If this draft is the work of Eliot Wolf’s grading system then

[FredFromDartmouth]

Even for the best (Ravens, Eagles, Chiefs), not all drafts work put equally well. But when you can string a couple of good drafts/offseasons together you become a contender pretty quickly, and the converse also applies, as we learned all too well.

BTW, it looks like the evil Ravens had another great draft. Grrrrrr.....

 

[Huckleberry1]

Guarantee feels strong. Vrabel has to know who did what behind the scenes. If it was just him and Cowden doing the work and Wolf was either just there for the optics or was in fact an obstacle then IMO Wolf's gone. If it turns out that it is as some suggests Wolf was consumed by managing/mentoring Mayo last season and now he does play an important role in Vrabel's eyes, he'll be extended.

Cowden said in his presser that the work that went into this draft went on for 18 months. Cowden and Streicher haven’t even been there for 3 months. I believe they all had input and Vrabel made the final picks, but Wolf is all over this draft in their evaluations and grading, they didn’t just work it up in a couple of months.

 

[Dec54]

Cowden said in his presser that the work that went into this draft went on for 18 months. Cowden and Streicher haven’t even been there for 3 months. I believe they all had input and Vrabel made the final picks, but Wolf is all over this draft in their evaluations and grading, they didn’t just work it up in a couple of months.

This draft will either get Wolf fired or land him a fat contract extension.

Contract extension for me. But for some here he will always be the bad guy just because of the 2024 draft. Those that bad mouth him off, don't even know what happened it that draft, they just have speculation. Yes it was not a good draft, but this one was. And no matter what some think, Wolf had a big say in it.

 

[ausbacker]

Contract extension for me. But for some here he will always be the bad guy just because of the 2024 draft. Those that bad mouth him off, don't even know what happened it that draft, they just have speculation. Yes it was not a good draft, but this one was. And no matter what some think, Wolf had a big say in it.

Delivering a F graded draft followed by an A graded draft makes it difficult to appraise Wolf. I'm fine with giving him another year to see what happens. If he delivers next season, then, and only then, should the Pats entertain giving him a mid-length extension.

 

[Ring 6]

Delivering a F graded draft followed by an A graded draft makes it difficult to appraise Wolf. I'm fine with giving him another year to see what happens. If he delivers next season, then, and only then, should the Pats entertain giving him a mid-length extension.

I did a google search of grades for the 2024 draft at the time and the grades were excellent, nothing worse than B+.
As far as how they looked before anyone got on the field last years was as good as this years.
Let’s hope this isn’t Wolfs second draft where he picked guys that would get the media to say he did well and ultimately the draft sucked.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

...
The thing is we won't know how EITHER draft will be finally graded for another 2-3 years. Maye looks like he's a winner, but he was a no-brainer pick both for talent AND need. The rest of the draft "looks" like a disaster, but let's see how it turns out.
...

True, we may not know for 2-3 years, but Vrabel will know within a week after training camp starts. As BB said, it was pretty obvious what he had in Lawrence Taylor on the first day of practice.

However I think that even us lowly fans will have a pretty good idea how the draft went after the first few pre-season games. Heck, even I, just a fan, recognized Pop Douglas in training camp practices--no one could cover him [the other guys that stood out were Peppers and Jack Jones]

 

[Huckleberry1]

iDelivering a F graded draft followed by an A graded draft makes it difficult to appraise Wolf. I'm fine with giving him another year to see what happens. If he delivers next season, then, and only then, should the Pats entertain giving him a mid-length extension.

I think that you extend him because if they are successful the next couple of years other teams are going to come hunting for the guys Vrabel is counting on to get him his roster. Cowden and Streicher are at lower level positions, which makes them easier for other teams to poach. They should create as much stability in the front office as possible.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Contract extension for me. But for some here he will always be the bad guy just because of the 2024 draft. Those that bad mouth him off, don't even know what happened it that draft, they just have speculation. Yes it was not a good draft, but this one was. And no matter what some think, Wolf had a big say in it.

But we don't know if it was a good draft yet. Posters and media were excited about last years draft and we know how that turned out. In terms of needs, the Pats did a great job. Now it comes down to whether they picked the right guys. If 1-2 guys make a solid impact, Maye takes a 2nd year leap and the Pats make the playoffs, Wolf will be named GM.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Cowden said in his presser that the work that went into this draft went on for 18 months. Cowden and Streicher haven’t even been there for 3 months. I believe they all had input and Vrabel made the final picks, but Wolf is all over this draft in their evaluations and grading, they didn’t just work it up in a couple of months.

Cowden and Streicher has been scouting the players for 12 to 18 months. They both scouted at their previous jobs. They didn't forget the prospects and the work they had done when the Pats hired them 3 months ago.

 

[Froob]

Maybe, but he did overhaul the grading system after Bill left. It took a year to implement because scouting for 2024 was already completed. Regardless, Vrabel and Cowden have done a very nice job with these picks so far.

what was the old system? guys that were coached by bill’s buddies / obscure safeties from small schools / DL.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Cowden and Streicher has been scouting the players for 12 to 18 months. They both scouted at their previous jobs. They didn't forget the prospects and the work they had done when the Pats hired them 3 months ago.

That’s a good point, but by every account the grading system they used was the one Wolf put in place, and I have said a number of times that I don’t believe Wolf would have had this successful a draft if he hadn’t been working with Vrabel, Cowden, and Streicher, and that final credit goes to Vrabel as he had final say on who they took. Collaboration means that multiple people have input, but ultimately there is always a decision maker, and for the Patriots it’s Vrabel.

 

[Huckleberry1]

what was the old system? guys that were coached by bill’s buddies / obscure safeties from small schools / DL.

From every account I have read Bill’s entire analytics department was Ernie Adams, and they have spent the last couple of year building an analytics department comparable to the rest of the league. Great a coach as Belichick was he was also a control freak, and when it came time to pick players he didn’t listen to anyone but himself. And my take on the primary difference between Bill and this regime is that Bill’s approach was about versatility and trying to fill every role he believed he would need, whereas I think the new regime is more about getting the best players at their positions, and they will deal with filling roles using those players. I think given the choice Bill would rather take the guy who could play 3 positions on the OL over the guy who was just a better guard. Was that always the case? No. But it seemed it was his overall approach to team building.

 

[Real fan 02]

Everything after Maye is still TBD but in theory they should have gotten 2 starters and 2 role players so yes, based on a year later it did suck.

Just thought I'd mention RW.. during Wolf's post draft meeting with the media he mention something of note.. he said he thanks vrabel and his staff for coming in and getting everything corrected...

Probably the most authentic statement Wolf's made since he's been here!

 

[Real fan 02]

Cowden and Streicher has been scouting the players for 12 to 18 months. They both scouted at their previous jobs. They didn't forget the prospects and the work they had done when the Pats hired them 3 months ago.

I agree!

 

[Huckleberry1]

Just thought I'd mention RW.. during Wolf's post draft meeting with the media he mention something of note.. he said he thanks vrabel and his staff for coming in and getting everything corrected...

Probably the most authentic statement Wolf's made since he's been here!

Actually he didn’t say that. What he said was that they made the post draft UDFA period much more organized than he had done the previous year. But overall I think that the additions of Cowden and Streicher, with Vrabel the decision maker made for a much better draft and front office than it was with just Wolf calling the shots.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Just thought I'd mention RW.. during Wolf's post draft meeting with the media he mention something of note.. he said he thanks vrabel and his staff for coming in and getting everything corrected...

Probably the most authentic statement Wolf's made since he's been here!

Yep. This is why I'm cutting Wolf some slack. Between a stubborn BB who lost his fastball and a n00b, directionless Mayo I don't think Wolf stood a chance to contribute effectively.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Actually he didn’t say that. What he said was that they made the post draft UDFA period much more organized than he had done the previous year. But overall I think that the additions of Cowden and Streicher, with Vrabel the decision maker made for a much better draft and front office than it was with just Wolf calling the shots.

Yes but that doesn't speak well of Wolf who as an SVP of personnel he should define, own, and lead that process.

 

[Real fan 02]

Actually he didn’t say that. What he said was that they made the post draft UDFA period much more organized than he had done the previous year. But overall I think that the additions of Cowden and Streicher, with Vrabel the decision maker made for a much better draft and front office than it was with just Wolf calling the shots.

No. He said Vrabel, cowden and stretch came and helped him organize things.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Yes but that doesn't speak well of Wolf who as an SVP of personnel he should define, own, and lead that process.

I agree, and I think he did own it by saying he hadn’t done a good job of it in 24’, and that having Cowden and Streicher greatly improved it.

 

[Huckleberry1]

No. He said Vrabel, cowden and stretch came and helped him organize things.

What you said was “ they corrected everything,” and he never said that.