TRANSCRIPT: Eliot Wolf’s Press Conference 2/26
Eliot Wolf speaks to the media at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
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Here’s what New England Patriots Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf had to say during his press conference on Wednesday down at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis:
OPENING STATEMENT:
“This is my 31st combine. Started coming here in 1994 when I was 11 years old. It’s really cool to see how this thing has developed and grown in a lot of ways. It’s been really cool and rewarding so far working with Coach [Mike] Vrabel. He has a lot of great ideas, a vision for the team, an effort that we’re all working together. He’s met with the scouts, he’s met with me, he’s met with everybody. It’s all authentic and genuine, and it’s really good to see just how he’s developed and how we’re all going to develop this thing together moving forward.”
“That being said, last season, ultimately, the roster was on me. We were 4-13. Just didn’t get enough done. Certainly, the free agency class didn’t live up to our expectations. The draft class, it’s too soon to tell, but we were expecting a bigger impact from some of those guys, and we’re still hopeful that they’ll get to that point. We’re excited about Drake Maye. We’re excited about working with Coach Vrabel. Everything that we’re doing is to improve this football team and getting to where we need to go. The fans, understanding their frustrations, I share those frustrations.”
“It’s been difficult. Every hit on Jacoby [Brissett] or Drake during the season, I felt responsible for that. Just ultimately, we didn’t get enough done up front. The game is always won on the lines, offensive line, defensive line, not just because of the Super Bowl. It’s always been that way. Ultimately, just didn’t do enough to improve the roster to get it to where we need it to be. So, that being said, again, just really excited about Coach Vrabel and the direction and vision that he’s provided in working together with these guys and getting this thing going.”
On how he views their draft position:
“Yeah, it’s an advantageous position. I’d say there’s maybe less clarity this year about what’s going to happen in front of us. But there’s some good players available, and we’re open to anything. We’re open to moving down, we’re open to moving up, we’re open to sitting there and picking, just whatever the case may be in terms of making the team better.
On evaluating the guys they have on the roster ahead of free agency and building it out ahead of the draft:
“Absolutely. I think it’s definitely advantageous to try to build that roster out and get as much as we can, whether that’s middle class of the roster or upper class. There’s only so many elite free agents, and there’s probably 27 teams looking at those guys. Certainly, we feel like we’re a more attractive destination this year than we were last year. We’re excited to fill the roster out and get the depth and get to where we need to be so we can use that pick on the best player available.”
On the fact last year at this time, he had final say and if the scenario is still that way this year:
“Yeah, it’s similar. I would just say listening to Coach Vrabel, there’s not a lot of GMs or people in my position in this business that are going to force players on the coaching staff. Certainly, the best decisions are made together. I’m going to continue to work with Mike and Ryan [Cowden] and Stretch [John Streicher] and the scouting staff, Richard Miller, everybody, to make those decisions the best we can for the team.”
On how much of his recruiting pitch is going to revolve around Drake Maye:
“Offensively, quite a bit, but defensively, some as well. Drake showed tremendous improvement throughout the season. There’s still plenty of room to grow, but having that guy in place is paramount to our success. We’re really excited about the future that he can bring to our organization.”
On Travis Hunter and how much he can potentially play on both sides of the ball in the NFL:
“Yeah, I mean, Travis Hunter is a tremendous prospect, as a number of these guys are. He’s obviously been very unique, won the Heisman Trophy, playing in both ways. He’s really unique and instinctive at both positions. So, I think there’s a scenario where he’s probably going to major in one and minor in the other. But I think there’s a scenario where he could play both ways.”
On the evolution of the college football landscape, whether he sees a distinct group of guys that might be more NFL-ready because they’re more seasoned:
“Yeah, I think every case can be different. Certainly the information that we can get now, instead of getting information from one school and one pro-liaison, a lot of these guys have transferred two, three times. So we’re getting information from three different places, from their high school coaches, three different strength coaches. So just the information flow is better, and we feel more convicted in the information that we receive.”
On the fact he’s not going to want to force any players on Mike or the coaching staff, but if he does have final say on the 53-man roster:
“Ultimately, it’s my final say. But again, Mike and I, again, Mike said it yesterday, Mike wouldn’t have taken this job – and this is something we talked about in the interview process – Mike wouldn’t have taken this job if we weren’t comfortable with each other. There’s not going to be ‘Mike’s guys’ or Eliot’s guys.’ They’re going to be ‘Patriot guys.’ We’re excited to share the vision to work together to improve the roster. ”
On where he sees Mike Onwenu’s fit on the offensive line:
“I think ideally Mike is a guard. But again, some of those decisions haven’t been made yet. Obviously, Mike has played tackle for Josh [McDaniels]. Doug Marrone, I don’t believe, has even met him yet. So, we’re going to get to the point where we’ll make the best decision for the team.”
On if he thinks he needs clarity on his position as they address the line:
“I think that would be certainly helpful to Mike and helpful to all of us as we develop a strategy moving forward.”
On how he sees free agency in terms of how they operate and what he’s sees as the issue from last year:
“I think maybe just being more thorough. Just some of the information that we got on some of the players wasn’t as thorough as it needed to be. So I think just moving forward, we have a tremendous opportunity with this coaching staff. A lot of these guys have been other places. They’re familiar with these guys, and just having that familiarity with players is going to be an advantage for us moving forward.”
On the importance of some of the defensive players up front and why teams are investing so much money in that position:
“I just think the ability to wreck a game. I mean, these guys that are elite up front, pushing the middle of the pocket, making the quarterback move, get off the spot. There’s a premium on those guys. And that’s why you see some of these guys getting paid and being drafted earlier because of the impact they can have on all three downs.”
On how much they’re willing to extend themselves in free agency to target the top players:
“I mean, we’re not going to be frivolous. We’re going to do what we think is best, and we’re going to … Again, we have to do what’s necessary. So last year we didn’t do enough of what was necessary. This year, we have to do what’s necessary to improve the team.”
On the fact that last year he talked about ‘weaponizing the offense’ and if he can reflect back on what went wrong and how aggressive they need to be to help Drake Maye this year:
“Yeah, I mean, I think we took some swings. Again, taking swings ultimately isn’t good enough. We went 4-13. We have to have results. We took some swings at some of those guys and came up short. And that’s not an excuse. That’s just what happened. So, we need to continue to improve the roster, whether they’re weapons, whether it’s the line, whether it’s the defense, just in all phases.”
On with the amount of cap space they have, if he expects to spend up to or close to the cap:
“Again, I just think we’re going to do what we have to do. I think it’s probably not responsible to spend the whole thing. But again, that’s not to say we won’t do it. If there’s a player out there, or obviously players out there that can fill a role for us.”
On if there’s a position or two for him in this draft class that maybe stands out above the rest:
“I think it’s really deep on the defensive line. I think it’s really, really deep at running back. Tight end is a good year. So, those are some of the positions that stand out.”
On the issues that came up on the defensive “spine”, what his outlook is on that part of the defense moving forward:
“Yeah, just again, not an excuse, but unfortunately losing [Christian] Barmore, losing [Ja’Whaun] Bentley, [Kyle] Dugger, and [Jabrill] Peppers had their issues with injuries and things during the season. We’re hopeful those guys are going to come back for us and help stabilize that area. But again, we need to support them and develop the depth on the roster to be able to compete at a higher level.”
On how satisfied he was with Drake Maye’s year one development and what he’s looking for in order for him to take the next step this offseason:
“First of all, the person with Drake is phenomenal. He’s a tremendous worker. He’s a tremendous teammate. All of that’s really genuine and you can see the work and effort he put in and how his teammates gravitate to him. And those are all things that we’re really looking forward to. Again, we won four games. Drake obviously did some good things. He made a lot of mistakes. I think he’d be the first one to tell you that. And so as we move forward, it’s positive, but it’s not where we need it to be.”
On Barmore and the fact he came back and had reoccurring symptoms, if he has any idea on where he is there:
“Yeah, we don’t know for sure yet. The one thing we know, he’s working out in Tampa right now, and that’s going really well from the reports we’ve gotten. He’s doing everything in his power. He wants to play football and that’s one of the things I’ve always admired about Christian is how passionate he is. He doesn’t want to let anyone down, and he’s passionate about getting back on the field.”
On Vrabel talking about [inaudible] …
“Again, I think it’s about doing what’s necessary. We need to improve the roster. It’s not where we need it to be. I think everyone’s aware of that. Whether that means aggression or having a plan or being able to pivot off, ‘This is number one, this is number two, this is number three.’ Just being able to pivot when something doesn’t go as expected.”
On what it’s been like working with Ryan Cowden and if he has any understanding of their grading system:
“Yeah, so I’ve known Ryan for like 20 years. He came up in Carolina, I came up in Green Bay and for whatever reason, a lot of the Packer scouts and the Panther scouts kind of shared some of the same views. I don’t know if the grading skill is exactly the same, but it’s something that he’s worked in before. Again, I’ve always appreciated Ryan because he has a distinct opinion. He’s not going to waffle on anything. ‘This is what it is,’ and that’s been really rewarding to work with him so far. It’s been good.”
On the fact when it comes to doing what’s necessary at a premium position, how they’ll ensure they can do what’s necessary given all that competition:
“Yeah. I mean, again, I think it’s about pivoting. If you don’t get plan one, then you go for plan two. If you don’t get plan two, you go for plan three. I just think it’s about keeping your options open, whether it’s free agency, trade, draft. Again, we didn’t talk about the offensive line as a strong position in the draft, but I think as you get into the middle rounds, there’s some strength there. It’s just about keeping your options open, being intentional about what you want to do.”
On the fact he said he expected more of an impact from last year’s draft class and what he has to do now to get that class back on track:
“Some of those guys, every rookie develops differently. Caeden [Wallace] was progressing and he got hurt. Layden [Robinson] probably played a little bit more than we had expected when we drafted him. Obviously, the receivers didn’t have the production that we had hoped for. When you do watch practice and you do talk to these guys, they’re the right people. They work hard, they are talented. Sometimes, for whatever reason, the rookies just aren’t ready to go. Again, it’s not a guarantee, but we’re hopeful that they’ll continue working and get to be productive players for our team.”
On if he has any comment on the NFLPA report card, which came out today:
“Yeah, you know what? I heard that that came out right before I got up here. I haven’t had a chance to look at it yet.”
On how he explains Ja’Lynn Polk’s slump:
“I think … I hate to use this analogy, but you know in The Dark Night when ‘it’s the hero you need isn’t the hero that you have?’ He was a young player that came in and he’s mature, he’s smart. I think organizationally, we maybe put too much on his plate early, and I think that really kind of stunted his growth a little bit. He’s aware of that, and we’ve talked about it, and he’s going to continue to work hard and rehab and do the things that are necessary to improve.”
On how often he talks to his dad [Ron Wolf]:
“Every day.”
On if his dad stays on top of the NFL:
“Yeah, he stays on top. He watches the Red Zone every week. I send him the transactions every day. He’s got an iPad, so he can watch our games when he so desires. I don’t know how many he watched last year.”
On if he leans on him for advice:
“Yeah. I do lean on him for advice. It’s more about … It’s nothing specific to players or strategy. It’s more just kind of big picture, leadership, things of that nature.”
On how he values the wide receiver position when he looks at quarterbacks that have succeeded in the past, but their teams have drafted receivers like J’Marr Chase, Rome Udunze, and how he values the receiver position pre-free agency and going into the draft:
“This draft specifically, or just overall?”
[Inaudible]
“I think it’s okay. Again, I think this draft is probably a little meatier in the middle than it is at the top in a lot of ways. I think the receiver position is probably reflective of that as well. There are some players up there that I think, not only up there, but throughout the rounds, they can help us.”
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This transcript was done based on the available footage and is subject to typographical errors. If you spot anything, please let me know in the comments below.)
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