By admin 
The last time the New England Patriots took a draft gamble on a tight end with injury woes was Round 2 back in 2010.
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That “gamble” – Arizona’s Rob Gronkowski — will come back to Foxborough this fall for his enshrinement into The Hall at Patriot Place. Canton and the Pro Football Hall of Fame will likely be the next stop for the four-time Super Bowl champion.
Fast forward back to 2026. The Patriots hit the season opener with what they hope is a chance well taken in Notre Dame’s Eli Raridon. The third-round selection earlier in the spring has turned more than a few heads through training camp, most recently earning the team’s “Future Hits” notoriety in an article by The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue.
Why he slipped to Round 3
Raridon slipped to the third round after a quiet, 48-catch career with the Fighting Irish. During his time in South Bend, he underwent a pair of ACL surgeries.
Early in training camp it was evident that the massive 6-foot-6, 245-pounder had something.
Backup quarterback Tommy DeVito said it early in training camp: “He’s a big target. I bet you’d want to throw to him, too.”
Jumping on the fast track
Early in July, Raridon spun mainly with the second and third teams in camp. When they put the pads on in August, things changed. More and more, he mixed in with the first-teamers, either spelling starter Hunter Henry or adding to the attack in two tight end sets.
Raridon’s progression was partially out of need. The team suffered a major blow in the spring when former Miami Dolphin Julian Hill, acquired in free agency, was lost for the year with an injury.
Raridon assumed the opportunity and has run with it.
Running with the top unit
After the first preseason game, in which he played, he sat the next two along with the starters. It was clear then that he was a part of the offense, immediately as a rookie.
“I think a lot of growth was made with the team and with myself,” Raridon said heading into the final preseason game. “I’m really excited to get to play other teams and live out my dreams.
“This is something that has been a dream of mine ever since I can remember. I’m just really excited to go out there and play.”
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This story was originally published September 9, 2026 at 4:30 AM.