a guy they can count on? They’ll figure it out quickly, and if you aren’t, they’ll get rid of you.”