After initially projecting a 4-to-6-week recovery, Adam Schefter has updated the timeline for A.J. Brown to 6-to-8 weeks. While Schefter noted there is optimism Brown could return on the faster end of that window, he stopped short of making any definitive guarantees.
In Brown’s absence, the passing game will continue to funnel through Romeo Doubs, Hunter Henry, and Mack Hollins. Hunter Henry presently leads the team with an 80% snap share, but it’s Doubs pacing the offense with 50 routes run on the year. That usage gives Doubs solid medium upside, even within a below-average passing attack that generates just 34.5 attempts per game (ranking 17th in the NFL).
New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry could be the ...
New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry finally seemed ...
New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry belongs on the ...
The deal has a base value of $16 million but may be worth up to $20 million, per Adam Schefter. It includes a $4.2 million signing bonus and $14.5 million in bonuses and guarantees, which makes it effectively a one-year deal.
Drake Maye‘s emergence unlocked a 2025 career year for Hunter Henry, propelling the veteran to a TE9 finish on 60 receptions, 768 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns. Under contract in New England through 2028, Henry provides a bankable floor backed by 13 top-12 PPR fantasy football weeks over the past two seasons. Draft Henry with confidence as a low-end TE2 offering solid production, particularly in tight end premium formats.
Brown complimented Raridon’s long speed, athleticism and acceleration, while noting that he has “pretty good ball skills.” Brown also believes that there is “so much more to kind of be captured from his college tape.”
Raridon has been a dynasty riser in rookie drafts, and the Patriots recently placed TE Julian Hill (knee) on season-ending IR. Hill’s injury opens the door for Raridon to immediately compete for the TE2 role this season and potentially contribute to the Patriots’ offense down the stretch. He is the type of rookie who transitions from dynasty darling to home league sleeper as the summer goes along.
The New England Patriots just secured their future TE in Eli Raridon at No. 95, a 6-foot-7 giant of a man who pairs a 4.58-second 40-yard dash with a massive 110.2 Speed Score (91st-percentile) that makes him a potential mismatch in the seam. Raridon boasts a 95th-percentile Catch Radius and a 37-inch vertical (9.89 Relative Athletic Score), helping to alleviate concerns of his collegiate injury history.
In dynasty formats, Raridon becomes a late-round stash, where his massive frame and a future path to targets from QB Drake Maye in New England makes him an interesting player to take a flier on in rookie drafts.
Hunter Henry finished with 31 receiving yards on three receptions in Super Bowl LX as the New England Patriots’ offense could not get into a rhythm and were stifled by a superior Seahawks team.
Matchups against the tight end seemed to be the Seahawks’ weakness, but the team had the Patriots in a blender from the opening kickoff. Hunter Henry will be back with the Patriots next season and, without adding any pass-catching talent, could be in line for a similar stat line to 2025. Having a FastDraft ADP of 139 and an Underdog ADP of 143, Henry provides a safe floor with a potentially high ceiling if you’re a drafter who fancies punting the tight end position until later in your draft.
Author: Dane Madoche (@FF_DaMaddog)
Hunter Henry finished the regular season recording 60 receptions, 768 yards and seven touchdowns and ranked ninth among tight ends on the year. In three postseason games has a stat line of 6 catches for 81 yards and a touchdown.
Defending the tight end has been the one soft spot for a stingy Seahawks defense, which finished 27th in yards allowed per game to tight ends and allowed over six receptions per game. While the Patriots have players like Diggs, Boutte, and Douglas with big-play ability, it would be a wise game plan to exploit the softness in the middle of the field with Hunter Henry, who was second on the Patriots in receptions behind Stefon Diggs.
Author: Dane Madoche (@FF_DaMaddog)
