Eli Raridon is playing like a second-round pick. At 44.2% of snaps, the rookie tight end has hauled in 12 catches for 168 yards and 2 touchdowns—a production rate that actually matters. When Hunter Henry went down, there was legitimate concern about who'd step in. Turns out it's the kid in the draft class, not a holdover from the old regime. That's the kind of development that gets you excited about the depth chart, even if Henry remains the guy when healthy. The fact that Vrabel trusts Raridon this much speaks to both the rookie's ability to process the system and the coaching staff's confidence in young talent.
The secondary problem is harder to solve. Kevin Byard III has been on the field for 8 pass plays of 20+ yards allowed this season. Eight. That's not a fluke number. That's a pattern. The tape shows the issue: too much space, inconsistent tackling angles. For a safety who's supposed to be the last line of defense, those are the plays that haunt you in close games. Mike Vrabel inherited this roster piece, and right now Byard is looking more like a liability than an asset in critical moments. One open roster spot means management has a decision to make—do they address the secondary now, or do they ride it out and hope Byard tightens up?
Hunter Henry's return matters more than usual in this context. With '10' back in the lineup, the offense gets a security blanket that takes pressure off younger pass-catchers and the secondary. That's not just talent; that's scheme relief. But the Byard situation won't fix itself through Henry's presence alone.