Patriots executive gives clear statement on upcoming Draft plans

The Madness of March takes a break and allows us to take a breather from college hoops for a little while. The NFL offseason started with a bang, and there are still plenty of headlines to be made until the Draft next month.

New era in new England

One of those teams that will be looking to turn things around next year are the New England Patriots. After a couple of seasons at the bottom of the NFL barrel, there is a change of regime in Foxborough. Former Patriots legendary linebacker Mike Vrable is the new boss on the sideline, and they have a second year quarterback that might just be the one who finally brings some stability at the QB position.

Last spring the Patriots had the third pick in the NFL Draft and took Drake Maye as the third quarterback selected in the top three selections. Maye went to a team that was far from being competitive, but showed flashes of brilliance once he was given the keys to the car at Gillette Stadium.

Last year New England was more interested in filling holes in their roster during the draft. Their biggest one was at quarterback. They drafted Ja’Lynn Polk at WR, a couple of offensive lineman, and a cornerback. Those were positions in which the Pats were needed a boost, so they had players in mind to try to plug those holes.

Best available for Pats in Draft

This year, the Pats strategy is difference according to executive president of slyer personnel, Eliot Wolf. Speaking to season ticket holders on Sunday, he revealed the game play for the selection show, saying they aren’t going after positions. They are going after talent.

“No, we don’t (feel compelled to draft for need). The best player available is going to be the way it is,” he said. “Maybe we went for need a little bit too much last year. Obviously that culminated in us drafting Drake Maye, so it wasn’t all bad… Moving forward, it’s taking the best player, and understanding that we’ve filled a lot of needs already in free agency."

The Pats brought in big money defenders Milton Williams and Carlton Davis this offseason, but lost their left guard Cam Robinson who went to Houston last week. That could be something to think about once Draft Day comes on April 24th.

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