Home / Sports / Rookie TD! Patriots' Eli Raridon Scores First Touchdown
Rookie TD! Patriots' Eli Raridon Scores First Touchdown
10 Sep
Summary
- Rookie tight end Eli Raridon scored the first touchdown of the Patriots' 2026 season.
- Raridon's first career NFL reception was a 2-yard touchdown pass from Drake Maye.
- The 22-year-old tight end was a third-round pick from Notre Dame.
The New England Patriots' 2026 season kicked off with a touchdown from a promising rookie. Tight end Eli Raridon, a third-round draft pick, secured the game's first score with a 2-yard reception from quarterback Drake Maye. This marked Raridon's inaugural regular-season catch and touchdown in the NFL, occurring with 9:11 left in the second quarter. The play concluded a 77-yard drive and gave the Patriots an early lead over the Seattle Seahawks.
Raridon, 22, was selected 95th overall from Notre Dame. Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 245 pounds, he brings a combination of size and receiving talent to the Patriots' offense. During his collegiate career, Raridon recorded 48 receptions for 623 yards and three touchdowns, demonstrating significant potential with an average of 15.1 yards per reception in his final season.
His journey to the NFL was not without adversity, having overcome two ACL tears. Despite these setbacks, Raridon developed into a top tight end at Notre Dame. The Raridon family has a notable football lineage, with his father and grandfather also playing college football and reaching the professional level. His athletic background, including achievements in basketball, contributed to the Patriots' belief in his potential as a dynamic target for Drake Maye.
