ELI RARIDON
Scout's Take
Eli Raridon is a "freakish" vertical mismatch who possesses the rare combination of a 6'7" frame and elite athletic agility. A former 4-star recruit, Raridon emerged as a focal point of the Notre Dame offense in 2025, recording 482 yards and several 40+ yard catches. He is a "basketball-style" leaper who can climb over any defender to snag passes at their highest point. From a fantasy perspective, he is a "seam-busting" threat who creates schematic stress for linebackers and safeties alike. His background as an All-State basketball player is evident in his fluid hips and ability to "box out" in the red zone. However, his draft stock will be heavily tied to his medical evaluation after multiple knee injuries early in his career. While he possesses "pro-ready" size, he still needs to improve his in-line blocking leverage to become a true three-down tight end. Like Darren Waller, he is a "jumbo receiver" whose vertical speed and radius make him a high-upside project for NFL teams.
Strengths
- Prototypical 6'7 frame
- Basketball-based leaping
- High-speed vertical seam threat
Areas to Improve
- Injury history/Medical check
- In-line leverage