What drafting Eli Raridon in Round 3 means for the Patriots

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 15, 2025: Eli Raridon #9 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish carries the ball during the first half against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium on November 15, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images As the third round of the 2026 NFL draft reached the New England Patriots, so did a tight end. The war room in Foxborough stayed at No.

95 overall to select Notre Dame’s Eli Raridon on Friday night. Here’s an initial look into why and what’s ahead. After an injury-riddled start, a 32-catch senior year Raridon, who turned 22 in February, saw action in 40 games during his stay in South Bend.

Enrolling as a four-star recruit out of Iowa’s Valley High School and suffering a second torn ACL to his right knee as a freshman, he went on to start 18 games. The Notre Dame career brought 48 receptions for 623 yards and three touchdowns. But no games were missed from his junior year on.

And as a senior in head coach Marcus Freeman’s fold, Raridon started all 12 of his appearances while setting career bests with 32 catches for 482 yards despite behind kept out of the end zone. Pro Football Focus charted Raridon for generating 184 yards after the catch in 2025. The East-West Shrine Bowl attendee’s average depth of target checked in a 8.