The New England Patriots don't lack playmakers. Romeo Doubs, A.J. Brown, Rhamondre Stevenson, and TreVeyon Henderson give offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels more than enough to get creative, and that's just to name a few.
However, even the best things can be improved, and this team may have found a true gem in the third round of the NFL Draft. Eli Raridon has gone somewhat overlooked to the naked eye, but fellow tight end Hunter Henry has definitely taken notice.
Addressing the media, the Patriots' veteran tight end had nothing but praise for the rookie. And while he acknowledged that he hasn't always been perfect, the effort and determination to improve have been more than evident.
Hunter Henry praises Patriots rookie Eli Raridon
"He’s doing a lot of good things, man. A lot of good things. Just continuing to grow on things that he does well," said Henry. "I think he gains confidence, obviously I mean, we all gain confidence when you’re doing something right. I think when he maybe messes something up or does something maybe not to the level that he wants, he never really makes the same mistake twice.
He learns a lot, asks a lot of questions. He’s really eager. He’s a lot of fun to be around in the room too. I mean, he’s just a good dude. It’s kinda fun to kinda grow with him, to see his growth throughout training camp, and that’s only gonna continue to go as we get into the season on a week-to-week basis."
That means a lot, coming from someone who has become a fan favorite and a beloved veteran in the locker room. While he's not Rob Gronkowski, keeping him around for the next two years with a $16 million extension was definitely a big win for the Pats.
The Patriots don't need Raridon to contribute right away, but having Henry take him under his wing and teach him the ropes can certainly speed up his development. Instead of seeing him as competition or a replacement, the veteran takes pride in coaching up his heir apparent.
Raridon isn't the most athletic guy out there, and he does come with some injury concerns and limited explosiveness as a YAC threat. Nevertheless, he shows an impressive catch radius, is a willing and physical blocker, and is highly effective in small spaces, excelling in the middle of the field as a reliable checkdown option.
Whether Josh McDaniels will put a lot on his plate right out of the gate remains to be seen. He's more likely to serve a role as a blocker than as a pass catcher early on, but there's no need to rush things with the third-round rookie.
For now, all that matters is that Raridon is working his rear end off, trying to get up to speed, and soaking in as much information as possible from a battle-tested guy who knows what it takes to thrive in this league and in this offense.
The Patriots have a long track record of success at the position, and even though it's unfair to demand that level of greatness from him, McDaniels certainly knows how to put his tight ends in a position to succeed. He just needs time.
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