The Patriots went into Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft with a few positions needing to be addressed, and fortunately, it wasn't just wishful thinking from the fans that they would accomplish that.
Because they understood just how badly the defense needed a dominant pass rusher, they traded up to pick Gabe Jacas in the second round, immediately becoming a fan favorite. They followed that up by hitting the nail on the head with Eli Raridon, a tight end out of Notre Dame.
Analysts immediately praised Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf for their choices, but there were some concerns about their decision to take a risk on Raridon, mostly due to his history of devastating injuries at the start of his football career.
He first tore his ACL during the 2021 season, and not long after he returned the following year, he re-tore the same ligament. It's likely what caused him to almost fall to the fourth round, as teams were overly cautious, which allowed him to land in the laps of the Patriots.
But the concerns regarding his injury history are valid, and luckily, it didn't take long for Wolf to address them once the second round concluded.
Eliot Wolf quickly addresses the injury concerns surrounding Patriots' newest tight end
During his immediate post-selection meeting with reporters, Wolf was asked about Raridon's previous injuries and if that should be a concern for his future with the Patriots.
The EVP of Player Personnel assured those with worries that they met with the tight end during the Combine and on a pre-draft visit, reviewed his medicals, and had "no concerns" about what they saw.
That only furthers the potential he holds to be a legitimate weapon for Drake Maye as soon as his rookie season, especially since he looked well on his way to proving just how good he could be by recording 32 receptions for 482 yards in 12 games.
He requires some development, and fortunately, he's going to a team with a solid coaching staff capable of bringing out his best, and his past full of injuries shouldn't be a problem. That's a big sigh of relief and allows him to grow into the kind of player Maye can utilize on game day for years to come.
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