On Tuesday morning, New England Patriots fans heard for the first time from the man tasked with getting the Patriots – as he put it – “back to respectability.”
That was one of many notable quotes from Eliot Wolf, who spoke to reporters ahead of this week’s NFL Combine. Wolf’s title remains what is was last year – director of scouting – but he now is essentially the team’s de facto general manager following the departure of Bill Belichick.
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As part of his Tuesday presser Wolf confirmed what had previously been reported – that he has ‘final say’ over the team’s roster and personnel decisions. That power is what makes him the de facto GM.
“It’s going to be a collaborative effort – coach [Jerod] Mayo, myself, [director of player personnel] Matt Groh, the whole staff,” Wolf said to reporters on Tuesday when asked about the team’s decision-making process. “At the end of the day, someone has to make that pick, and that’ll be myself.”
So, what is Wolf going to do with that newfound power?
“We need to weaponize the offense,” Wolf said, in part, when asked about his approach to this offseason. “Height, weight, speed, playmaking ability – there will definitely be an emphasis on those things.”
It sounds like at least part of Wolf’s focus in building the Patriots back up will be targeting more natural physical talent. Looking at the draft though we need to dig a little deeper, as that description fits most of the players at the top of the board, especially at the Patriots’ positions of need. Wolf addressed his thoughts on two of those positions on Tuesday.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 28: Drake Maye #10 of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks to pass against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium on October 28, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
“I think it’s a really good year for quarterbacks,” Wolf said when asked about this class. “Like any position, we’re going to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses and determine who fits for us.”
Wolf added that an important part of making that determination will be getting to know the quarterbacks as players. The Patriots are expected to meet with all three top quarterbacks in the draft – USC’s Caleb Williams, UNC’s Drake Maye, and LSU’s Jayden Daniels – and Wolf added they could have additional pre-draft meetings as well.
Despite having not met any of the top quarterbacks in person though, Wolf said part of the reason he likes this class is what he sees in their mental makeup. “One thing about the quarterbacks in this draft specifically that I’m excited about – they all look like they’re really tough guys,” Wolf explained.
Does this all point to the Patriots taking a quarterback in the first round to being the “weaponization” of the Patriots’ offense? Wolf highlighted the value of taking a quarterback with the team’s first pick league-wide.
“When you look throughout the league, most of the quarterbacks are first-rounders,” Wolf noted. “I think the league-wide understanding of how important that position is and how important it is to have somebody there that can help you win games and get over the hump has changed league-wide.”
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 23: Marvin Harrison Jr. #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in action against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium on September 23, 2023 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Wolf didn’t just talk about the quarterbacks at the top of the draft though. He was also asked about Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who is also projected to be a top five pick.
“He’s a good player. There’s obviously a lot of strengths to his game” Wolf replied. “He can translate to any offense in the NFL.”
The one position of need Wolf wasn’t asked about – as it relates to the draft – was offensive tackle. However he did address the position internally, calling pending free agent Michael Onwenu a “cornerstone” and adding that “it’s no secret we want to keep him.”
Talking about “weaponizing” the offense is one thing, but doing it is another. Patriots fans won’t have to wait long to start seeing Wolf’s vision take shape. The Combine usually marks the start of regular free agency rumors, leading up to the start of the legal tampering period on March 11. From there, it’s about another month and a half until the NFL Draft.
