The Patriots' tight end cupboard has been bare for years. After Gronkowski, New England treated the position like an afterthought in the draft—two early picks (Asiasi and Keene) that went nowhere. That inattention on Day 1 and Day 2 cost them at a position that matters in modern football. Now, with Eli Raridon on the roster, the organization appears ready to take the group seriously again.
Raridon's presence during OTAs signals a different approach. Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf aren't rebuilding through wishful thinking; they're building depth and competition at a spot that can't be ignored. With Hunter Henry still in the fold alongside Raridon, Marshall Lang, Austin Hooper, and others, the Patriots have multiple bodies to evaluate. That's a departure from the skeletal tight end rooms of recent years.
The real question isn't whether Raridon becomes a star—it's whether this group can actually contribute in a meaningful way. Henry brings veteran presence. Raridon needs to prove he fits Vrabel's scheme and can separate from defenders. The Patriots' offensive system under new leadership demands competence at tight end, and investing real roster spots here—rather than hoping a third-rounder magically develops—shows the front office understands that basic reality.
This isn't sexy. It won't dominate headlines like a big skill position acquisition. But a tight end room with actual depth? That's how you build a functional offense. The Gronkowski era spoiled us. Everything after felt like a compromise. Maybe Raridon and this retooled group change that narrative, even if modestly. The Patriots have finally stopped treating tight end like a problem to ignore and started treating it like a position to develop.
Based on reporting from Pats Pulpit.