Eli Raridon

Eli Raridon News

Eli Raridon an Impact Player Around the Goal Line?

New England Patriots tight end Eli Raridon converted his lone target into a two-yard touchdown reception during his NFL debut in Week 1. The 22-year-old's low target total and 54% snap share indicate that he's not ready to pass Hunter Henry on the depth chart any time soon, but we have to wonder if he's still going to be a consistent threat to produce around the goal line. He was on the receiving end of the Patriots' only touchdown in the season opener, getting wide open as the defense paid attention to other offensive players. Managers should continue to monitor Raridon's usage and impact around the goal line, but in the meantime, he's not a bad player to speculatively add in deeper fantasy football leagues. He'll look to replicate his goal-line success while increasing his target share in Week 2 against Pittsburgh.

Sep 14, 2026 9:51 PM EST

Eli Raridon Converts Lone Target Into First Career Touchdown

New England Patriots tight end Eli Raridon converted his lone target into a two-yard touchdown reception against the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday night. Raridon's trip to the end zone initially gave the Patriots a 7-0 lead, but they eventually blew the lead and lost 13-10 in this Super Bowl matchup. Fantasy managers should feel encouraged that Raridon was not only used around the goal line, but also managed to get open in the end zone. However, it was somewhat concerning to see him targeted on just one of Drake Maye's 33 pass attempts. Raridon won't score a touchdown every week, so he'll need to carve out a much larger target share if he wants to stay on the fantasy radar in redraft leagues. For now, managers can leave him on the waiver wire heading into Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Sep 9, 2026 8:52 PM EST

Eli Raridon a Deep-League Stash in Solidified Role

New England Patriots tight end Eli Raridon is officially locked into the No. 2 spot on the depth chart heading into his first pro season. Hunter Henry remains the primary tight end in New England, so we don't expect Raridon to get onto the fantasy radar right away. However, the rookie from Notre Dame has plenty of upside in dynasty leagues and even in some deeper redraft formats. Raridon should get on the field for most two tight end sets, and he could even earn some snaps over Henry. At school last year, he caught 38 passes for 482 yards, although he wasn't able to find the end zone. The 22-year-old currently ranks as RotoBaller's TE45 in redraft leagues, making him a deep-league stash for now. Eventually, though, he could ascend into a decent fantasy starter.

Sep 8, 2026 9:00 PM EST

Eli Raridon Still Rising in a More Crowded Tight End Room

New England Patriots tight end Eli Raridon hasn't exactly been handed a clean path to fantasy relevance, but his summer still looks like a win. Hunter Henry signed a two-year extension in August after catching 60 passes for a career-high 768 yards and seven touchdowns last season, and New England added Cameron Latu off waivers this week. Raridon, though, remains No. 2 on the Patriots' current unofficial depth chart, ahead of Tanner Arkin and Latu. That's notable after the third-round rookie spent camp earning first-team work and praise from head coach Mike Vrabel for the progress he made as a blocker. Raridon caught only one pass for eight yards in preseason action, so this isn't a case built on exhibition numbers. It's more about where he finished the summer. The 6-foot-6, 245-pounder went from a developmental pick behind Henry to a rookie who looks capable of getting on the field right away. RotoBaller ranked him TE45 in its August 24 redraft outlook, which still makes him more of a deep-league target than a standard starter. The path is crowded, but Raridon's stock is still moving the right way.

Sep 3, 2026 11:12 AM EST

Eli Raridon Flashes a Path to Rookie Snaps

New England Patriots tight end Eli Raridon has made himself more interesting this summer, even if the rookie still has work to do on the depth chart. New England took the 6-foot-6, 245-pounder 95th overall in April, and Julian Hill's season-ending injury created more room behind Hunter Henry. Raridon has flashed enough to take advantage. He made several catches in camp, worked with Drake Maye during joint practices and hauled in a seam ball off play action during the August 7 scrimmage. His preseason debut was quieter, with one catch for eight yards on four targets against Indianapolis, though another gain was wiped out by a penalty. There is still some uncertainty here. New England's current unofficial depth chart lists C.J. Dippre ahead of Raridon, and Raridon did not dress against Philadelphia on August 22 because of what Mike Vrabel called an individual situation. RotoBaller has him at TE45. Henry is still the clear starter, but Raridon's receiving ability has given him a chance to earn rookie snaps in an offense that can use multiple tight ends.

Aug 25, 2026 10:05 AM EST

Eli Raridon in Line for "Meaningful" Role as a Rookie

New England Patriots rookie tight end Eli Raridon is "set for a meaningful role" as the team's number two tight end option behind veteran Hunter Henry, according to Chad Graff of The Athletic. A third-round pick out of Notre Dame, Raridon recorded 32 catches for 482 yards across 12 games with the Fighting Irish in 2025. At the time he was drafted, Raridon looked like the third tight end on the Patriots' depth chart. However, a season-ending knee injury for tight end Julian Hill (knee) has pushed Raridon into a more prominent role. While Henry profiles as New England's clear top receiving option at the position, he's entering his age-32 season. Particularly in dynasty formats, Raridon's stock is rising ahead of his rookie year.

Aug 18, 2026 5:30 PM EST

Mike Vrabel Impressed By Eli Raridon's Improvement as a Blocker

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is impressed with rookie tight end Eli Raridon's improvement as a blocker, according to Patriots beat reporter Taylor Kyles. Raridon continues to have an impressive training camp and was taking snaps with the first-team offense. The Patriots selected Raridon in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft and is set to be New England's No. 2 tight end behind Hunter Henry. The 22-year-old has shown flashes in camp and could be a key contributor this season. Henry did sign a two-year extension with the Patriots this offseason, so dynasty managers might have to wait a few years before they see Raridon as the team's starting tight end. Raridon could force his way onto the field, and his stock in dynasty and redraft is rising as he continues to have an impressive training camp.

Aug 15, 2026 4:45 PM EST

Eli Raridon Continues to Take More Snaps with First-Team

New England Patriots tight end Eli Raridon continues to see action with the first team offense. The Pats are having joint practices with the Indianapolis Colts, and Raridon is still playing with the first team, according to the Boston Herald. The 22-year-old was a third-round pick of the Pats this year out of Notre Dame. He's going to remain behind Hunter Henry to begin the season, but that isn't going to last forever. Given his success early in camp, Raridon is looking like a solid stash in dynasty and keeper leagues, but is someone who can be ignored in redraft formats with Henry ahead of him right now.

Aug 11, 2026 5:50 PM EST

Eli Raridon Continues to Flash in New England's Offense

New England Patriots rookie tight end Eli Raridon has been flashing early on during training camp and made another catch in team drills on Friday from quarterback Tommy DeVito on a corner/stop route, according to Evan Lazar of the team's official website. Raridon once again found the soft spot between defenders and finished strong at the catch point. The 22-year-old third-rounder from Notre Dame said that things are slowing down for him already this summer compared to back in the spring, and he's doing all the right things so far to become a contributor in the Pats' ascending offense in his first year in the NFL. Hunter Henry is still New England's unquestioned No. 1 pass-catching tight end who has strong chemistry with quarterback Drake Maye, though, which will undoubtedly limit Raridon's fantasy football upside in Year 1. But there's no denying that Raridon has the size (6-foot-6, 245 pounds) and physicality to be a strong downfield, pass-catching presence for fantasy managers in the future. Raridon's draft stock in both single-year and dynasty/keeper leagues is on the rise this summer.

Jul 31, 2026 9:25 AM EST

Things are Slowing Down for Rookie Tight End Eli Raridon

New England Patriots rookie third-round tight end Eli Raridon said at training camp on Thursday that things are slowing down for him, according to Mark Daniels of MassLive.com. Raridon said it has been night and day from the spring. Even though the Patriots still have Hunter Henry as their top pass-catching tight end, and after they added receivers A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs in the offseason, Raridon could make an impact as a receiver in 2026 in his first year in the NFL. The 22-year-old should be considered the favorite for TE2 duties with Julian Hill (knee) already ruled out for the season. He needs to refine his blocking skills, but Raridon is certainly a young TE name to keep an eye on for those in deep fantasy leagues in 2026. Raridon has excellent size (6-foot-6, 245 pounds), athleticism, and speed to give New England another weapon to challenge opposing defenses down the field. He doesn't come without durability concerns, though, having already torn his ACL twice. Raridon is a fine TE to stash in dynasty/keeper leagues, but he can be ignored for now in most redraft formats.

Jul 30, 2026 10:15 AM EST

Eli Raridon "Flashing" as a Pass-Catcher

New England Patriots beat writer Taylor Kyles reports that rookie tight end Eli Raridon is "flashing" as a receiver early in training camp. He had impressive catches on a contested target and settled between zones over the middle during practice on Tuesday. The 22-year-old third-rounder from Notre Dame comes to the Patriots after catching 32 passes for 482 yards and zero touchdowns in 12 games for the Fighting Irish in 2025 in his final collegiate season. The 6-foot-6, 245-pounder will back up Hunter Henry in his first NFL season, but Raridon has the potential to contribute right away in Josh McDaniel's offense now that Julian Hill (knee) will miss the entire season. Raridon will go undrafted in standard-sized redraft leagues in 2026, but his combination of athleticism, pass-catching skills, and size make him an interesting dynasty/keeper stash at the position. If Raridon can improve his blocking in his first year in the NFL, more playing time should come sooner rather than later. He's a rookie name to monitor at the TE position.

Jul 28, 2026 8:57 AM EST

Eli Raridon Taking Advantage of Thin Depth Chart

New England Patriots rookie tight end Eli Raridon has been pointed to as a player who stood out during the team's first practice of training camp on Saturday, with ESPN's Mike Reiss noting how an injury-thinned depth chart has allowed him to take reps behind 11th-year veteran Hunter Henry. Free agent acquisition Julian Hill was placed on season-ending injured reserve after tearing his ACL during OTAs, while 2025 undrafted free agent CJ Dippre opened training camp on the active/physically unable to perform list and was spotted with a brace on his left wrist. Taking advantage of the increased opportunity, Raridon made a deep highlight catch on a pass thrown by backup Tommy DeVito and earned the praise of Henry, who told reporters after practice, "The ceiling is high for him." Raridon is RotoBaller's rookie TE5, and has been pegged as a player to target in the middle rounds of dynasty rookie drafts, with a clear path to fantasy success both long-term and as an immediate contributor.

Jul 26, 2026 6:01 AM EST

Patriots Hoping Rookie Eli Raridon Can Contribute Immediately

Jordy McElroy of Patriots Wire writes that the New England Patriots are "desperately clinging to hope" that rookie third-round tight end Eli Raridon "can contribute right out of the gate" in 2026. If Raridon doesn't look like he can handle TE2 duties behind starter Hunter Henry in training camp this summer, it "wouldn't be a surprise" to see the Patriots bring in a veteran at the position to boost the competition. As of right now, McElroy lists Raridon as the No. 2 TE behind Henry, with Tanner Arkin, Jack Westover, and CJ Dippre behind him. Raridon, 22, is a versatile option at the position with the ability to be a solid receiver and blocker. He has a clear path to rookie-year snaps with Julian Hill (knee) going on season-ending Injured Reserve and with Austin Hooper leaving in free agency to sign with the Atlanta Falcons. The 6-foot-6, 245-pounder needs to improve his blocking, but if he can do that, he could have a meaningful role in 2026. And if Henry were to go down with an injury, Raridon would gain lots of steam off the waiver wire in all fantasy football leagues.

Jul 8, 2026 6:51 AM EST

Eli Raridon's Dynasty Stock Rising Following NFL Draft

After recording 32 receptions for 482 yards and zero touchdowns across 12 games as a senior at Notre Dame in 2025, tight end Eli Raridon was selected in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. Raridon is considered a developmental prospect as a receiver but offers three-down potential and graded out as a solid athlete relative to his position at this year's Draft Combine. The Patriots have veteran Hunter Henry firmly atop their tight end depth chart, which could limit Raridon's fantasy upside as a rookie. However, Raridon should be the favorite to earn the TE2 role in New England. With Henry entering his age-32 season in 2026, Raridon could emerge as the tight end of the future for the Patriots if he holds his own in his first NFL season. Raridon is unquestionably a tight end name worth monitoring for dynasty managers heading into 2026.

May 2, 2026 11:25 AM EST

Patriots Select Tight End Eli Raridon With 95th Overall Pick

The New England Patriots selected Notre Dame tight end Eli Raridon with the 95th overall pick late in the third round in the 2026 NFL draft on Friday evening. All four of Raridon's collegiate seasons came with the Fighting Irish, and he accumulated 48 catches for 623 yards and only three touchdowns in his 40 total games. The 22-year-old dealt with some knee injuries early in his collegiate career, but he was healthy in his junior and senior seasons and had 32 receptions for a career-high 482 yards in 12 games in 2025, although he didn't score a single touchdown. At the very least, the 6-foot-6, 245-pounder will give young quarterback Drake Maye a big target in the passing attack next to Hunter Henry after Austin Hooper left in free agency this offseason. Raridon should enter his rookie season as the TE2 in New England behind Henry as the Pats look to get back to the Super Bowl. Raridon is developing as a pass-catcher. He won't be on the fantasy radar in redraft leagues unless Henry misses time with an injury.

Apr 24, 2026 7:08 PM EST