Patriots tight end: Eli Raridon breaks New England rookie record in six games

New England Patriots fans have waited for a decade for a reliable tight end, a gap that finally closed when the team selected Eli Raridon from Notre Dame in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The rookie has already set a new standard for the position in Foxboro.

Through six games, Raridon has caught 12 passes on 16 targets for 168 yards and two touchdowns. Those numbers exceed the combined totals of the six tight ends the Patriots drafted from 2011 to 2025, who managed 13 catches on 24 targets for 189 yards in their rookie seasons.

Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels credited Raridon’s quick learning curve and maturity for his early success. "I think his work ethic," McDaniels said on Thursday. "He’s mature beyond his years in terms of the way that he approaches the game."

McDaniels noted that veteran tight end Hunter Henry has played a key role in Raridon’s development. The 11th-year pro has been described as unselfish in the room, giving his time and attention to help young players correct errors. "Eli’s a sponge. He’s a very quick learner. He processes a lot of information. He’s a very bright kid," McDaniels said.

Raridon agreed that making mistakes sticks with him. "It truly bothers me when I make a mistake," he said. "So it kind of makes a lasting impression in my head. And like anyone else, you don’t want to make the same mistake twice, and I’m urgent to correct them."

Tight ends coach Thomas Brown pointed to Raridon’s natural athleticism and ball skills as primary drivers of his production. "One thing he does really well: just run fast, especially for his size," Brown said. "So, if you get him in the open field, whether it be in a zone concept or a man-match coverage, he has an opportunity to run away and create explosives."

The Patriots have utilized Raridon and Henry together on 23.1% of offensive snaps. Henry has played 73.7% of those snaps, while Raridon has been on the field for 44.1% despite missing one game with a thigh injury. McDaniels explained that using two tight ends in 12 personnel forces defenses to guess their alignment, creating mismatches that Raridon can exploit against either defensive backs or linebackers. The team currently has wide receivers Romeo Doubs and Mack Hollins on injured reserve, while A.J. Brown is dealing with ankle and knee issues.