Elijah Raridon

Tore the ACL in the same knee in back-to-back years (2021 and 2022), which delayed his development and is the primary reason the dynasty market discounts him. Re-injury and durability risk remains a real long-term concern at a physical position.

Sits behind entrenched TE1 Hunter Henry (768 yards, 7 TDs in 2025) and competes for targets in an offense that just traded for A.J. Brown. Year-1 receiving volume projects near zero.

Blocking-first profile with below-average athleticism; managed only 32 catches/482 yards as a senior in a run-heavy Notre Dame offense. Receiving upside is the question mark, not the floor.

Hunter Henry's contract expires after the 2026 season, giving Raridon a clear, low-cost pathway to the starting TE job in 2027.

Attached to ascending young QB Drake Maye entering his third season, a favorable long-term anchor if Raridon ever earns a receiving role.

Third-round pick (95th overall) is meaningful NFL investment for a TE and signals the Patriots see him as a developmental successor, not just a blocker.