The New England Patriots addressed the tight end position on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Notre Dame’s one-year starter, Eli Raridon, 95th overall in the third round. Raridon enjoyed a strong senior campaign, hauling in career-highs of 32 receptions for 482 yards in 12 games, finishing as the team’s third-leading receiver. He ended his four-year stint, totaling 48 receptions for 623 yards and three touchdowns in 40 games.
Raridon projects as a “Y” in-line tight end but may need to bulk up, as he is currently listed at 245 pounds. He also has injury concerns, having torn his right ACL twice, in 2021 during his final year of high school and again in 2022 as a freshman. He will compete against Julian Hill for the No. 2 tight end role to replace Austin Hooper.
New England Patriots ink likely replacement for Austin Hooper
NFL, Eli Raridon
Notre Dame’s Eli Raridon during Notre Dame Fall Camp on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at Irish Athletics Center in South Bend, Indiana.
According to Mike Reiss of ESPN NFL Nation, the Patriots have signed Eli Raridon to a four-year rookie contract. Over The Cap projects the tight end’s contract to be $6.748 million, including a $1.368 million signing bonus, with cap hits of $1.227 million in 2026, $1.533 million in 2027, $1.84 million in 2028, and $2.147 million in 2029. In addition, Raridon could earn more in Year 4 if he averages 35% or more of snaps through the first three seasons or makes the Pro Bowl on the original ballot from Proven Performance Escalators.
Two more Patriots draft-pick signings:
🏈 TE Eli Raridon (3-95)
🏈 Edge Quintayvious Hutchins (7-247) https://t.co/uhWuGfKxbd
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) May 9, 2026
Lance Zierlein
Mar 2, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; NFL Network Draft media analyst Lance Zierlein during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
“Projects as a ‘Y’ tight end with the ability to play and produce on all three downs. In the pros, Raridon might spend more time with his hand in the ground than he did at Notre Dame. He blocks with solid technique and good tenacity but still needs to add muscle mass to his long frame.
“The Notre Dame passing attack opened him up on intermediate hash throws against zone but he also has sneaky build-up speed and ball skills to make catches down the field. Raridon needs more experience but is an ascending talent who should become the seventh Notre Dame tight end drafted over the last nine years.”
He projects as a good backup with the potential to develop into a starter.