It's always nice to get kudos during an NFL season and the New England Patriots are a team that's been no stranger to it. Quarterback Drake Maye was recently named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for October.
Along those lines, Pro Football Focus (PFF) has tabulated passing grades for quarterbacks when targeting tight end duos — and No. 1 in that category was Maye and the Patriots.
Through eight games, Maye's passer rating when targeting Henry and rookie Eli Raridon is an NFL-leading 149.3.
Hunter Henry's injury could thrust Eli Raridon into his biggest Patriots role yet
In order for the Patriots to keep that top rating intact, with Henry managing a foot injury that knocked him out of the Dolphins game, they are going to need Raridon to take the next step.
A lot was expected of the former Notre Dame standout after he was drafted in the third round by the Patriots in the 2026 NFL Draft. He's been solid in a supporting role to Henry, recording 13 catches for 173 yards and two touchdowns in seven games.
If Henry is limited by the injury in Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers, Raridon would ascend into a more featured role as the Patriots' top pass-catching tight end. That would put some pressure on the rookie, especially with injuries to wide receivers A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs still impacting the offense.
The positive news is that Mack Hollins, a key target for Maye as his most familiar boundary receiver, is set to play against the Packers after being activated off injured reserve on Saturday. Hollins has missed the past four games with a calf injury but is still the Patriots' third-leading wide receiver with 206 yards.
Since the injury to tight end Julian Hill before the season even began, the Patriots' tight end room has been thin. Raridon has probably played a lot more snaps than the team anticipated, ranking top-10 among the Patriots' offensive players with 258. Fellow rookie Tanner Arkin, who's more of a blocker than a pass-catcher, has played 46 offensive snaps.
Raridon will be looking for a bounce-back performance this week regardless of who's in the Patriots' lineup. He struggled mightily against the Dolphins after Henry left the game in the first quarter, catching only one of his four targets for 5 yards.
Hopefully, Henry can return as soon as possible so the Patriots' lack of depth at the skill positions doesn't come back to bite them.
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