Notre Dame rookie pushing newly-extended Hunter Henry in Patriots training camp

Tight end Hunter Henry recently signed a two-year contract extension with the New England Patriots worth $20 million. It signaled that the Patriots continue to view him as a valuable piece, especially after he helped them reach the Super Bowl last season.

Henry is putting in the work in training camp, aiming to improve his connection with quarterback Drake Maye. But it looks like he is having stiff competition with tight end Eli Raridon, whom the Patriots drafted with the No. 95 pick in April. At least based on what has transpired in training camp.

According to the Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan, the 31-year-old Henry has seen fewer first-team snaps than the 22-year-old Raridon.

“What gives? Raridon’s simply become a more consistent and trusted target for both quarterbacks. (Tommy) DeVito found him for a two-point conversion on Tuesday, one day after Maye targeted him twice in a two-minute drill,” observed Callahan.

“More specifically, Raridon is winning more decisively at the top of his routes and creating enough separation to pull away, which helps immensely as a long strider who can win short but primarily threatens defenses at the intermediate level.”

It is also highly probable that coach Mike Vrabel is simply boosting Raridon’s confidence and trying to assimilate him more with the system since Henry is already quite familiar with it. Henry is in his sixth season with the Patriots.

But that does not mean Raridon, who had a standout career at Notre Dame, has no chance to take the starting job from Henry. Training camp is the perfect space for the third-rounder to show that he can be an instant contributor.

“How Raridon handles more physical coverage bears watching moving forward,” added Callahan.

The Patriots will open their preseason schedule on Thursday against the Indianapolis Colts.

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