2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Eli Raridon (TE – Notre Dame)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Notre Dame tight end Eli Raridon.

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Eli Raridon

Eli Raridon (TE – Notre Dame)

6-foot-7 | 252 Pounds

Background

Eli Raridon was a four-star recruit whose father, Scott Raridon, also played for the Irish. The younger Raridon played sparingly over the first three seasons of his collegiate career behind the likes of Michael Mayer and Mitchell Evans.

He caught 16 passes and three touchdowns over three years before taking over the starting role this past year. Ended the 2025 season with a 32-482-0 (15.1) line.

Positives

Massive tight end from one of the most highly-regarded programs at the position. Snaps were relatively evenly split between playing as more of a traditional in-line/H-Back type and lining up in the slot. Chippy blocker who makes the pads click on contact.

Gives a pretty good effort to line up opponents in space when stalking and does a nice job of maintaining his discipline. Can block down on the outside shoulder to seal opponents away from the play direction. Able to motion and crack backside pursuers, or also insert and climb up to the second level to deliver hits on linebackers.

Raridon was retained in pass protection a bit more often than usual this past season and held his own relatively well, with the type of length teams look for there. Quicker and more sudden than anticipated for a player of his size, with good flexibility that is evident both as a blocker and as a route-runner.

Puts a bit of snap on his routes at the stem, and works in some stutter-steps and head-fakes to try and freeze defenders. Caught six of his nine career contested catches, per Pro Football Focus (PFF), and has the type of frame to box out opponents.

Negatives

Integration into the passing game was sporadic in Raridon’s only season as a starter. Can lapse into delivering hits as a blocker, rather than using his hands/length to his advantage. Doesn’t always have the most consistent leg drive after engaging. Passing-game production came primarily on underneath throws.

Tends to go through his routes high, with any separation coming more from the window dressing. Dropped four career passes against 48 career catches. Didn’t catch a touchdown this season, so his red-zone value is more of a projection based on his frame than a reality at this point. A bit tentative after the catch, without as much power as you’d expect when finishing his runs.

Summary

A relatively versatile tight end with a massive frame and better quickness/flexibility than anticipated given his size, but who still has to improve some aspects of his blocking technique. Wasn’t worked into his team’s passing game with the most consistency.

While Raridon’s tools are better than many of his peers in the class, he isn’t as much of a proven commodity, so teams may have somewhat varied grades on him. Still, in a relatively weak tight end class, look for him to get some mid-round consideration as a developmental in-line player with upside.

Projection: Round 4/Round 5