TE · NE
general
Patriots scouting report: Eli Raridon has all-around tight end potential
Previewing the Patriots tight end heading into his first NFL season
Eli Raridon
TE · NE · 22 yrs · exp 0 · Notre Dame
Status
- Game status
- Active
Keep Trade Cut (SF TEP)
From latest snapshot · trend vs ~7d prior when data allows.
Value
2,460
Rank
#231
Pos rank
#39
7d trend
+4.9% (7d vs prior)
Value history (90d)
One snapshot point per calendar day (shown in your timezone).
Latest: Jul 24, 2026 · 2,460
News
Stories linked to this player — newest first.
general
Patriots signing former Boston College tight end after workout, per report
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
Yahoo Sports NFLSource ↗
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
general
Numbers to Know: Can Eli Raridon buck Patriots' troubling TE trend?
Numbers to Know: Can Eli Raridon buck Patriots' troubling TE trend? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston Editor’s note: Patriots insider Phil Perry is sharing 26 numbers to know for 26 days leading up to Day 1 of training camp on July 25. Last week, we covered numbers 1 through 9 . Next up, 10 through 18: The Patriots in 2025 became just the third team in NFL history to win 10 more games than they had the previous season. The 2009 Dolphins fell back to 7-9. The 2000 Colts fell back to 10-6 and lost in the Wild Card Round. The Patriots, of course, will be looking to buck that trend and make another Super Bowl. Patriots second-round pick Gabe Jacas had 11 sacks last season at Illinois. The Patriots drafted him to help bolster their pass rush, but without a contract in the spring, he missed OTAs and mandatory minicamp. That left Harold Landry , Dre’Mont Jones and Elijah Ponder as the top edge defenders in attendance. The question is: how much of an impact can Jacas have in his rookie season, having missed as much time as he has? The Patriots watched 12 sacks walk out the door this offseason: K’Lavon Chaisson , Anfernee Jennings , Jaylinn Hawkins , and Jack Gibbens all parted for other teams a few months ago. Chaisson alone accounted for 7.5 of those sacks. The Patriots added Dre’Mont Jones in the offseason and drafted Gabe Jacas. But will they be able to eclipse their sack total from last season? There are only six in the NFL in 2025 with fewer sacks than New England . Pro Football Focus graded A.J. Brown as the No. 13 receiver in the NFL last season, tying his rookie season as his lowest grade. The Patriots traded a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth for Brown. They’re banking on a connection between Drake Maye and Brown providing the receiver a career resurgence. And given that Maye’s deep-ball accuracy and Brown’s explosive playmaking skill set seem to mesh, there’s a good chance New England’s big bet will pay off. But if Brown’s numbers continue to dip, parting with that 2028 first-rounder that now resides in Philly will feel like a painful misstep. The Patriots won an NFL-high 14 games last season. As we know, though, they eventually lost the Super Bowl. Of the previous 32 Super Bowl losers, 14 failed to make the playoffs the following year. Only one has returned to the Super Bowl: the 2018 Patriots, who beat the Rams a year after losing to the Eagles while Malcolm Butler watched from the sideline. That Patriots group had an aging core and won one final Lombardi Trophy. These 2026 Patriots have a young QB on the rise. We’ll see if they can do what the Tom Brady-led Patriots were able to do. This will be Josh McDaniels’ 15th season – non-consecutive! – as Patriots offensive coordinator. In 2025, his offense ranked second in points, third in yards, and scored at least 23 points in 15 regular-season games. That was the most in the NFL. McDaniels now has some new tools at his disposal this season, led by A.J. Brown. Oh, the possibilities… It’s been 16 years since the Patriots drafted Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, which is the last time they drafted a tight end who made meaningful NFL contributions. Just look at this list: Jaheim Bell , Devin Asiasi , Dalton Keene , Ryan Izzo , AJ Derby, and Lee Smith. But now the Patriots have rookie tight end Eli Raridon out of Notre Dame. What are the odds they’ve struck gold with their Golden Domer, and have a homegrown tight end to complement Hunter Henry ? After appearing in all 17 regular-season games in 2025, Hunter Henry ranked 17th in the NFL in receiving EPA. It’s a new stat which calculates how much value a receiver adds to his team’s chances of scoring on plays they’re targeted. Henry’s coming off his best season in terms of receiving yards and yards per reception. The question is, can Henry actually have a better 2026 as he continues to develop his connection with Drake Maye, and as he plays alongside A.J. Brown, who should be attracting all kinds of [... truncated ...]
analyst
Hunter Henry Still the Patriots TE1
New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry is still the team's unquestioned TE1 entering the 2026 season, even though the team added rookie Eli Raridon in April's draft, according to Evan Lazar of Patriots.com. Henry was below-average as a run-blocker last year, but he ranked seventh among TEs in receiving yards with a career-high 768 and had the second-most total EPA by a tight end at plus-72.4. The 31-year-old will once again be a trusted target for young quarterback Drake Maye as the two continue to develop strong chemistry. Raridon could be a possible successor to Henry and could have a big Year 1 role with New England, but as long as Henry is healthy, he'll be the Pats' top pass-catching TE. However, with the additions of receivers A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, Henry is looking at a lower volume ceiling and floor in his sixth year in New England. Henry has had at least 419 receiving yards in all 10 of his NFL campaigns and is a solid red-zone target for Maye, but fantasy managers should target him as a midrange TE2 this year instead of a surefire TE1
general
Patriots training camp preview: Drake Maye, Josh McDaniels looking to expand on 2025
Drake Maye enters his third season as the Patriots' franchise quarterback after leading the team to the Super Bowl last season. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and Maye aim to build on their success, with enhanced offensive support including new acquisitions A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs. Tommy DeVito is set as the primary backup
general
Patriots links 7/10/26: Demario Douglas, small dog with huge fight
TEAM TALK Patriots Unfiltered: Training camp competition , offseason topics, FIFA World Cup. (2 hours) LOCAL LINKS Phil Perry ’s Numbers to Know: Why Maye-Brown connection could be lethal, and more. /Interesting . Hector Longo focuses on 5-foot-8 speedster Demario Douglas , who will be battling for a roster spot in one of the NFL’s bigger wide receiver rooms. Khari Thompson ’s 2026 position preview: Running backs edition. Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson headline a group that finished sixth in the NFL in rushing yards per game last season. Bill Heyen explains why this year will be different for TreVeyon Henderson in the Pats’ RB room. Ethan Hurwitz mentions how using Pro Scout Insights is helping Drake Maye improve in 2026. Hector Longo spotlights kicker Andy Borregales , who enters Year 2 with no competition and a big kick behind him. Stephen Sheehan relays Zak Kuhr on Christian Barmore and what he needs from the Pats star DT. Sara Marshall discusses a recent prediction that sees safety Kevin Byard III regressing in 2026. “ He’s getting older. He has nowhere to go but down after leading the NFL in picks. He’s going to have to adjust to a new team… and there’s a player behind him on the depth chart who might … challenge him for snaps.” Sara Marshall picks up on TE Eli Raridon hype as an overlooked Patriots rookie who hit the NFLs radar. NESN looks at the Patriots offseason losses in 2026: Who Replaces Stefon Diggs , K’Lavon Chaisson and other key departures? Lauren Campbell relays Tom Brady on realizing how important Rob Gronkowski was. Khari Thompson highlights Mac Jones opening up about his tumultuous time with the Patriots. “Brian Hoyer was the backup … but we were like, this is not going to be good.” Sara Marshall is thankful Eliot Wolf never pulled the trigger on the rumored trade offer on the table for WR Brandon Aiyuk . Aiyuk’s uncertain future and recent social media shenanigans underline that non-move. Patriots Daily podcast: Taylor Kyles and Mike Kadlick discuss the AFC East landscape , who are the kings of the division, if Drake Maye closed the gap on Josh Allen , and more. (49 min.) NATIONAL NEWS NFL Nation (ESPN) AFC East: Can Bills, Jets or Dolphins unseat the Patriots? Video (ESPN) What to watch for in the AFC East ? (1 min. video) Jeremy Fowler (ESPN) Execs, coaches, scouts rank top NFL tight ends for 2026. No Pats. Matt Okada (NFL.com) 2026 NFL season’s most highly anticipated Week 1 debuts: Newly acquired players spice up all 16 games. Patriots included. Justin Melo (NFL Draft on SI) The most overlooked NFL Draft pick at every position group (And why they’ll be steals). TE Eli Rarido included. /Click for commentary . Bobby Kownack (NFL.com) AFC West training camp preview: Top storylines for Broncos, Chargers , Chiefs, Raiders. /Patriots play the AFC West this season
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
TE · NE
analyst
Eli Raridon - Candidate to contribute early
sleeper-rotowire+3 stories · 30dSource unavailable
Raridon will enter training camp with an opportunity to establish himself as a consistent contributor on offense behind No. 1 tight end Hunter Henry, Jordy McElroy of USA Today reports. The Patriots selected Raridon in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and Julian Hill (knee) going down to a season-ending injury after Austin Hooper signed with the Falcons creates a clear path to immediate playing time. At 6-foot-6, 245 pounds, the former Notre Dame standout possesses the athleticism, speed and catch radius to threaten defenses down the seam and provide Drake Maye with another receiving option. Raridon still needs refinement as a blocker, but a strong training camp could position him for a meaningful rookie-year role. Meanwhile, Henry is positioned to hit free agency in 2027
general
3-Point Stance: The Patriots need to make a move at tight end
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
Ranking the 25 most important Patriots for 2026: Nos. 25-21
Ranking the 25 most important Patriots for 2026: Nos. 25-21 originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston Editor’s note: Throughout the week, Phil Perry will share his rankings of the top 25 most important New England Patriots players for the 2026 season. Today, he kicks things off with Nos. 25 through 21. This year’s Patriots roster appears to be perhaps the most talented the team has had since it had the greatest quarterback of all time in its employ and was competing for Super Bowls on a regular basis. But who among the 91 players on this year’s roster are the most important? Not most talented. Not most likely to make a Pro Bowl. But most important ? In short, upon whom does this season ride? We know who the No. 1 player will be. But which of Drake Maye ’s teammates will fill out the remainder of the list? Let’s get to it, starting with the first five left out. We’ll then continue on in descending order: His speed is a real threat. And his ability to track the ball makes him more than a downfield decoy. But it’s a crowded receiver spot, and it may require an injury for Williams to be a weekly staple of this offense. Another wideout with plenty of physical talent, Douglas cracked the 20-snap mark in only five games last year out of 21 in the regular season and postseason combined. This year, the room is only more crowded. If he remains on the team, Boutte would likely deserve a spot inside the top 25 given his production with Drake Maye at quarterback a season ago. But it’s hard to envision the Patriots going into 2026 with all of these receivers remaining on their 53-man roster. Drafted in the third round this spring, it would come as little surprise if Raridon was able to work his way up to the No. 2 tight end role behind Hunter Henry . But he has some work to do before he’s the clear cut next in line behind the productive vet. Durden started six games for Mike Vrabel from Week 13 on. Along the interior of New England ’s defensive line, particularly on early downs, he’ll play a key role. The NFL is tight end obsessed at the moment because bigger and stronger offensive personnel packages can take advantage of smaller defenses that have built over time to stop explosive passes. As a fullback, Gilliam doesn’t provide a receiver skill set the way some tight ends do, but he can catch, and he’ll challenge opponents to make hard choices from a personnel standpoint thanks to his ability to steamroll opponents in the running game. Stack the box with linebackers to handle his strength? Drake Maye can throw over ’em. Stay light to prevent Maye from taking to the air? Josh McDaniels can make a call that allows Gilliam’s power at the point of attack to shine. The fullback position is slowly going extinct in the NFL. But in having one of the few who are proven, the Patriots will be a little harder to prepare for than most. Difficult choice here between Hollins and Kyle Williams. They are very different receivers, but I think both have an argument to be included on this list. Williams is a speed demon whose athleticism could cause problems for teams dead set on dedicating a safety over the top to A.J. Brown ’s side of the field. Can’t double everyone. And while Williams’ production as a rookie might not warrant that kind of attention just yet, his explosiveness on the outside means that all it takes is one completion to him to change a game. The reason we ultimately went with Hollins here is multifaceted. He was counted on a season ago to lead the receiver room in snaps (until his late-season injury) and make big catches on a consistent basis. His fellow Tar Heel, Maye, trusts him. But the size that makes Hollins a go-to target over the middle of the field also gives him the ability to be a functional blocker. He’s not a tight end, but at times he served almost in a tight end role: tight to the formation, digging out safeties in the running game. The Patriots are looking thin at the tight end spot after a season-ending injury [... truncated ...]
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
Patriots survey results: Fans prefer to keep Kayshon Boutte
A recent SB Nation Reacts survey indicates that a majority of New England Patriots fans would prefer to keep wide receiver Kayshon Boutte on the roster. Despite speculation about a potential trade due to the additions of A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, fans expressed a desire for Boutte to remain, with some suggesting he could be a valuable complementary piece or even outperform other receivers on the team. The survey results suggest a divide between fan sentiment and potential team decisions regarding Boutte's future
general
Mike Vrabel hints at Patriots adding more tight end depth
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.”
general
Patriots first-rounder Caleb Lomu officially signs rookie deal
Yahoo Sports NFLSource ↗
The New England Patriots have officially signed their first-round draft pick, offensive tackle Caleb Lomu, to a four-year rookie contract. Lomu, selected 28th overall, is expected to compete for playing time on the offensive line
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Patriots links 6/08/27: Revamped roster upgrades solid base
TEAM TALK Highlights: A little behind-the-scenes of Drake Maye’s media day shoot. (1 min. video) Patriots Team-building challenge: Save Pat Patriot. (1 min. video) Patriots celebrate National Donut Day with Dunkin’ Donuts. (37 sec. video) LOCAL LINKS Mike Reiss shares some quick-hit weekend thoughts: Similar motivations for A.J. Brown , Randy Moss; Mandatory minicamp, Drake Maye update, QB blending, Julian Hill effect, Eli Raridon, TreVeyon Henderson , Quotes; More. Steve Balestrieri ’s Sunday Patriots Notes: Roster overhaul, Gonzalez contract talks, Boutte trade rumors, and A.J. Brown’s impact on the offense. Doug Kyed ’s NFL Notes: Christian Gonzalez ’s contract looms over upcoming Patriots minicamp. Mike D’Abate reports Kayshon Boutte confirms he will attend Patriots minicamp after being atypically absent from OTAs. Bob George looks at what the Patriots really have in A.J. Brown , and the future of the wide receiver room. Karen Guregian serves up some leftover thoughts on A.J. Brown joining the Patriots. Mike Luciano says Jalen Hurts ’ OTA struggles highlight A.J. Brown’s value to the Patriots. Ethan Hurwitz projects the 53-man roster before minicamp. Graham Wilker posts a way-too-early 53-man roster projection that includes a few surprising omissions. Ethan Hurwitz resets the Patriots WR depth chart: How does A.J. Brown fit in? Ethan Hurwitz relays CB Marcellas Dial with an encouraging injury update after rehabbing a torn ACL last year. “I feel great. My knee doesn’t hurt, I don’t feel any pain whenever I’m doing anything.” Ethan Hurwitz explains why DT Joshua Farmer could end up being a surprise roster cut this summer. Sara Marshall believes there is a good chance that the Patriots will inquire about another blockbuster trade ahead of this year’s deadline. Patriots Daily podcast: Taylor Kyles and Mike Kadlick welcome the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Devin Jackson to to discuss the A.J. Brown trade . ‘Patriots won the trade for right now’ . (5 min. video) NATIONAL NEWS NFL Nation (ESPN) 2026 NFL minicamps: Teams, rookies, QBs we’re watching. Patriots: Minicamp begins June 9th. Does Christian Gonzalez show up? Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Josh McDaniels: Drake Maye knows a hell of a lot more than he did last year at this time. Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Will Campbell: I’m 22 years old, so I’m a long way from where I’m going to be. Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Kayshon Boutte says he will attend Patriots’ mandatory minicamp amid talk of a trade. Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) No, A.J. Brown did not say he “leaked” Eagles stories to the media. Jeremy Fowler , et al (ESPN) How June 1 turned into a blockbuster trade day in the NFL. Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Will June 1 trades become a new annual tentpole for the NFL? Albert Breer (SI) NFL Takeaways: How the A.J. Brown trade finally got done, The Browns’ future after Myles Garrett ; Plus, more on the Packers ’ WRs, Steelers ’ defense, Bears’ next stadium site and more. Bucky Brooks (NFL.com) Scout’s Notebook: Jared Goff is the NFL’s most underrated quarterback; is Justin Herbert overrated? Eva Geitheim (SI) The 10 oldest stadiums in the NFL. Xuan Thai (ESPN) Six years after Reche Caldwell murder, family fears the case has gone cold
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Patriots lose $15 million free agent signing Julian Hill for season: ‘Devastating’
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
general
Patriots place TE Julian Hill on IR
The Patriots have placed tight end Julian Hill on injured reserve, an undisclosed injury ending his season. This move opens up an opportunity for rookie Eli Raridon. Hill signed a three-year, $15 million contract in the offseason to replace Austin Hooper
general
Patriots place TE Julian Hill on IR
The Patriots placed tight end Julian Hill on injured reserve, an undisclosed injury that will keep him out for the season. This move opens up a larger opportunity for rookie Eli Raridon, and comes after the team acquired A.J. Brown. Hill signed a three-year, $15 million contract in the offseason and was expected to replace Austin Hooper
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