When the New England Patriots selected tight end Eli Raridon with the 95th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, one question immediately followed, was his injury history too big of a risk? After all, the former Notre Dame standout had torn the ACL in his right knee twice before even reaching the NFL.
But for Patriots general manager Eliot Wolf, the answer was simple: no concern at all. In fact, the team made it clear they had done more than enough homework before making the pick.
Raridon entered the draft as one of the more intriguing tight end prospects in the class. At 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds, he brought the size, athleticism, and versatility teams look for at the position. His breakout 2025 season at University of Notre Dame saw him post 32 catches for 482 yards, finally showing the potential that made him such a highly rated recruit.
Still, scouts could not ignore his medical past. Raridon first tore his ACL during his senior year of high school in 2021, then suffered another tear in the same knee as a freshman at Notre Dame in 2022. That second setback also affected the start of his 2023 season, delaying his development and limiting his college production early on.
That history made him a risk for some teams, but not for New England. Speaking after the draft, Wolf said the Patriots’ medical staff thoroughly evaluated Raridon before signing off on the selection.
“Jim Whalen and Dr. Martin and the whole crew signed off on it. No real concerns,” Wolf said. “We brought Eli in for a pre-draft visit, so they were able to examine him not only at the Combine but also here.”
Raridon himself was just as confident. After being drafted, he made it clear that he feels fully healthy and has no lingering issues from the injuries that once threatened his career. “I’m feeling amazing, no effects at all,” he said.
Wolf also admitted the Patriots were surprised Raridon was still available that late in the third round. He praised the young tight end as a “tremendous athlete” and pointed to his rapid growth during his final college season. According to Wolf, the team saw a player whose confidence kept growing and whose best football may still be ahead of him.
With veteran Hunter Henry still leading the Patriots’ tight end room, Raridon will not be forced into immediate heavy responsibility. That gives him valuable time to develop while preparing to potentially become a long-term option at the position. Henry turns 32 this year and is entering a contract year, making the future of the position an important focus for New England.
For the Patriots, drafting Eli Raridon was less about taking a gamble and more about betting on upside. His injuries may have scared off other teams, but New England believes the medical concerns are behind him. If they are right, the Patriots may have quietly found one of the best value picks of the draft.
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