NFL Draft 2026: TE Medical Report - Dallen Bentley, Matthew Hibner, Eli Raridon
Fast running TE's who could provide insurance for LaPorta
As seen in my Detroit Lions Offensive Draft Needs article, the TE position is one of the higher needs on the team given the disc surgery to Sam LaPorta as well as the lack of any players signed beyond 2026.
Here are three TE’s projected to go in the mid-late rounds who would help provide insurance at that position. All ran well at the NFL combine.
For more player analyses, check out my complete NFL 2026 Draft Prospect Medical Reports.
Medical concern level ranges from 0 (no concern) to 5 (might be worth the risk if the reward is high) to 10 (take him off your board, Brad).
(Ages in parentheses are at start of 2026 season and are factored into the concern level. Injury info and ages based on available public information and are unverified - subject to update. Games played data courtesy of sports-reference.com.)
Quick summary of medical concern levels
Dallen Bentley, TE (25): remote tib/fib, hamstring, age - 4/10
Matthew Hibner, TE (24): reliable, age - 2/10
Eli Raridon, TE (22): 2x ACL tears but reliable since - 5/10
Dallen Bentley, TE (25) - Utah
Projected round 4-5. Ran 4.62 40 at combine. Matt Miller’s #181 overall player.
Concern level 4/10
2025: 13/13 games
2024: 12/14 games
2023: 7/14 games. Limited by hamstring.
HS: Tib/fib fracture
Lions’ fans are all too familiar with tib/fib fractures after Aidan Hutchinson’s in 2024. The good news is that bones generally heal very well with minimal to no residuals. The final two seasons in college appear to have been healthy for Bentley.
The biggest concern is his advanced age which is explained by an LDS mission.
Bentley finished college with 51 receptions for 640 yards.
Matthew Hibner, TE (24) - SMU
Projected round 4-7. Ran 4.57 40 at combine. Matt Miller’s #231 overall player.
Concern level 2/10
2025: 13/13 games. Undisclosed minor injury, missed no games.
2024: 14/14 games
2023: 7/15 games
2022: 13/14 games
2021: 8/14 games
Wolverine fans might remember he played his first three years at Michigan. There are no reports of significant injuries for Hibner who was perfectly available in his final two seasons. Only his slightly older age bumps the concern level up.
Hibner compiled 57 receptions for 819 yards in college.
Eli Raridon, TE (22) - Notre Dame
Projected round 4-5 . Ran 4.62 40 at combine. Matt Miller’s #137 overall player.
Concern level 5/10
2025: 12/12 games
2024: 16/16 games
2023: 7/13 games. Missed first 6 games still recovering from ACL.
2022: 5/13 games. Two ACL tears in 10 months.
ACL’s usually don’t carry much if any long-term concern, but having two ACL tears raises concern for a predisposition to the injury. Raridon has shown perfect availability in his final two seasons which is reassuring.
He finished with 48 receptions for 623 yards in college.
For more mid-late round TE options…