Patriots sign Hunter Henry to two-year extension

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.

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.

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.

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.

All three of Henry’s receptions registered as explosive, 15-plus-yard pass plays. He impressively retained possession of the football on a corner route despite taking a hard hit from Chargers S Tony Jefferson on the Patriots’ sixth drive. He hauled in a critical 19-yard pass on 3rd-and-13, from the Patriots’ 12-yard line on the seventh drive, and scored the Patriots’ only touchdown of the day by beating Chargers S Derwin James for a 28-yard touchdown on the eighth drive, leaving James in the dust, going through his cuts on a corner route. The Patriots face the winner of the Texans-Steelers game tomorrow night.