Clarity: New England Patriots’ Draft Pick Eli Raridon, Bust Concerns?

In this episode of Locked On Patriots, host Nick Cattles addresses concerns about New England Patriots' third-round draft pick, tight end Eli Raridon, dismissing 'boom or bust' narratives as overly dramatic. Cattles argues that Raridon's lack of production at Notre Dame—32 catches, 482 yards, no touchdowns—is not unusual for college tight ends, especially in a run-heavy offense like Notre Dame's, where top-tier running backs like Jeremiah Love and Jadarian Price dominated scoring. He compares Raridon's stats to other second- and third-round tight ends drafted in 2026, showing he's in line with peers. Cattles highlights Raridon’s blocking ability, versatility in personnel groupings, and potential fit in Josh McDaniels' offense, projecting him as a 7–8 year NFL contributor if healthy. The episode then shifts to concerns around veteran offensive lineman Mike Iwenu, whose absence from the first week of voluntary OTAs raised holdout fears. Cattles emphasizes Iwenu’s critical role in a thin interior line, especially with Jared Wilson’s injury history and limited depth at guard and center. He stresses that Iwenu’s contract year and past fitness issues could impact performance, making his buy-in and preparation vital. Finally, Cattles defends the Patriots’ fifth-round pick of cornerback Karan Prunty, noting that multiple NFL personnel executives viewed him as a day-three prospect, and that the pick may have been strategic to secure a priority free agent before the draft, avoiding competition and bonus costs. The episode concludes with a reminder to support the podcast through the Everydayer Club and social engagement. Key takeaways include: 1) Raridon’s college production is typical for tight ends in run-heavy systems, not a red flag; 2) His blocking versatility makes him a valuable asset in multiple offensive packages; 3) Iwenu’s health and preparation are crucial due to the Patriots’ lack of depth on the interior line; 4) Prunty’s pick was not a surprise to many NFL teams, reflecting a strategic move to secure a potential priority free agent; 5) The Patriots’ draft was effectively a three-player focus (Lomu, Akis, Raridon), with later picks serving as low-risk additions.