Eli Raridon makes plays in all phases of the game with elite size and an understanding of how to attack zone coverage. Given his extensive injury history, he is more of a project player than a proven prospect. This article will highlight Eli Raridon and his 2026 NFL Draft Profile.
2026 NFL Draft Profile of Notre Dame TE Eli Raridon
Measurables
- Height: 6’ 7”
- Weight: 250 lbs
Player Background
As a four-star recruit out of Valley High School, Eli Raridon fell within the top-60 recruits overall and was considered the second-best tight end in the country. He committed to Notre Dame during the 2022 recruiting cycle, despite receiving offers from Florida State, Iowa, and Missouri. Unfortunately for Raridon, he suffered two ACL tears in the span of ten months. The first tear was during his senior year of high school basketball. The second was just five games into his true freshman season.
After a long road to recovery, Raridon appeared in all 16 games for a Fighting Irish team that fell one win short of a National Championship in 2024. Eight of his eleven catches went for either touchdowns or first downs. The Notre Dame offense was run-heavy in 2025, but that didn’t stop Raridon from posting career-high numbers. His 482 total yards, 32 receptions, and 70.8 receiving grade were all the best of his career.
Accolades
- Elite All-Iowa Team (2021)
- Second Team All-State Basketball (2021)
Best Tools
Eli Raridon‘s exceptional frame gives him plenty of advantages on the football field. In limited contested catch opportunities, he caught four of five catchable throws. This gives Raridon an advantage both in the red zone and when working down the field. He understands how to box out defenders or utilize his long arms to haul in passes away from his body. His size is simply too much to handle against man coverage and is the perfect mismatch piece to move around the line of scrimmage.
Raridon is much more than just a big-frame, he is a smart player who understands how to attack and win against zone coverage. He quickly identifies soft spots in the coverage, throttles down in them, and gains additional yardage after the catch. Raridon will be an immediate weapon down the seam. He uses long strides and adequate speed to stack and separate against linebackers.
Tools to Improve
Although Raridon can be considered an average blocker, he still needs refinement in that aspect of his game. For a player of his size, Raridon has his fair share of struggles blocking defensive ends. Power rushers get into his chest with ease and knock him back consistently. He has the long arms to prevent this from happening, but struggles to get his hands on the defender quickly.
Raridon isn’t established in the passing game just yet. His nuances as a receiver need refinement, specifically at the line of scrimmage. When facing press coverage, he struggles with early contact and doesn’t have the release package to generate quick separation. As a route runner, Raridon isn’t fluid or explosive. He struggles to get in and out of breaks and doesn’t adjust his tempo throughout the route.
NFL Projection
Assuming organizations are comfortable with his medicals, Eli Raridon is an early-day three selection in this draft class. He can contribute to all phases of offense and projects better than what he brings to the table now. Raridon has the tools and the size to become one of the best blocking tight ends in the National Football League. Teams that deploy multiple tight ends in a vertical offense would be the best fit for him. They can disguise him as a blocker before slipping out underneath as a receiver. In the right offense, Eli Raridon could be an impact player as soon as next season.
Main Photo: [Michael Caterina] – Imagn Images
