The New England Patriots put a bow on their 2026 NFL Draft class on Saturday afternoon, selecting nine players in all. While a pair of trade-ups in the first two rounds led to more excitement than later picks, New England could have found themselves a gem in the third round.
With the 95th pick, the Patriots selected Notre Dame tight end Eli Raridon, a 6-foot-6, 245-pound Iowa native. The team lost Austin Hooper to free agency, but added former Dolphin Julian Hill during free agency.
Hill had just 288 receiving yards over his first three seasons, and operates primarily as a blocker, meaning Raridon has the chance to contribute immediately as a pass catcher.
Last season for the Fighting Irish, the tight end had 32 catches for 482 yards. He was unable to find the end zone in 2025, but put together a stat line of 16 catches for 141 yards and three touchdowns across his sophomore and junior seasons in South Bend.
Hunter Henry is ready to mentor rookie tight end Eli Raridon
Hunter Henry is no doubt one of New England's stars. He had a career year at 31 years old in 2025, with 60 catches for 768 yards and two touchdowns. He has only one year left on his contract, however, and turns 32 during the season.
While other veteran starters may be frustrated with the selection of their potential replacement, Henry is excited for the opportunity to work with the rookie in a mentor role.
Mass Live's Mark Daniels wrote about Hunter Henry's comments about the selection of Raridon: “I’m always trying to be a leader. I had some good vets when I was young... So really, hopefully [Raridon] can come alongside and just watch that process. Obviously, I’m going to be there for him.”
Henry went out of his way to mention Antonio Gates and Sean McGrath as veteran tight ends who helped him become the player he is today during his time with the Chargers.
Henry's positive mindset shows exactly the type of player and person he is. Henry became a captain during the middle of the season in 2024 following injuries, and remained one in 2025 when Mike Vrabel was hired.
Not only was he the only one to retain the title, but he was also the only captain who finished the season in New England.
Raridon's role will likely be minimal in his first season, but Henry's contract expires at the end of this season. Should the Notre Dame tight end show enough promise, the Patriots could deem him worthy of being the starter in his sophomore season.
Time will tell, but it's encouraging to have players like Henry so willing to build the franchise.
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