Eli Raridon improving, running as Patriots’ TE2

Daniels adds that third-round rookie TE Eli Raridon “looks the part,” but he believes Henry is “by far the team’s best tight end and once again will be a security blanket” for QB Drake Maye. Henry posted a 6/768/7 receiving line in 2025 and a 66/674/ receiving line in 2024. A similar stat line this year would be unsurprising.

One of the beneficiaries of Drake Maye’s 2025 breakout campaign was Henry, who caught 60 passes and seven touchdowns while posting a career-high 768 receiving yards. Henry, 31, has spent the last five seasons with the Patriots and has been a reliable producer for them in the passing game and has always been reliable as a run blocker. His new deal will keep him under contract through the 2028 season. Henry profiles as a mid-TE2 in fantasy this season and has produced 13 top-12 PPR weeks since 2024.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.