TE6

Eli Raridon

69.35 Recliner Rating:

RELEASE/ROUTE RUNNING

Raridon performs well on routes down the field, using his physicality effectively at the stem. He also excels on quick outs and flat routes, where Notre Dame frequently schemed to get him the ball early. He struggled more on intermediate routes, where tight hips limited the separation he could create.

YARDS AFTER CATCH

Raridon is a physical weapon after the catch and does a good job of following his blocks. Notre Dame utilized him on TE screens, flats, and quick outs to get the ball in his hands early. While he lacks the elusiveness to be a top-end YAC threat, he is more than adequate in this area.

ATHLETICISM

Raridon is a solid athlete with good burst and very good top-end speed. He is not particularly quick and is limited laterally, but his north-south burst is strong, helping him create separation on routes and generate yards after the catch.

BLOCKING

Blocking is a plus area for Raridon. He contributes effectively in both the run game and pass protection. He occasionally got lost when asked to move or pull, but he excelled when his hand was in the dirt with a clear, straightforward assignment.

FANTASY OUTLOOK

Raridon graded out at 69.35, placing him in the backup-with-starter-upside range. He is a solid tight end prospect who could develop into a starter with continued growth. It is worth noting that he suffered two ACL tears to his right knee (2021 and 2022). If he remains healthy, his best football appears to be ahead of him. He is worth a 3rd round pick in rookie drafts.

BALL SKILLS

Raridon possesses solid ball skills, aided by a large wingspan. He routinely makes tough catches in traffic and contested situations. He had two notable drops against Miami, but drops were otherwise absent from the rest of his tape.