Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Oct 25, 2026 11:15 AM
New England Patriots' rookie Eli Raridon has exceeded expectations with his versatility, reliable hands, and explosive downfield production, giving Drake Maye an emerging weapon at tight end.
Entering the 2026 offseason, the New England Patriots needed to find a long-term solution at the tight end position. Instead, they landed an immediate impact player in Eli Raridon.
One of New England’s priority positions of need in the spring, Hunter Henry remained as the lone constant in a room that had lost its number two option, Austin Hooper, to the Atlanta Falcons in free agency. The Patriots signed former Miami Dolphins’ tight end Julian Hill to take over Hooper’s role as the “Y” tight end in a Josh McDaniels’ offensive scheme that prominently features 12 personnel, but Hill became the first of many to land on injured reserve before padded practices began.
The loss left New England with a room of unknowns behind Henry entering training camp, fueling a narrative that the organization would benefit from adding to the group with a veteran signing or trade candidate. Pessimists argued that an expansive list of responsibilities in the run and pass games would prohibit any rookie from earning full-time duties aside Henry in year one, and that the team hadn’t done enough to supplement the position with talent that could contribute right away.
But those naysayers didn’t account for Raridon. And his breakout shouldn’t come as a surprise.
The Patriots stole Raridon with the 95th overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, making him the ninth tight end selected in the top-100 picks and the fourth tight end taken in the third round. The former Notre Dame Fighting Irish star fell due to a previous injury history that featured a twice-torn right ACL: first in December 2021 while playing school basketball in Iowa, and again in October 2022 during his freshman season at Notre Dame.
Those injuries slowed Raridon's production earlier in his collegiate career, but he first began his ascension with the Fighting Irish in 2025 — showing flashes of a player who could threaten defenses up the seams, over the middle, and deep downfield. He hauled in 32 of 44 targets (72.7% reception rate) for 482 yards and averaged 15.1 yards per catch — sixth among all FBS tight ends.
Raridon's greatest impact in South Bend came as a deep threat. He led all FBS tight ends with eight deep catches (20-plus yards downfield) on just 10 targets for 282 yards; the only two targets he didn’t convert into receptions drew defensive pass-interference penalties. On 20-plus yard passes, Raridon received a 99.9 receiving grade, per PFF.
Now, those skills are beginning to translate over into his tenure in Foxboro — and they’re revealing themselves on a weekly basis.
Through the first seven weeks of the 2026 regular season, Raridon has seen a 44.2% snap share in the New England offense, even after missing the majority of the team’s Week 2 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and their Week 3 loss at the Jacksonville Jaguars with a calf injury. In his first six professional bouts, Raridon has caught 12 of 15 targets (80.0% reception rate) with 168 receiving yards and two touchdowns, and has seen his role increase with each passing week.
Used interchangeably or in conjunction with Henry, the 6’6”, 245-pound rookie has aligned in-line (64.3%), in the slot (16.2%), flexed out-wide (10.5%), and in the backfield (5.2%) — showcasing serviceable skills as a run blocker and presenting a reliable target for Drake Maye in the passing game. And it hasn’t taken long for trust to develop on that end.
Just two weeks after logging career-bests in receptions (five) and receiving yards (57) against the Las Vegas Raiders, Raridon’s most recent outing under the lights at the Chicago Bears became a vignette of the potential he brings to the table. His three receptions, 56 yards, and one touchdown illustrated his strengths as a pass-catcher with a consistent knack for generating explosive plays.
Raridon’s score from 30-yards out in the third quarter marked his third 30-plus yard reception of the season — the most among all NFL tight ends. On deep targets 20-plus yards downfield, Raridon has caught each of his three targets for 91 yards, one touchdown, and a perfect passer rating when targeted of 158.3. His 99.1 receiving grade on such throws is a league-best mark for the position, per PFF.
When compared to his rookie peers, Raridon’s hot start to 2026 is even more impressive. His 168 yards, two touchdowns, nine first downs, two contested catches, 0.0% drop rate, 72.5 offensive grade, and 79.6 pass-blocking grade are all best-in-class, and his 12 catches and 15 targets trail only Kenyon Sadiq. He’s the highest-graded rookie tight end or wide receiver against man coverage (80.2) and zone coverage (78.6), and his 80.8 receiving grade and 125.1 passer rating when targeted also leads both position groups (minimum of five targets).
Overlooked by the league and media alike to begin his NFL career, Raridon has already asserted himself as an integral part of the Patriots’ offense — providing McDaniels with a versatile chess piece that can contribute on all three downs, and Maye with a dependable option regardless of coverage or depth.
Raridon’s traits were always an idealistic match with New England, but his rapid development into one of the top offensive skill position players in the 2026 draft class is a result few saw coming. Just seven weeks into his inaugural regular season, Raridon’s runway for future growth is a long one, and his ceiling may be even higher than initially expected.
We’re still just beginning to scratch the surface of Eli Raridon’s potential as a Patriot.
How do you think Raridon has performed to begin his rookie season with New England? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation on Patriots Roundtable.
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