Final Report

Eli Raridon is the closest thing to the platonic ideal of a starting tight end that exists in this class. He's big, long, blocks in-line at a high level and never leaves the field, is a load against man coverage with suddenness, control, and size, has good feel for zones at all levels, and can win at the catch-point. The only knock on him as a prospect is having two ACL tears in the same knee, but he has been healthy for two full seasons now and seems to have gotten it permanently repaired. From a pass-catching perspective, don't let Raridon's raw volume fool you. TEs, even the good ones, often get a good chunk of their yardage through schemed-up detachment against PA. Notre Dame's offense doesn't really do that. An unusual percentage of his production came on true dropback plays where he must be a serious, assistance-free route-runner. Adjusting for that and how much they both ran the ball and left him in for pass protection, his 482 yards are pretty good. When you watch the games instead of the box, you can see how much more is on the table. As someone who can live at the true TE spot, the Y, he allows an offense to field three WR and a fourth legitimate pass-catcher without losing anything on the line of scrimmage in the run game with that essential 6th OL element the TE provides. That's a totally different value proposition than a TE who can catch, even if he does so a little better, with huge blocking limitations. It's like putting a QB in the flex spot for fantasy. He's got a great combination of linear speed (4.62) with flexibility in the hips and agility in the feet. This complete athletic profile makes him a plus across the route-tree and a difficult proposition for safeties in man coverage. In zones, he handles the typical TE menu of linear seam-stretching and underneath feel very well. As a blocker, his resume is tough to argue. While 245 at 6'6 is a tough lean, his length and tape against difficult opponents make that less of a worry. Notre Dame didn't shelter him at all, treating him like a 6th tackle in the run game. He was excellent, even 1v1 with guys like Reuben Bain. There's an every down starter in here if a team is wise enough to see the value

Recommended Position

TE

Round Grade

2nd

Player Comp

Todd Heap

Scheme Fits