Since moving on from Bill Belichick, the Patriots have been operating without an official GM. Eliot Wolf reportedly has final say over personnel decisions, leading many to assume that the director of scouting was New England’s de facto general manager.
As Doug Kyed and Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald pass along, Wolf will retain his current title until after the draft, at which time owner Robert Kraft will consider a potential promotion. The owner has reportedly “received positive feedback” on Wolf, making the executive the favorite to land the top front office job.
“I’m excited with what I’ve seen so far, and we’ll evaluate after the draft and see how that’s gone and decide where we go from there,” Kraft said (via the Herald).
The son of Hall of Fame executive Ron Wolf, Eliot Wolf spent more than a decade in Green Bay’s front office to begin his career. He joined the Patriots in 2020 and quickly earned a promotion to his current gig. Once the Patriots/Belichick divorce was official, Wolf participated in head coaching interviews before helping Jerod Mayo fill out his staff.
As Kyed and Callahan note, the Patriots have never had an official “general manager” since Kraft took over ownership of the organization. That was partly due to Belichick’s control over the roster, although the Patriots did employ high-ranking officials like “vice president of player personnel” and “director of player personnel.” Kraft may follow a similar route this time around, although there’s not a better time to pivot to the more traditional front office hierarchy in a post-Belichick era.
Before the organization figures out official roles for the front office, the Patriots will be focused on the draft…particularly their third-overall pick. There have been conflicting reports about the selection’s availability via trade, but it’s generally believed that New England will consider offers for the pick.
If the team does make a trade, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe says the team is still likely to select a quarterback in the draft. Moving back would surely take the Patriots out of range for a top-tier QB, but the team would still have plenty of opportunities to select someone at the position (including at their No. 34 pick).
Speaking of the top-tier quarterbacks, there were some rumblings that the Patriots weren’t enamored with UNC’s Drake Maye. However, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports that the Patriots will attend the prospect’s pro day tomorrow, and Mayo all but confirmed the team’s interest in Maye while speaking with reporters the other day.
“Drake Maye had a fantastic interview at the combine. He brings a lot of energy. You can tell he has that leadership ability,” Mayo said (via Reiss). “Also the exciting part about a guy like Drake Maye, there is really no ceiling with a guy like that. In saying that, when we’re trying to put together this roster, I know a lot of people look at the ceiling. But you also have to look at how low is the floor. I would say a guy like Drake Maye – he has a lot of room to grow. He’s a young guy. Honestly, he hasn’t played football nearly as much as these other guys. So that’s definitely something we’ve looked at, but he’s definitely going to develop.”
The Patriots have already brought in Jacoby Brissett to keep the QB seat warm, so New England is clearly intent on bringing a rookie QB along slowly. That much is known…it remains to be seen which rookie QB (and which rookie QB tier) the organization will ultimately land on.
NE is in a tough spot. Maye isn’t a #3 pick but they need a QB. They could trade down but that leaves less options on the table.
Is JJ they guy at #3? Idk
Personally I think they could trade down with MIN and grab extra picks and Bo Nix.
If MHJ is available at 3 do they pass on him? MHJ could be the next Justin Jefferson, it would be disappointing to see NE pass on the chance to add that type of talent to the squad.
Just some thoughts I had bouncing around. Thanks for reading.
They have too many holes. Trade down would be their best move. I agree with Nix. With 2 firsts and a high second, can fill OT, QB and WR needs with first 3 picks.
That’s not filling needs, that’s adding bodies. You draft a QB later and you don’t know what you’re getting. Same with the second tier WRs. You are getting prospects that have way more hit and miss by passing on elite talent like Harrison or Nabers.
Adding bodies can help fill holes, especially if those bodies happen to play the roles of the needs you have.
I think every QB regardless of where you draft them is a lottery ticket. You do not know what you are getting (it could be a winner or a looser).
Minnesota is content waiting to see if a guy falls past top 3.
They’re not going to trade what it takes to go to 3 to grab a QB that Patriots aren’t in love with in Maye.
Cardinals aren’t taking a QB
Chargers aren’t taking a QB
Giants would be stupid to take a QB
Titans aren’t taking one
Falcons aren’t
Bears aren’t
Jets aren’t
If someone falls to 5 im sure they pull a trigger otherwise I think they stay at 11 and take McCarthy and use their extra 1st to take a tackle or OL to protect him.
I can see that happening. If it wasn’t for the Giants sitting there with the chance to grab JJ I would be 100% behind you.
I think it’s a bluff from Giants.
They want out of # 6.
They signed Jones to that mega deal and will find no takers for that contract.
He’s injured and if they cut him it’s something like 90 mill in dead money before June 1st. Injury guarantee, prorated signing bonus, base salary.
If they wait till after June 1st while he’s injured his cap him for 2025 is more than his base salary.
I just don’t see Giants taking on huge amounts of cap hits by getting rid of him. But you’re not gonna keep a 40 mill player on the bench next 2 years either.
Might as well play him and build up the roster if and when you do choose to move on from him at QB.
That being said they do need to build up the roster. Easiest way would be trading out of 6 recoup some picks you lost in the Burns trade and move forward.
As much as people would hate it. I’d offer 6 to the Chiefs for a ransom and let them grab Mahomes an elite player maker in Nabers or Bowers to replace Kelce when he finally retires. Giants walk away with some firsts and other picks in 2024 and 2025.
Could be a bluff but Danny is done after this year. He can play the season and be cut afterwards. The Giants need to have a plan in place. JJ at #6 would give them something to build around moving forward. Otherwise grabbing an elite WR would give them an attractive piece on offense to help lure a QB next off-season.
-The Chiefs win championships, they do not trade the farm for a guy they do not need just so the NYG can attempt to look competent lol.
Kraft is excited by what he’s seen so far? The Patriots have done nothing to address their needs.
You know what all the Patriots fans seem to forget and I’m a Patriots fan. Was just a couple years ago they were dynasty of 20 years, run by a quarterback picked at 199 in the six round that Mel kiper says shouldn’t have even been drafted.
None of the so-called top three quarterbacks that everybody is drooling about is worthy of a top three pick. I say the Patriots trade it pick up extra draft picks and take Nix or JJ McCarthy or pennix, then flip the extra 1st Rd pick to Cincinnati for Tee Higgins, and draft an OT at 34.
Patriots should just draft Marvin Harrision Jr. because he is the best player in the draft and they need a WR.
WR filled. Done. Get a OL in the 2nd and move on.
So Jacoby is the starter for the 2024 season in your scenario?
1st Round WR MHJ
2nd Round OT Kingsley Suamataia BYU
My question would be if they take MHJ in the 1st, do they grab QB Michael Penix Jr. at the start of the 2nd round if he is still there? They could then go after an OT in the 3rd: OT Kiran Amegadjie YALE or OT Blake Fisher Notre Dame.