After a season-ending injury to tight end Julian Hill during a practice earlier this offseason, the New England Patriots became suddenly thin at the position without the new free-agent signing’s presence as a blocker.
So much so that head coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged that’s a spot the team may need to bolster.
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“I think just from a numbers standpoint in camp, I think that’s somewhere we’ll probably have to evaluate the numbers,” Vrabel said during mandatory minicamp. “There are 90 guys, 91 guys on every team. So, we’ll just have to take a look at that, but I would say that’s probably somewhere we would have to address.”
Minicamp ended on June 11, and with training camp now three weeks away, no move has been made yet.
Some remaining free agents that fit Hill’s archetype are Will Dissly, Nick Vannett and Pharaoh Brown, who spent the 2023 season with the Patriots as a late-summer addition.
Nonetheless, there’s a glaring need for reinforcement.
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Julian Hill’s vacancy
Hill was brought in following the Austin Hooper departure to the Atlanta Falcons. Hooper was a short-to-intermediate receiving threat behind veteran Hunter Henry and was also a competent blocker.
The 25-year-old Hill has the tools to fill a similar kind of role. He offers reliable blocking at the position, and Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf also showed confidence in him as a receiver.
“Really kind of improved each year that he’s been in it,” Wolf said earlier this offseason. “And you know, we think there’s probably still some meat on the bone in the passing game as well for him, but certainly a physical tough guy at the point of attack.”
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But now, without Hill, New England may not have an immediate replacement available on its current roster.
Eli Raridon’s development
As of now, third-round NFL Draft selection Eli Raridon is the closest option to that versatile role; however, as a developmental prospect, he may need time to grow into it.
Raridon struggled to find consistent playing time during his first two seasons at Notre Dame, nursing two torn ACLs on the same knee. It wasn’t until his senior season in 2025 that he found his footing, catching 32 passes for 482 yards.
The rookie’s combination of size and athleticism is what makes Raridon such an intriguing tight end. At 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds with a 36-inch vertical leap, he has the traits to become a vertical threat up the seam and a reliable red-zone target for quarterback Drake Maye.
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Because of his natural ability as a pass catcher, it’s easy to envision Maye connecting with Raridon throughout 2026.
Still, he’ll need to make considerable improvements as a blocker to prove he can assume a role similar to what Hill would’ve provided. Raridon is a willing blocker but needs to further develop his play strength and refine his technique.
It’s not guaranteed that Raridon progresses enough to reliably fill a hybrid role as a blocker and receiver by the beginning of the season, and he may just start as a weapon for Maye. Adding another body provides insurance and stability; otherwise, the Patriots are relying on a largely inexperienced group.
Inexperienced depth
Jack Westover leads the group behind Henry in experience, entering his third season in the league and with the team. The 27-year-old was New England’s fullback in 2025, blocking out of the backfield, but has struggled blocking as an in-line Y-tight end.
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Westover is then followed by 2025 undrafted free agent C.J. Dippre, Raridon, and UDFA Tanner Arkin from Illinois. At 6-foot-4 and 262 pounds, Arkin has the physical tools and power to assume that duty. That said, he hasn’t had the opportunity to showcase that ability in the NFL with pads on yet.
During minicamp, Henry spoke on Arkin’s development in the spring, saying that the rookie has been taking advantage of his opportunities and is someone who’s continued to improve. Vrabel also spoke similarly of Raridon at the time.
“Willing, conscientious, wants to learn,” Vrabel said at minicamp of Raridon’s progress. “I think there are a lot of new things that come in from college, and terminology is different, and there are a lot of things that are new to him, but I would say that he picks things up quickly. When he’s able to play with the speed that he has available to him, that’s kind of shown up.”
That said, the depth remains unproven, and it’s uncertain where the group’s development will stand by the start of next season. If the Patriots don’t add a signing before training camp, they may be waiting until roster cutdowns in late August to find a candidate they like who’s not currently available.
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