DRAFT Welcome To New England Notre Dame TE Eli Raridon (3rd round, #95)

[WhatJustHappened]

I am watching the draft on the NFL network.

Why do they keep advertising anti-depression medications?

For Jets fans.

 

[BobDigital]

I don’t mean this to sound confrontational, but what does “special” mean to you?
What do you see as his average in receptions, yards and touchdowns per season over the next 5 seasons?

Not who you asked but I'll jump in.

Raridon has skill but he is not one of those truly special players imo. He will best feast and famine a bit more than us like as he will either take a few big chunks out of you or be a bit of a non-factor. Not quite that bad, as he can do a bit of underneath work, but he works best 20 yards down the field than within 5. He can get you 5 hard yards though if need be.

After his rookie year I see him hovering between 600-900 yards. And him ideally being a deadly 3rd option who puts you over the top than a go to 2nd option. Or 1 of 2 equally good second options. His blocking will be a value add and he will feast for chunks in heavy looks. Basically the kind of guy you are better off using 3 times successfully for big plays than forcing it to 9 times a game if you have to choose between the 2 extremes.

Realistically I think his average state line looks like this in an average game 4/6 60 yards 3 big catches between 15-25 yards and a small 5 yard out. Something like that. He won't get that every game, but that will be his most common stat line I think. Though in the occasional missed game like they all have a few subpar games a year along with 1 huge one and that is who I think he is.

 

[Real fan 02]

That basketball clip shows what an athlete he is. Really excited about this guy, he's gonna be a force right away.

Yes. Like Drake and a few other patriots he has a basketball background. Today's athletes are multi faceted athletes. I know milt takes up boxing to help with his rush moves so didn't judon. It's such a benefit when guys have an athletic background.

 

[Triumph]

Now I know he’ll be a stud.

Post draft is when all fans dream of rainbows and unicorns about every draft pick.

 

[Toofy]

Not who you asked but I'll jump in.

Raridon has skill but he is not one of those truly special players imo. He will best feast and famine a bit more than us like as he will either take a few big chunks out of you or be a bit of a non-factor. Not quite that bad, as he can do a bit of underneath work, but he works best 20 yards down the field than within 5. He can get you 5 hard yards though if need be.

After his rookie year I see him hovering between 600-900 yards. And him ideally being a deadly 3rd option who puts you over the top than a go to 2nd option. Or 1 of 2 equally good second options. His blocking will be a value add and he will feast for chunks in heavy looks. Basically the kind of guy you are better off using 3 times successfully for big plays than forcing it to 9 times a game if you have to choose between the 2 extremes.

Realistically I think his average state line looks like this in an average game 4/6 60 yards 3 big catches between 15-25 yards and a small 5 yard out. Something like that. He won't get that every game, but that will be his most common stat line I think. Though in the occasional missed game like they all have a few subpar games a year along with 1 huge one and that is who I think he is.

That's top 10 TE you are describing. I would be happy with that ...

 

[Triumph]

It's OK to use that fact in your argument, T, but do NOT forget to add that he has been successfully playing on that knee for the past FOUR years. So even you will have to agree that a LOT of that fear has since waned a bit.

FACT is the key word here. You and facts are never on the same planet, but what else is new?

He missed all of 2022 (remember? He blew out his ACL) and had a total of 5 receptions over 13 games in 2023. So, now you are down to TWO years. This guy had 11 receptions over 16 games for the entire 2024 season. 33 receptions in 2025 (which is more like it), but he missed 5 games that season too.

According to you this is success. Henry probably hasnt slept a wink since he was drafted.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/eli-raridon-1.html

 

[40yrpatsfan]

He originally hurt the knee in high school, then re-injured it his freshman year at ND, which cost him 2022 and some of 2023. He hasn't missed any games since then. He played all 12 games last season for the 10-2 Irish. I'd say he's fully recovered from his freshman injury.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

That's top 10 TE you are describing. I would be happy with that ...

I think he'll be similar to Henry as a receiver in both style and production, and will be a better blocker.

 

[n1997y]

I think he'll be similar to Henry as a receiver in both style and production, and will be a better blocker.

I agree. And I don’t think the production reflects as much on them as it does on the design of the Pats offense. If we don’t get AJB that probably adds several hundred yards to the TE total.

 

[Real fan 02]

He originally hurt the knee in high school, then re-injured it his freshman year at ND, which cost him 2022 and some of 2023. He hasn't missed any games since then. He played all 12 games last season for the 10-2 Irish. I'd say he's fully recovered from his freshman injury.

40 it's also worth noting that H.henry is entering the last year if his deal is believe? Would be great if he could come in learn from Henry and become that 2nd option for us.. should Henry resign say a 2 year extension we would have him with Henry already in place as the featured Gronk type TE..

 

[patfanken]

FACT is the key word here. You and facts are never on the same planet, but what else is new?

He missed all of 2022 (remember? He blew out his ACL) and had a total of 5 receptions over 13 games in 2023. So, now you are down to TWO years. This guy had 11 receptions over 16 games for the entire 2024 season. 33 receptions in 2025 (which is more like it), but he missed 5 games that season too.

According to you this is success. Henry probably hasnt slept a wink since he was drafted.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/eli-raridon-1.html

You said he missed 5 games last season, the VERY next post states he played all 12 games. Which is it?

 

[scott99]

All three picks in the first three rounds are about potential. Whereas the last 2 years, they tried immediate plug and play, didn’t work out very well except for Maye and Campbell.

With Raridon, you never had the production, it’s always about potential. A 6’6” TE that runs a 4.62 and has huge hands and know how to box out defenders with help from his basketball background, it’s an exciting pick. Though he didn’t produce much, you can see what he can become if used correctly and used more than ND used him. Also, with good mentorship from Henry and the TE coach. Best case he can take over as TE#1 in 2027 when Henry leaves/retires.

 

[Crazy Patriot Guy]

You said he missed 5 games last season, the VERY next post states he played all 12 games. Which is it?

Looks like he played 5 games as a freshman before tearing his ACL. He missed the first 6 games the following year while recovering, then played the rest of the season and hasn't missed a game since.

 

[PatsFan2]

All three picks in the first three rounds are about potential. Whereas the last 2 years, they tried immediate plug and play, didn’t work out very well except for Maye and Campbell.

With Raridon, you never had the production, it’s always about potential. A 6’6” TE that runs a 4.62 and has huge hands and know how to box out defenders with help from his basketball background, it’s an exciting pick. Though he didn’t produce much, you can see what he can become if used correctly and used more than ND used him. Also, with good mentorship from Henry and the TE coach. Best case he can take over as TE#1 in 2027 when Henry leaves/retires.

IF Raridon shows he can Block he'll be TE one before seasons end. H Henry is very close to that TE's cliff.

 

[scott99]

IF Raridon shows he can Block he'll be TE one before seasons end. H Henry is very close to that TE's cliff.

I don’t know, they brought in a blocking TE, and Raridon has shown he can be a decent blocker. It’ll be tough to take Henry off the field since Maye loves throwing to him. Once Maye feels comfortable with Raridon, all bets are off then.

 

[Joey007]

Post draft is when all fans dream of rainbows and unicorns about every draft pick.

And when you dream every player is going to be a colossal failure. You’re no more logical than they are

 

[Triumph]

And when you dream every player is going to be a colossal failure. You’re no more logical than they are

No, I just choose to live in reality.

 

[The Gr8est]

I don’t know, they brought in a blocking TE, and Raridon has shown he can be a decent blocker. It’ll be tough to take Henry off the field since Maye loves throwing to him. Once Maye feels comfortable with Raridon, all bets are off then.

Remember too that, like Gronk, Raridon missed much of his college career with injuries and is somewhat of a projection.

There is only one Gronk, but Raridon has the potential to be Gronk-lite.

 

[Joey007]

No, I just choose to live in reality.

Doesn’t appear that way

 

[40yrpatsfan]

All I know is we're gonna have a great TE room this year.