DRAFT Welcome To New England TE Eli Raridon

[Uptown]

 

[sambam94]

not a draft guru at all, but was the TE class so deep this year that the 9th off the board can
be as good as some here think?

 

[rkarp1]

not a draft guru at all, but was the TE class so deep this year that the 9th off the board can
be as good as some here think?

I believe he was in that 6-10 range moreso because of injuries and lack of playing time
he is a project that will need some time
but he has height. needs to add strength/weight
huge hands/catch radius/explosive, jumps well
very good speed
needs to learn. will have a good mentor in Henry, and a TE friendly OC with McD

 

[Ross12]

Looking forward to this I-formation look the next few years:

- QB: Maye
- WR: AJ Brown
- RB: Henderson
- FB: Gilliam
- TE1: Raridon
- LT: Campbell
- LG: Vera-Tucker
- C: Wilson
- RG: Onwenu/other
- RT: Moses/Lomu
- TE2: Hill

 

[PatsFan2]

Love Football players with Basketball background: Maye can play Fetch go get it.

 

[Uptown]

 

[scott99]

I will say... if there is one position i pride myself on having an eye for it is TEs. It is my best position. I pounded the table for Fannin last year when no one cared. I called him a first round talent when all the buzz was about Warren and Colston. And this was EARLY in the process. Fannin looked just as good as either last year but was in a much worse situation. He should have gone in round 1. I stand by that.

Raridon was this years Fannin for me. The dude just clearly has it. It jumps off the screen. IDC about ACL injuries he had years ago. He was young and a young body heals very well. He plays with no brace or restriction or hesitation. I had him as a top 48 pick. I stand by that. We got a steal. He WILL be a good TE in this league. Frankly by year 2 I see him out performing an aging Henry. In year 1 it would not surprise me if he comes on very strong. He will demand snaps more than Hooper did. Frankly he will enter week 1 already better than Hooper. All due respect to the man.

He is not a 1K TE in this league, maybe once or twice. But once he hits his stride i see him having Hunter Henry level production for 10 years.

He is a 800 yards a year TE IMO... that is nothing to sneeze at.

Fannin was a beast production wise in college, and then continued that excellent production in the pros, even with crappy QB play in Cleveland (Dillon Gabriel was decent). On a side note, if the Browns ever get a decent QB, they can be REALLY dangerous. They added WR’s KC Concepcion AND Denzel Boston.

With Raridon, it’s all about potential not production. His season stats were the equivalent of 3 college games for Fannin. But man, what Raridon COULD be is exciting. The measurables are insane. 6’6” 245, 4.62 forty, 36 inch vertical at that height. Massive hands at 10 3/4. Basketball background so excellent at boxing out defenders. Good blocker. Just an explosive prospect.

There have been so many drafts where TE was really deep, that the Pats basically ignored. So happy that they finally grabbed a talented TE of the future. I wouldn’t mind another one since this is such a deep class as far as TE’s with great measurables.

On a side note, it’s so funny that Wolf said, you don’t draft for need, and what has he done ? Drafted for the 3 biggest needs, in fact, trading up in the 1st two rounds for major needs.

 

[Ross12]

Raridon will start off as the understudy to Henry, with Hill manning the other TE spot. At some point Raridon will probably get some snaps in a rotation to give Henry some rest, or if Henry gets hurt/banged up.

Henry is likely gone in 2027, at which point Raridon and Hill are your new full time starters. And boy, will they give you much better blocking than Henry and Hooper did in 2025…

 

[Huckleberry1]

I was locked in on wanting Delp. Didn't consider Reardon at all.

Digital Bob had this one all the way. Great call.

 

[Uptown]

Looking forward to this I-formation look the next few years:

- QB: Maye
- WR: AJ Brown
- RB: Henderson
- FB: Gilliam
- TE1: Raridon
- LT: Campbell
- LG: Vera-Tucker
- C: Wilson
- RG: Onwenu/other
- RT: Moses/Lomu
- TE2: Hill

Bully ball

 

[Uptown]

Fannin was a beast production wise in college, and then continued that excellent production in the pros, even with crappy QB play in Cleveland (Dillon Gabriel was decent). On a side note, if the Browns ever get a decent QB, they can be REALLY dangerous. They added WR’s KC Concepcion AND Denzel Boston.

With Raridon, it’s all about potential not production. His season stats were the equivalent of 3 college games for Fannin. But man, what Raridon COULD be is exciting. The measurables are insane. 6’6” 245, 4.62 forty, 36 inch vertical at that height. Massive hands at 10 3/4. Basketball background so excellent at boxing out defenders. Good blocker. Just an explosive prospect.

There have been so many drafts where TE was really deep, that the Pats basically ignored. So happy that they finally grabbed a talented TE of the future. I wouldn’t mind another one since this is such a deep class as far as TE’s with great measurables.

On a side note, it’s so funny that Wolf said, you don’t draft for need, and what has he done ? Drafted for the 3 biggest needs, in fact, trading up in the 1st two rounds for major needs.

Yep. Vrabel did say he loves TEs & would ideally grab multiple in this draft if they’re able. I’d welcome Villari or Koziol to round out the TE room.

 

[BobDigital]

I'll just say this on Raridon's blocking. He was blocking for two first round RBs. Just saying.

Yep... can he block like Gronk? No. Can he block better than most current 'tight ends' in the NFL? Yes. He is plenty good enough in that element to never leave the field.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

Hoyer mentions the Gronk comparison as well:



But note TE in this system is very hard to learn - second most complex position after QB. And this guy is pretty inexperienced (only 15 college starts) because of the injuries. (Note the first ACL was at high school playing basketball). So maybe don't expect too much in year 1, although the guy can seriously block right now.

 

[imahobgoblin]

Fannin was a beast production wise in college, and then continued that excellent production in the pros, even with crappy QB play in Cleveland (Dillon Gabriel was decent). On a side note, if the Browns ever get a decent QB, they can be REALLY dangerous. They added WR’s KC Concepcion AND Denzel Boston.

With Raridon, it’s all about potential not production. His season stats were the equivalent of 3 college games for Fannin. But man, what Raridon COULD be is exciting. The measurables are insane. 6’6” 245, 4.62 forty, 36 inch vertical at that height. Massive hands at 10 3/4. Basketball background so excellent at boxing out defenders. Good blocker. Just an explosive prospect.

There have been so many drafts where TE was really deep, that the Pats basically ignored. So happy that they finally grabbed a talented TE of the future. I wouldn’t mind another one since this is such a deep class as far as TE’s with great measurables.

On a side note, it’s so funny that Wolf said, you don’t draft for need, and what has he done ? Drafted for the 3 biggest needs, in fact, trading up in the 1st two rounds for major needs.

We really can't grab another one and expect him to make the team. Henry, Raridon, Hill, Gilliam. It would be more realistic to get an undrafted guy for the PS rather than waste a draft pic. We have five picks left and can use depth at DL, S, CB, P, RB, and WR.

 

[imahobgoblin]

Looking forward to this I-formation look the next few years:

- QB: Maye
- WR: AJ Brown
- RB: Henderson
- FB: Gilliam
- TE1: Raridon
- LT: Campbell
- LG: Vera-Tucker
- C: Wilson
- RG: Onwenu/other
- RT: Moses/Lomu
- TE2: Hill

Swap out Henderson and Raridon for Rham and Lomu in jumbo and scoring from inside the 5 should be golden. Give me a day 3 battering ram RB like Adam Randall and I am thrilled.

 

[TinhWoodhead]

Can we change his first name, though?

Wolf says no

 

[Uptown]

 

[Uptown]

As always, thanks & much respect to @manxman2601 @mayoclinic & everyone else who contributed massively to the extensive coverage/insight of these prospects. Is @BaconGrundleCandy okay?

 

[scott99]

Look at that hand size and arm length, I bet he dominated other toddlers back then.

 

[Uptown]

Look at that hand size and arm length, I bet he dominated other toddlers back then.

You see those red eyes??? We got ourselves a demon!