Grade the Patriots Draft: Instant Reaction

[The Gr8est]

A.

Through the whole process (FA and Draft) they've had a plan and have executed it very well. They couldn't get every FA they wanted but it was because they didn't want to come here essentially.

This is the first draft in a very long time where i feel very confident on the type of player they took and also where they took them. They still need to get on the field and actually live up to their grades but thats the same every year.

We have professionals running the team now.

And I hope that now it should be apparent what was wrong with the previous drafts, the people responsible will be removed from the process.

Wolf made a damning admission that he didn’t have a handle on the UDFA process.

 

[manxman2601]

They had nowhere to go but up lol.

True, but they didn't just climb a hill, they scaled Everest.

 

[RobertWeathers]

True, but they didn't just climb a hill, they scaled Everest.

Agree completely. They add some serious talent (football producers, athletes, and character guys)

Typically the 1st draft of a new regime is spotty and erratic but not this one.

 

[jdlboot14]

Wow, Wolf's admission in his post-draft interview is shocking.
He said (~3min into video) that last year was not organized enough in the draft process, and that Cowden and "Stretch" helped him plan and organize it. That says alot...
Both about the chaos of last year - maybe some of the bad value in last years draft... and the team nature of this years work.
However it happened, they nailed it! And UDFA deals look more impressive than ever.

 

[State]

Day Two of the draft was simply spectacular for the Patriots. Eliot Wolf earned himself a long-term job.

 

[manxman2601]

Agree completely. They add some serious talent (football producers, athletes, and character guys)

Typically the 1st draft of a new regime is spotty and erratic but not this one.

Taylor Kyles called it a foundational draft. That is certainly true if you include the off-season as a whole.

 

[maust]

Thank you. normally after a draft I feel pretty spent for a few months and don't even want to think about next years, but I'm already looking forward to next year and the draft forum camaraderie.

God bless you Brother but me... I'm gonna need a minute or two. You go on ahead, I'll catch up at some point

 

[manxman2601]

God bless you Brother but me... I'm gonna need a minute or two. You go on ahead, I'll catch up at some point

I'll allow two minutes.

 

[State]

Agree completely. They add some serious talent (football producers, athletes, and character guys)

Agree completely. As a draft nut, I was slapped in the face year after year by Belichick’s whimsical approach. Now we have evidence of a well-oiled, competent group.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Not sure if this has been posted but a night and day vibe difference between BB's draft room and last year's.

 

[manxman2601]

Not sure if this has been posted but a night and day vibe difference between BB's draft room and last year's.

It's pretty clear Vrabel is all about coaching the character of the player. Telling Woodson to get more excited, always telling the draftees to thank those around him.

 

[Clonamery]

Agree completely. As a draft nut, I was slapped in the face year after year by Belichick’s whimsical approach. Now we have evidence of a well-oiled, competent group.

It's less about Wolf because I remember that 1st Press Conference and for the son of a GM to be as ****y and full of bravado as he was made me dislike him immensely. He was lucky Vrabel and Cowden have been so open and welcoming to their process. They saved his career.

 

[maust]

I'll allow two minutes.

Just so you know, in this instance I define 'minute' rather loosely. Not quite as generously as a wife's "I'll be ready in 5 minutes" but maybe somewhere in the vicinity of a two minute warning's two minutes

 

[maust]

It's less about Wolf because I remember that 1st Press Conference and for the son of a GM to be as ****y and full of bravado as he was made me dislike him immensely. He was lucky Vrabel and Cowden have been so open and welcoming to their process. They saved his career.

Well, they saved his career in New England. The vast majority of NFL front offices fuel being a blend of nepotism and good ol' boy network essentially guaranteed Wolf lifetime employment at birth.

 

[RobertWeathers]

It's less about Wolf because I remember that 1st Press Conference and for the son of a GM to be as ****y and full of bravado as he was made me dislike him immensely. He was lucky Vrabel and Cowden have been so open and welcoming to their process. They saved his career.

I agree. I've been fair and have given him the benefit of the doubt as he was here when BB went rogue on draft day and Mayo was a directionless moron but there is something about him that I can't warm up to. He is just....awkward.

At the end of the day if they are drafting logically and the players are turning out to be studs, if hes part of that equation then so be it and just limit his public exposure please....

 

[maust]

I agree. I've been fair and have given him the benefit of the doubt as he was here when BB went rogue on draft day and Mayo was a directionless moron but there is something about him that I can't warm up to. He is just....awkward.

Some of that isn't really his fault, he's got one of those 'just wanna punch it' nepo faces. We're talkin' like a John Mara level of needs punching nepo face

 

[BobDigital]

Not only that, but they have to nail next years draft because they aren’t going to find answers on offense in free agency. Wide Receiver is barron, and no one lets good OL walk. If anything it will be the same formula as this offseason, address defensive needs in free agency, and offense in the draft. Fortunately they won’t be doing a complete overhaul again, but they will still have to nail the decisions they do make.

Well not to do any accounting early.... But let's do some on the 2026 cap which they are up against. Assuming guys work out. If Bourne is cut that saves 7M. Bradbury being replace by Wilson saves 3M. With Henderson do we REALLY need Gibson? 2.5M off the cap. Hollins may or may not be gone depending on how much they value his special teams. So with just those 3 we have some breathing room with 12.5M we save above replacement players. Of course this is all before the giant Elephants in the room of Onwenu and Dugger. Not to mention if we think Henry is worth paying again... maybe and maybe not.

So the way i see it next draft the focus is on Guard in case Onwenu can't be worked out... he's good when he's on, but we need help there anyway. Another WR cause Diggs isn't the long term option. TE cause Hopper will be gone and we need a solution there anyway long term no matter what. After that pretty much all 3 levels on D.

 

[Rob0729]

No offense, but I feel these immediate post draft grades are useless. I get that it is purely for message board discussion, but although this draft looks good on paper it could end up being the worst draft in years for the Patriots.

I do think this is the first draft we really should judge Wolf. I never thought it was completely fair to judge him so harshly for last year. He was still hamstrung by Belichick's scouting system which was antiquated and bare bones. Over the last year, Wolf modernized the system and added staff. So it is more his scouting system and what works in the NFL these days.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Some of that isn't really his fault, he's got one of those 'just wanna punch it' nepo faces. We're talkin' like a John Mara level of needs punching nepo face

He absolutely was one of those kids you put in a trash can or hid his clothes while he was in the shower after gym. No question.

 

[Steve102]

I'll allow two minutes.