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    Eli Raridon improving, running as Patriots’ TE2

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    Patriots TE Eli Raridon is “playing faster than he did in the spring and is getting first dibs on reps with TE Hunter Henry in two tight end sets.”

    The report comes from team reporter Evan Lazar and is great to hear. Henry, 31, is entering the final year of his contract. The front office spent a third-round pick on Raridon, ostensibly hoping he would convince them that he can be the TE1 after this season. In many instances, that means late-season utilization. The fact that he is already competing for the TE2 role, and doing so impressively, can only be viewed as a positive. Per Lazar, Raridon “caught the eye on multiple occasions working in the passing game.” He showcased the requisite speed to get behind the second level, and his “ability to catch the ball in traffic” stands out. Raridon can be treated as a best ball TE3 at this time.
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  • NE Tight End
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    ESPN’s Mike Reiss spoke with Brown this week after the Patriots placed TE Julian Hill (knee) on season-ending injured reserve. Brown complimented Raridon’s long speed, athleticism and acceleration, while noting that he has “pretty good ball skills.” Brown believes that there is “so much more to kind of be captured from his college tape.” Raridon has been a dynasty darling in rookie drafts thus far. Hill’s injury could allow Raridon to compete for the TE2 role this season and potentially contribute to the Patriots’ offense down the stretch. He is worth keeping an eye on this summer.
  • NE Tight End #80
    Hill suffered a “devastating, awful” (Mike Vrabel’s words) knee injury in OTAs. He had just signed a three-year contract, and his absence will likely have the Patriots relying more on Reggie Gilliam as a blocker while elevating the snap count of third-round draft pick Eli Raridon.
  • NE Tight End
    It’s an interesting pick for fantasy purposes if Raridon can carve out a role in the balanced Patriots offense. Though Hunter Henry will enter the season as the clear No. 1 tight end, Raridon could eat into Henry’s snaps and routes if he excels. Raridon (6’6/245) didn’t see much run while playing behind future NFL tight ends Michael Mayer and Mitch Evans during his first three seasons at Notre Dame. He finally took over the starting gig in 2025 and put up a respectable 482 yards on 32 receptions. Despite looming over most defensive backs, Raridon didn’t score once as a senior. He largely won with straight-line speed, only forcing nine missed tackles during his career. That speed still propelled him to a reasonable 5.5 yards after the catch per reception. While he’s not the complete package as a tight end, Raridon checks enough boxes to be worth a stash in dynasty leagues.
  • FA Tight End
    He links them to Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers in a mock draft filed a few days before the actual event, and notes that they need someone to complement the “all-around play of Hunter Henry and the blocking prowess of Julian Hill.” The Patriots never replaced Austin Hooper, who fled to the Falcons in free agency. A Day 2 pick on a receiving tight end — Stowers or otherwise — could cut into Henry’s TE1 odds in 2026.
  • NE Tight End #85
    Flying under the radar as always, 31-year-old Henry finished with a career-high 768 yards. His 60 receptions tied for his second most, while his seven scores were his most since 2021. Only Stefon Diggs had more receiving yards on the Pats. Although this is a skill corps that needs to be upgraded, Henry should remain an integral part of it for 2026. He is headed into the final year of his contract, and could be a candidate for a short offseason extension. The TE9 by total PPR points this season, Henry will remain in the TE9-12 mix.
  • NE Tight End #85
    Henry’s longest gain came on a nine-yard reception on the Patriots’ opening drive of the second half. What might appear to be a forgettable play on the surface, however, set up the Patriots for a fourth-and-inches, which was converted for a first down by Drake Maye on the following play, which positioned the Patriots to make their only field goal of the day, which put them up 10-7 and proved to be the difference maker. Henry has seen just five targets in the Patriots’ last two games, but could benefit from better weather in the Super Bowl, which is set to be played in San Francisco.
  • NE Tight End #85
    One of the Pats’ leading receivers in the Wild Card Round, Henry was a surprising afterthought against the Texans on an afternoon where it was tough sledding for both passing games. Always in the mix on the most important downs, Henry will likely command some critical targets in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game against the Broncos.
  • NE Tight End #85
    As expected, Henry will play his usual role. He hooked up with Drake Maye for Maye’s lone touchdown last week against the Chargers and should be in DFS consideration this weekend despite playing in a game with the lowest scoring total on the slate.
  • NE Tight End #85
    He was listed with this knee injury ahead of last week’s game as well and it looks like it won’t be a problem for Henry to play against the Texans on Sunday. It would be surprising if he weren’t cleared off the injury report on Friday.
  • NE Tight End #85
    Henry dealt with a knee injury in Week 18 as well before catching 5-of-5 targets for 56 yards. We expect him to be his normal self for the Patriots’ Divisional Round game against the Texans on Sunday. Despite being 31 years old, Henry totaled a career-high 768 receiving yards this season.

Rotoworld

  • ARI Defensive Tackle #93
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    Cardinals signed DT Brodric Martin, formerly of the Raiders.

    While we are happy for Martin, we can’t help but wonder if this is related to the apparent left knee injury DT Walter Nolen appeared to suffer at today’s practice. Hopefully, the Cardinals are just playing it safe. Martin entered the NFL as a 2023 third-round pick with the Lions.
  • LA Defensive Tackle #99
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    Speaking to ESPN’s Sarah Barshop about former Rams DT Aaron Donald’s potential return, coach Sean McVay said his “arrow” is “trending upward.”

    We assume this means Donald’s football workouts are going well. McVay adds that he does not expect to hear from Donald until the Rams return to the team facility in Woodland Hills after training camp. They are currently practicing at Loyola Marymount University. According to the team site, the last public training camp practice is scheduled for August 6th. It sounds like we might get an update on Donald in a week or two.
  • NO Wide Receiver #0
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    New Orleans Football’s Mike Triplett reports that Saints WR Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) is participating fully at training camp.

    A “significant” hamstring injury prevented Tyson from participating in the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. He then remained limited throughout spring practices after the Saints drafted him in April. Earlier this week, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis revealed that Tyson had suffered “a small recurrence during the pre-draft process,” which explains his springtime limitations. The injury is now behind Tyson, and he has been practicing with the first-team offense since the Saints took the practice field on Wednesday. His new personal chef, a hyperbaric chamber and a recovery room are all part of his plan to maintain good health moving forward. Saints QB Tyler Shough notably complimented Tyson’s preparation and desire to improve. Tyson is slated to operate as the Saints’ WR2 while returning WR3 value or better in fantasy this season.
  • WAS Wide Receiver #13
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    Last Man Standig’s Ben Standig reports that Commanders WR Treylon Burks (foot soreness) sat out Thursday’s “on-field work.”

    Commanders coach Dan Quinn also said the team doesn’t see the soreness as a long-term issue, but it is a disappointing follow-up to what was reportedly a strong showing for Burks at the first training camp practice. The Commanders have a very thin wide receiver corps, so every injury matters. Hopefully, Burks is back before long.
  • FA Running Back #25
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    Colts hosted RB Kenny McIntosh for a workout on Friday.

    The Colts also hosted RB Marcus Major for a workout today. McIntosh suffered a torn ACL in July 2025 and was recently waived by the Seahawks.
  • ARI Defensive Lineman #97
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    Cardinals DL Walter Nolen left practice early on Friday after suffering an apparent knee injury.

    This is a bummer. A torn meniscus in his left knee ended Nolen’s 2025 rookie season. Multiple beat reporters say Nolen appeared to injure his left knee today. He had been drawing positive reviews in training camp thus far. Hopefully, this is only a short-term injury.
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    The Athletic’s Jesse Newell believes Chiefs WR Andrew Armstrong “appears” to have a chance to make the final roster.

    This isn’t exactly breaking news, but it is always worth keeping track of the players who might have a chance to catch passes from QB Patrick Mahomes. Newell compares Armstrong to WR Tyquan Thornton, who signed with the Chiefs in November 2024 before earning Mahomes’ trust the following offseason. Armstrong has spent the entire offseason training with the Chiefs and was allowed to take “numerous” first-team reps on Thursday. In his 2024 senior season at Arkansas, Armstrong (6'4/202) led the SEC in catches (78), receiving yards (1,140) and receiving yards per game (103.6). Newell believes “it would be an underdog tale if he makes the team,” so set your expectations accordingly, but feel free to track his progress this summer.
  • ARI Running Back #4
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    Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur said, “not one running back can take all 65 snaps” in a game.

    Regarding running backs who play “all 65 snaps,” LaFleur says that he has “seen that story when guys are a little bit overloaded,” it hurts them either in the short- or long-term. Fortunately for all involved, not even 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey plays on 100 percent of snaps. He handled 81.6 percent last year, which is extremely high. This is a bit of a straw man argument from LaFleur, who ultimately concluded his comments by saying he wants to keep his running backs fresh and healthy for 17 games. That makes sense, but when a player is taken with the No. 3 overall pick, like RB Jeremiyah Love, we should expect them to eventually settle into a workload in which they are playing on a comfortable majority of snaps. The Cardinals’ coaching staff is seemingly intent on keeping Love’s ADP in check. We’ll take it.
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    Cardinals signed CB Quinton Newsome, formerly of the Broncos.

    Newsome had a tryout with the Cardinals earlier in the week. He spent 2024-25 as a practice squad player with the Broncos. The Cardinals correspondingly placed CB Jaden Davis on injured reserve.
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    ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that former Bills coach Sean McDermott is visiting the Rams today.

    According to Schefter, McDermott is using his time off to see how a few teams operate. If McDermott truly is just dropping by to see how the Rams do things, rather than interviewing for a job, it’s a bit unorthodox, but we suppose it’s a smart move. Perhaps McDermott will ultimately line up a consulting gig after a few of these visits. No word yet on the other organizations he is set to visit. We expect to hear more soon.