analyst
Hunter Henry Looking More Like a Matchup Play in 2026
Hunter Henry's role is safe, but the Patriots' additions outside make it harder to bank on a high target share
Julian Hill
TE · NE · 26 yrs · exp 3 · Campbell
Status
- Game status
- Inactive
- Injury
- IR
News
Stories linked to this player — newest first.
analyst
Hunter Henry an Undervalued Late-Round Tight End
Despite signing a two-year, $16 million extension and showcasing strong chemistry with QB Drake Maye, Patriots TE Hunter Henry is being drafted as TE16 after a career-high 768 receiving yards in 2025. Injuries to Julian Hill and the development of Tanner Arkin may further solidify Henry's role in a tight end-heavy offense
analyst
Things are Slowing Down for Rookie Tight End Eli Raridon
New England Patriots rookie third-round tight end Eli Raridon said at training camp on Thursday that things are slowing down for him, according to Mark Daniels of MassLive.com. Raridon said it has been night and day from the spring. Even though the Patriots still have Hunter Henry as their top pass-catching tight end, and after they added receivers A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs in the offseason, Raridon could make an impact as a receiver in 2026 in his first year in the NFL. The 22-year-old should be considered the favorite for TE2 duties with Julian Hill (knee) already ruled out for the season. He needs to refine his blocking skills, but Raridon is certainly a young TE name to keep an eye on for those in deep fantasy leagues in 2026. Raridon has excellent size (6-foot-6, 245 pounds), athleticism, and speed to give New England another weapon to challenge opposing defenses down the field. He doesn't come without durability concerns, though, having already torn his ACL twice. Raridon is a fine TE to stash in dynasty/keeper leagues, but he can be ignored for now in most redraft formats
analyst
Eli Raridon "Flashing" as a Pass-Catcher
Rookie tight end Eli Raridon is reportedly impressing in training camp with his receiving ability, making contested catches and showing good route running. While he is expected to back up Hunter Henry, injuries to other tight ends and his potential could open up opportunities in his rookie season. He is considered a dynasty/keeper stash with upside if his blocking improves
general
Patriots scouting report: Jeremiah Franklin is an able blocking tight end
Jeremiah Franklin, a tight end signed by the New England Patriots, is profiled. Despite going undrafted and facing initial uncertainty, Franklin brings size, athleticism, and a productive college history to the Patriots' tight end group, which has been impacted by injuries and roster moves
TE · NE
TE · TB
general
Patriots agree to terms with TE Jeremiah Franklin
Pro Football TalkSource ↗
The Patriots agreed to terms with tight end Jeremiah Franklin, Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reports. Franklin worked out for the team on Thursday. The Patriots were thin at the position with Julian Hill out for the season with a knee injury and C.J. Dippre on the active/physically unable to perform list. The team signed tight end Mitch Van Vooren earlier this week. The team will have to make a corresponding move to get Franklin on the roster. Franklin started all 12 games as a senior at Boston College, catching 49 passes for 506 yards and two touchdowns. He appeared in 44 games during his college career, including 30 starts, finishing with 93 receptions for 1,010 yards and six touchdowns
TE · NE
TE · TB
general
Patriots agree to terms with TE Jeremiah Franklin
Yahoo Sports NFLSource ↗
The Patriots agreed to terms with tight end Jeremiah Franklin , Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reports. Franklin worked out for the team on Thursday. The Patriots were thin at the position with Julian Hill out for the season with a knee injury and C.J. Dippre on the active/physically unable to perform list. The team signed tight end Mitch Van Vooren earlier this week. The team will have to make a corresponding move to get Franklin on the roster. Franklin started all 12 games as a senior at Boston College , catching 49 passes for 506 yards and two touchdowns. He appeared in 44 games during his college career, including 30 starts, finishing with 93 receptions for 1,010 yards and six touchdowns
general
Patriots signing former Boston College tight end after workout, per report
Yahoo Sports NFLSource ↗
A Chestnut Hill product has touched down in Foxborough ahead of training camp. The New England Patriots signed former Boston College tight end Jeremiah Franklin following a workout on Thursday, according to a report from CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz . Unselected in the 2026 NFL draft, Franklin previously attended rookie minicamp at Gillette Stadium on a tryout basis in May. His circling back comes a day after the reigning AFC champions worked out six free agents, signing tight end Mitch Van Vooren and linebacker Riley Wilson while waiving fullback Brock Lampe. A corresponding move will follow to make room on a summer roster that currently stands north of 91 active players. Franklin started all 12 games as a senior in the ACC on the way to catching 49 passes for 506 yards and two touchdowns. The 6-foot-3, 244-pound UDFA appeared in 44 games during his Eagles career, including 30 starts, finishing with 93 receptions for 1,010 yards and six touchdowns altogether. New England ’s tight end depth chart lost veteran addition Julian Hill to season-ending injured reserve in June. Rising sophomore C.J. Dippre has since been placed on physically unable to perform to begin training camp. The position also includes captain Hunter Henry , rookies Eli Raridon and Tanner Arkin, as well as previous starting fullback Jack Westover . The first practice of Patriots training camp is set for 10:15 a.m. ET on Saturday
general
Patriots to work out free agent tight end as training camp begins
The New England Patriots are bringing in free agent tight end Thomas Odukoya for a workout as training camp approaches. Odukoya, who spent time on the Patriots' practice squad last season before suffering a broken leg, is now healthy and looking to rejoin the team. The Patriots have depth concerns at tight end due to injuries and other players on the PUP list
TE · NE
TE · NE
analyst
Hunter Henry: Remains top tight end
While Henry returns as the Patriots' top tight end, slotting behind him on the team's depth chart has yet to be solidified following Julian Hill's season-ending knee injury, Evan Lazar of the team's official site reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update
general
Patriots links 7/15/26: Summer spotight on OL, TE, FB
Yahoo Sports NFLSource ↗
The Patriots' training camp preview focuses on the offensive line and tight end positions, with notable mentions of Hunter Henry, Julian Hill, and Jared Wilson. Discussions also touch upon Mike Onwenu's overlooked value, Drake Maye's potential, and potential wide receiver pairings. Rookies Namdi Obiazor and Karon Prunty are highlighted for their potential impact, while Brenden Schooler is recognized for his special teams contributions. Marcus Jones is lauded as a dual-threat superstar, and a controversial ranking of Tom Brady is also discussed
analyst
Patriots Hoping Rookie Eli Raridon Can Contribute Immediately
Jordy McElroy of Patriots Wire writes that the New England Patriots are "desperately clinging to hope" that rookie third-round tight end Eli Raridon "can contribute right out of the gate" in 2026. If Raridon doesn't look like he can handle TE2 duties behind starter Hunter Henry in training camp this summer, it "wouldn't be a surprise" to see the Patriots bring in a veteran at the position to boost the competition. As of right now, McElroy lists Raridon as the No. 2 TE behind Henry, with Tanner Arkin, Jack Westover, and CJ Dippre behind him. Raridon, 22, is a versatile option at the position with the ability to be a solid receiver and blocker. He has a clear path to rookie-year snaps with Julian Hill (knee) going on season-ending Injured Reserve and with Austin Hooper leaving in free agency to sign with the Atlanta Falcons. The 6-foot-6, 245-pounder needs to improve his blocking, but if he can do that, he could have a meaningful role in 2026. And if Henry were to go down with an injury, Raridon would gain lots of steam off the waiver wire in all fantasy football leagues
general
3-Point Stance: The Patriots need to make a move at tight end
Yahoo Sports NFLSource ↗
After a season-ending injury to tight end Julian Hill during a practice earlier this offseason, the New England Patriots became suddenly thin at the position without the new free-agent signing’s presence as a blocker. So much so that head coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged that’s a spot the team may need to bolster. “I think just from a numbers standpoint in camp, I think that’s somewhere we’ll probably have to evaluate the numbers,” Vrabel said during mandatory minicamp . “There are 90 guys, 91 guys on every team. So, we’ll just have to take a look at that, but I would say that’s probably somewhere we would have to address.” Minicamp ended on June 11, and with training camp now three weeks away, no move has been made yet. Some remaining free agents that fit Hill’s archetype are Will Dissly , Nick Vannett and Pharaoh Brown , who spent the 2023 season with the Patriots as a late-summer addition. Nonetheless, there’s a glaring need for reinforcement. Hill was brought in following the Austin Hooper departure to the Atlanta Falcons . Hooper was a short-to-intermediate receiving threat behind veteran Hunter Henry and was also a competent blocker. The 25-year-old Hill has the tools to fill a similar kind of role. He offers reliable blocking at the position, and Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf also showed confidence in him as a receiver. “Really kind of improved each year that he’s been in it,” Wolf said earlier this offseason. “And you know, we think there’s probably still some meat on the bone in the passing game as well for him, but certainly a physical tough guy at the point of attack.” But now, without Hill, New England may not have an immediate replacement available on its current roster. As of now, third-round NFL Draft selection Eli Raridon is the closest option to that versatile role; however, as a developmental prospect, he may need time to grow into it. Raridon struggled to find consistent playing time during his first two seasons at Notre Dame, nursing two torn ACLs on the same knee. It wasn’t until his senior season in 2025 that he found his footing, catching 32 passes for 482 yards. The rookie’s combination of size and athleticism is what makes Raridon such an intriguing tight end. At 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds with a 36-inch vertical leap, he has the traits to become a vertical threat up the seam and a reliable red-zone target for quarterback Drake Maye . Because of his natural ability as a pass catcher, it’s easy to envision Maye connecting with Raridon throughout 2026. Still, he’ll need to make considerable improvements as a blocker to prove he can assume a role similar to what Hill would’ve provided. Raridon is a willing blocker but needs to further develop his play strength and refine his technique. It’s not guaranteed that Raridon progresses enough to reliably fill a hybrid role as a blocker and receiver by the beginning of the season, and he may just start as a weapon for Maye. Adding another body provides insurance and stability; otherwise, the Patriots are relying on a largely inexperienced group. Jack Westover leads the group behind Henry in experience, entering his third season in the league and with the team. The 27-year-old was New England’s fullback in 2025, blocking out of the backfield, but has struggled blocking as an in-line Y-tight end. Westover is then followed by 2025 undrafted free agent C.J. Dippre, Raridon, and UDFA Tanner Arkin from Illinois. At 6-foot-4 and 262 pounds, Arkin has the physical tools and power to assume that duty. That said, he hasn’t had the opportunity to showcase that ability in the NFL with pads on yet. During minicamp, Henry spoke on Arkin’s development in the spring, saying that the rookie has been taking advantage of his opportunities and is someone who’s continued to improve. Vrabel also spoke similarly of Raridon at the time. “Willing, conscientious, wants to learn,” Vrabel said at minicamp of Raridon’s progress. “I think there [... truncated ...]
general
UDFA Tanner Arkin eyes opportunity in Patriots tight end room
Yahoo Sports NFLSource ↗
Following the season-ending injury suffered by tight end Julian Hill , the Patriots have an opening on their eventual 53-man roster at the position. While head coach Mike Vrabel noted this spring the team will likely make an addition, options remain on the current roster behind Hunter Henry . Among them is undrafted free agent Tanner Arkin. “I think my mindset right now is to do everything I can, really,” Arkin said last Friday at Newton North High School following the team’s rookie football clinic. “I mean, I’m an undrafted rookie. I’ve been given a great opportunity, and I really just need to maximize it and show the team and the organization what I’m about. That’s my plan going forward.” Arkin profiles as a potential replacement for Hill due to his physicality and blocking ability. While he did not get to showcase that aspect of his game in non-padded spring practices, the Illinois product believes his skillset fits well in Josh McDaniels’ offense. “I do, definitely,” Arkin said. “I think we use a lot of different personnel [groupings] — fullback, multiple tight end sets — and just the history of Coach McDaniels and how he’s used the tight end position. I think it’s a great fit, and I love playing for him and for the team. It’s been great so far.” After conversations with New England , Arkin identified the Patriots as a strong landing spot after going undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft. He joins a depth chart that features Henry, third-round pick Eli Raridon, and fellow depth options Jack Westover and C.J. Dippre. With training camp approaching, Arkin will have a legitimate opportunity to carve out a role in a room searching for answers behind Henry and next to Raridon. As he learns the offense and adjusts to life in the NFL, the rookie has leaned on the veteran leadership around him. “I think coming off of last year, there’s a lot of momentum and a lot of camaraderie on the offense,” he said. “Although there’s a lot of new faces, everybody seems really tight and everybody’s welcoming. There’s a bunch of great leaders on the offense, starting with Drake [ Maye ] and down the room to Hunter and the tight end room. “There’s just a lot of guys that have played a lot of football, and it seems like they know what’s going on. They lead by example, they set the tempo on the field, and as a rookie, I’m just trying to learn from them.”
general
New England Patriots address tight end position
The Patriots are looking to add veteran depth at tight end following the season-ending loss of Julian Hill. Hunter Henry is entering the final year of his contract, and rookie Eli Raridon is an unknown quantity. Potential free-agent targets include Pharaoh Brown and Will Dissly, while Colby Parkinson and Tyler Higbee could be trade targets. The team also needs to consider developmental players like C.J. Dippre, Tanner Arkin, and Peter Manuma for roster spots
general
Mike Vrabel hints at Patriots adding more tight end depth
Yahoo Sports NFLSource ↗
It’s been over a week since New England Patriots tight end Julian Hill was placed on season-ending injured reserve just months after signing a three-year deal with the Patriots to pair up with veteran Hunter Henry . Now, New England may need to address the tight end room as the offseason continues, adding another body to the mix. “I think just from a numbers standpoint in camp, I think that’s somewhere we’ll probably have to evaluate the numbers,” head coach Mike Vrabel said before Wednesday’s mandatory minicamp practice . “There’s 90 guys, 91 guys on every team. So, we’ll just have to take a look at that, but I would say that’s probably somewhere where we would have to address.” However, a thin group of free agents remains at the position, including former Patriots tight end Jonnu Smith and recovering veterans Taysom Hill and Zach Ertz . Otherwise, New England would be picking from an already poached undrafted free agent class. Currently, the Patriots have just five rostered tight ends : Henry, hybrid tight end and fullback Jack Westover, who primarily played in the backfield last season, rookie Eli Raridon, 2025 undrafted free agent CJ Dippre and undrafted free agent Tanner Arkin, from Illinois. New England spent a third-round pick in the NFL Draft this offseason to select Raridon. At Notre Dame, the 22-year-old has 48 career receptions for the Fighting Irish, with 32 coming his senior season. Raridon could take on a larger role quickly this offseason to help replace Hill’s role in 2026. “Willing, conscientious, wants to learn,” Vrabel said of Raridon’s progress. “I think there’s a lot of new things that come in from college, and terminology is different, and there’s a lot of things that are new to him, but I would say that he picks things up quickly. When he’s able to play with the speed that he has available to him, that’s kind of shown up.” “With a lot of these young guys, just the terminology, the routes, the coverage, just try to eliminate [the thinking] and allow them to play as fast as possible. In the spring, it’s like, ‘Hey, let’s try to play out of control. Let’s play too fast.’ If you make a mistake, that’s fine, but we’ve got to start training that play speed.” Raridon largely spent his first two years at Notre Dame on the sidelines, nursing two right knee injuries, and had previously torn the same ACL twice. Still, he’s an intriguing prospect for the Patriots due to his ability to be a consistent pass-catcher for quarterback Drake Maye and be a vertical threat. “Eli’s doing a good job,” Hunter Henry said on Tuesday. “I know it’s a lot coming in the league, trying to blend in with older guys, younger guys. The pressure of it, obviously getting drafted. A lot of us have been through it, and I’ve been through it myself. He’s been a sponge, trying to soak up as much as he can in the room, asking questions. He’s getting better day by day, and I’m excited to continue to work with him.” Henry also mentioned Arkin as a young player who’s trying to learn and make the most of his opportunities. “Tanner’s been great,” Henry said. “When he gets his opportunities, he’s taking advantage of it. That’s all you can ask for as a young guy. He’s continued to get better. It’s the same thing: as a rookie, as a young guy, you kind of have to be a sponge, trying to soak up as much as you can, trying to ask questions when you can. But just try to watch and follow and learn as much as you can from just us in the room, [and] some of the other positions.”
analyst
Is Hunter Henry Primed for a Career Year?
New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry has turned in TE1 fantasy finishes in each of the past two seasons and in four of the last seven years, and he heads into 2026 with a locked-in role in a still uptrending offense. The Patriots finished 2025 as the league's number one offense in terms of both total EPA and EPA per play in what was only the first season of quarterback Drake Maye and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels working together. By most accounts, Maye is already miles ahead of where he was at this point last season. While new wide receiver A.J. Brown is certain to draw targets, he also has the ability to elevate the offense as a whole and create more red zone opportunities for Henry. The Patriots replaced Austin Hooper with Julian Hill, but the latter is already lost for the season with a knee injury, and while the team spent a third-round pick on Notre Dame's Eli Raridon, he's still a somewhat raw prospect who could take time to develop in McDaniels' famously complex system. While he will turn 32 this season, Henry is arguably in the best situation of his 11-year career, and at RotoBaller's dynasty TE25, he's an obvious trade target for contending managers
general
Patriots links 6/05/26: Is Pats defense top 10?
TEAM TALK Community: Drake Maye participates in the 27th Annual Best Buddies Challenge. (1 min. video) Patriots Unfiltered: OTA takeaways, mandatory minicamp preview , NFL news. (2 hours) LOCAL LINKS Chad Finn says the A.J. Brown trade comes with risk, but unlike other teams in town, the Patriots are doing everything they can to win . Mark Morse ’s Patriots Notebook: OTA practice updates, Gonzalez contract talks, remembering Patriots legend Raymond Berry. Ethan Hurwitz ’ Patriots 2026 WR Preview: It all comes down to A.J. Brown. Ethan Hurwitz discusses how OTAs changed the Patriots’ guard depth chart , and whose stock is rising. Justin Leger hears from Eagles analyst Barrett Brooks on what A.J. Brown brings to the Pats. Mark Daniels spotlights DT Cory Durden who went from practice squad to Super Bowl starter: The sky’s the limit. Dakota Randall ’s Patriots Rumors: Why Gabe Jacas hasn’t been at OTAs. Mike Reiss recently indicated that an injury likely is to blame. “There currently isn’t any reason to believe that Jacas and the Patriots won’t work out a deal. And Reiss indicated Jacas will be back soon, so the injury doesn’t sound serious.” Ethan Hurwitz takes a look at who the Pats will use to fill TE Julian Hill’s role . Khari Thompson relays NFL insider Ian Rapoport who says there’s a ‘good chance’ the Patriots will sign Christian Gonzalez to a huge contract extension. “I imagine that he’s going to get a huge deal. I imagine that the Patriots will make it work, I just don’t know that it’s going to be imminent.” /We’re all insiders then . Meghan Ottolini makes the case the Patriots must take care of Christian Gonzalez . Sara Marshall explains why the Patriots should get a pat on the back for taking their trade offer off the table for Brandon Aiyuk . 98.5 The Sports Hub tells us the Patriots’ preseason finale at the Browns on August 27 has been moved to a national broadcast on Prime Video. Patriots Daily podcast: Taylor Kyles and Mike Kadlick discuss the current EDGE Rusher room and the need for improvement. What’s going on with rookie Gabe Jacas still not practicing yet? More. (11 min.) Patriots Daily podcast: Taylor Kyles and Mike Kadlick talk about the ongoing contract extension talks for Christian Gonzalez; Case for and against giving the star CB an extension. (16 min.) NATIONAL NEWS Matt Verderame (SI) What we learned during a crazy NFL week with trades, extensions and a retirement; Plus, news out of OTAs, too. Gilberto Manzano (SI) Ranking the NFL’s best defensive triplets from 32–1 for 2026. Patriots 6th – Milton Williams, Robert Spillane , Christian Gonzalez. Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (USA Today) Ranking every NFL defense from best to worst for 2026. Patriots 13th. “Last year’s fourth-ranked scoring defense was somewhat of an illusion… blah, blah, blah.” Gary Davenport (Bleacher Report) Power ranking the 10 best defenses after the Myles Garrett trade. Patriots 6th. Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (USA Today) Ranking best defensive players over 30. Kevin Byard 10th. Nate Tice (Yahoo! Sports) Top schematic trend to watch in 2026 NFL season: Will the game speed up or continue to slow down? Brad Gagnon (Bleacher Report) How NFL offseason’s biggest moves could backfire in 2026. Patriots-A.J. Brown included. “Don’t be surprised if the Patriots have moved on by 2028 but are left without a first-round pick anyway.” Aaron Schatz (ESPN) Worst to first: Ranking NFL’s most likely turnarounds in 2026. Jets 6th out of 8. Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) New GM Jon-Eric Sullivan: Dolphins are 100% not mailing it in this year. Paul Kasabian (Bleacher Report) Russell Wilson announces NFL retirement in video. Stephen A. Smith (ESPN) Russell Wilson is ‘absolutely’ a Hall of Famer. /Nah … John Lund (Barrett Media) NFL proved once again it doesn’t need games to control American attention
general
What Julian Hill’s season-ending injury means for the Patriots
Yahoo Sports NFLSource ↗
The New England Patriots' tight end depth chart is being tested after Julian Hill's season-ending injury
general
Patriots lose $15 million free agent signing Julian Hill for season: ‘Devastating’
Yahoo Sports NFLSource ↗
Two days after trading for AJ Brown , the New England Patriots could be looking for another pass catcher. The Patriots placed tight end Julian Hill on injured reserve on Monday after a knee injury in a voluntary offseason practice knocked the former Miami Dolphin out for the year. “Julian won’t be able to play this season, plain and simple. Devastating. Awful. I really enjoyed the person and want to have him around here as much as we possibly can. He won’t be able to play this season,” Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said. Hill joined New England in March, signing a three-year, $15 million deal. “That’s just disappointing because of the impact he made in a short amount of time with his teammates, the person that he is, the way he practiced,” Vrabel said. “We want Julian to be a part of us as much as possible, but he’s not going to do that on the field this year.” The tight end spent the last three seasons with the Dolphins after making the team as an undrafted free agent in 2023. In 45 games played, Hill recorded 288 yards on 33 receptions. Hill was brought to New England to fill Austin Hooper ’s role as Hunter Henry ’s backup. Hooper, who left on a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons , had 21 receptions for 263 yards last season. If the Patriots can’t replace Hill, they will have to lean more on the nine-year veteran Henry. The former Arkansas Razorback played in every regular-season game in 2025 and put up 768 yards and seven touchdowns. Henry joined the Patriots in 2021 after spending four years with the Los Angeles Chargers . His 5,295 career yards ranked fifth amongst active tight ends. Hill’s injury also means a larger role for Notre Dame rookie tight end Eli Raridon. The third-round draft choice had 32 receptions for 623 yards and three touchdowns in last season for the Irish. Raridon has had injury problems himself, already suffering two ACL tears
Data comes from cached Sleeper and KTC snapshots. Values update when the sync jobs run.