Indianapolis – Eliot Wolf and New England Patriots are about to make the guard list good enough to use the No. 4 choice on the best player available.
A large part of his recruitment plan for free agent centers around Quarterback Drake Maye, selected the third total of 2024.
“It’s a more attractive destination than last year,” Wolf said Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Wolf said “in the end it is my last word” on roster decision but repeated head coach Mike Vrabel’s position that they will work together to make big decisions to fill in the guard list.
Maye will be in the middle of the trial. He went to Pro Bowl as a beginner with 15 touchdowns and 10 intercepts.
Wolf listed run back and defensive line as two of the positions he considers are strongest in the upcoming draft, which indicates that it may be “meatier” in the middle rounds in positions such as offensive tackle and broad receiver.
Connecting the dots, given that Vrabel and Wolf emphasized to be better on the offensive line, they will probably be in the mixture for top -free agent blockers.
The patriots allowed 52 sacks last season; Maye was dismissed 34 times.
“The game is always won on the line, and it was before the Super Bowl,” Wolf said, noting that he felt responsible for every hit Jacoby Brissett and Maye took. “We took some swings. Taking swings is in the end not good enough. We went 4-13. We must have results. We must continue to improve the guard list.”
Vrabel and Wolf said that the patriots plan to spend responsibly and get more out of their assets. Wolf said he was responsible for decisions that did not go out and built the guard list in 2024.
“It’s about doing what’s necessary. Just haven’t done enough,” Wolf said. “The free bureau class didn’t live up to expectations. The draft of class, it’s too early to tell, but we really expected more of some of these guys.”
-Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media
