Latest news with #EliotWolf
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eliot Wolf makes Mike Vrabel admission after promising Patriots draft
New England Patriots lead personnel executive Eliot Wolf genuinely seemed surprised by how fluid the 2025 NFL draft process was under newly-hired head coach Mike Vrabel. Wolf took over as the lead personnel decision-maker after the team parted ways with Bill Belichick last year. It was his first time in the role, and he was paired with a rookie coach in Jerod Mayo. The situation was significantly different this time around with a more experienced coach leading the charge. Advertisement Vrabel and vice president of player personnel Ryan Cowden helped create a more "controlled" and "regimented" draft process, according to Wolf. 'I haven't ever done a process exactly like this—how regimented it is, how controlled it is. It's been really cool to see that come to fruition," Wolf said on Episode 1 of Forged in Foxborough, via CLNS' Taylor Kyles. The Patriots filled key positions of need and raised the talent level at more unexpected positions, such as running back and safety. They improved along the offensive front, upgraded their receiving weapons, got stronger in the defensive trenches and added youth on special teams. In Vrabel's first year with the Patriots, they put together one of the best offseasons on paper in recent memory. Time will tell if that success carries over on the football field. Advertisement The team's ability to win games will be the only real indicator of what the future holds in New England. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook. This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Eliot Wolf makes Mike Vrabel admission after promising Patriots draft
USA Today
17-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Eliot Wolf makes Mike Vrabel admission after promising Patriots draft
Eliot Wolf makes Mike Vrabel admission after promising Patriots draft New England Patriots lead personnel executive Eliot Wolf genuinely seemed surprised by how fluid the 2025 NFL draft process was under newly-hired head coach Mike Vrabel. Wolf took over as the lead personnel decision-maker after the team parted ways with Bill Belichick last year. It was his first time in the role, and he was paired with a rookie coach in Jerod Mayo. The situation was significantly different this time around with a more experienced coach leading the charge. Vrabel and vice president of player personnel Ryan Cowden helped create a more "controlled" and "regimented" draft process, according to Wolf. 'I haven't ever done a process exactly like this—how regimented it is, how controlled it is. It's been really cool to see that come to fruition," Wolf said on Episode 1 of Forged in Foxborough, via CLNS' Taylor Kyles. The Patriots filled key positions of need and raised the talent level at more unexpected positions, such as running back and safety. They improved along the offensive front, upgraded their receiving weapons, got stronger in the defensive trenches and added youth on special teams. In Vrabel's first year with the Patriots, they put together one of the best offseasons on paper in recent memory. Time will tell if that success carries over on the football field. The team's ability to win games will be the only real indicator of what the future holds in New England. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Here are 153 prospects connected to Patriots in 2025 NFL Draft
The pre-draft process is very important. This is the time of year when teams meet, scout, interview and ultimately decide if a prospect is worth investing in. Under Mike Vrabel, the Patriots were busy this offseason. Advertisement The team met with prospects at All-Star events such as the East-West Shrine game and Senior Bowl. Vrabel was seen at Pro Days at Boston College, Ohio State, and Texas. The Patriots met with 30 players at the NFL Combine. They also welcomed 30 prospects to Gillette Stadium for pre-draft visits. All that information leads to the team putting together their final draft board for the start of Thursday's 2025 NFL Draft. Last year, Drake Maye was one of the most well-connected prospects to the Patriots. The team also had plenty of contact with Ja'Lynn Polk, Caedan Wallace, Joe Milton III, and Jaheim Bell before selecting those players. In 2023, the Patriots were well-connected to future draft picks Christian Gonzalez, Demario 'Pop' Douglas, Marte Mapu, Atonio Mafi, Chad Ryland, Bryce Baringer, and Isaiah Bolden. Advertisement This year, we can connect 153 prospects to the Patriots. Here's a look at the players sorted by position and draft projection: Quarterbacks Quinn Ewers, Texas (Mike Vrabel at Pro Day) – Round 3 Jordan McCloud, Texas State (Meeting) - UDFA Seth Morgan, New Hampshire (Local Pro Day) - UDFA Jake Wilcox, Brown (Local Pro Day) - UDFA Wide receivers Travis Hunter, Colorado (Combine) – Round 1 Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona (Combine, Visit) – Round 1 Matthew Golden, Texas (Combine, Mike Vrabel at Pro Day) – Round 1-2 Jayden Higgins, lowa State (Senior Bowl) – Round 2 Jaylin Noel, lowa State (Senior Bowl, Visit) – Round 2 Advertisement Jalen Royals, Utah State (Senior Bowl) – Round 2-3 Tre Harris, Ole Miss (Combine) – Round 2-3 Kyle Williams, Washington State (Senior Bowl, Visit) – Round 3 Tez Johnson, Oregon (Eliot Wolf at Pro Day) – Round 4 Keandre Lambert-Smith, Auburn (Visit) – Round 4-5 Tai Felton, Maryland (Senior Bowl) – Round 4-5 Arian Smith, Georgia (Senior Bowl, Virtual meeting) – Round 5 Pat Bryant, Illinois (Senior Bowl, Combine) – Round 5 Ricky White, UNLV (Combine) – Round 5-6 Xavier Restrepo, Miami (Combine) – Round 5-6 Brett Buckmann, Connecticut (Local Pro Day) - UDFA Nehemiah Martinez, Abilene Christian (Pro Day) - UDFA Advertisement Jamall Pritchett, South Alabama (Meeting)- UDFA Justin Shorter, Holy Cross (Pro Day) - UDFA Carl Smith Jr., Robert Morris (Tropical Bowl) - UDFA Landon Parker, Troy (Tropical Bowl) - UDFA Jeremiah Hunter, Washington (Tropical Bowl) - UDFA Jacolby George, Miami (Virtual meeting) - UDFA Jeremiah Webb, South Alabama (Private workout) - UDFA Running backs Omarion Hampton, North Carolina (Combine) – Round 1 Dylan Sampson, Tennessee (Visit) – Round 2-3 RJ Harvey, UCF (Senior Bowl, Combine) – Round 3 Trevor Etienne, Georgia (Visit) - Round 3 Jordan James, Oregon (Eliot Wolf at Pro Day) – Round 3 Kyle Monangai, Rutgers (Combine) – Round 4-5 Advertisement Jaydon Blue, Texas (Mike Vrabel at Pro Day, Visit) – Round 5 Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Arizona (Shrine Bowl, Visit) – Round 5-6 Kalel Mullings, Michigan (Local Pro Day) – Round 5-6 Marcus Yarns, Delaware (Senior Bowl) – Round 7 Josh Williams, LSU (Shrine Bowl) - UDFA Jalen White, Georgia Southern (Tropical Bowl) - UDFA Treshaun Ward, Boston College (Tropical Bowl) - UDFA ShunDerrick Powell, Central Arkansas (Hula Bowl, Pro Day) - UDFA Braedon Sloan, Ball State, (Pro Day meeting) - UDFA Tight ends Mason Taylor, LSU (Senior Bowl, Combine) – Round 1-2 Terrence Ferguson, Oregon (Eliot Wolf at Pro Day) – Round 2-3 Advertisement Gunnar Helm, Texas (Combine, Mike Vrabel at Pro Day) – Round 3-4 Jackson Hawes, Georgia Tech (Senior Bowl) – Round 5-6 Gavin Bartholomew, Pitt (Combine) – Round 6 Rivaldo Fairweather, Auburn (Shrine Bowl) - UDFA Bryson Nesbit, North Carolina (Combine) - UDFA Robbie Ouzts, Alabama (Combine) - UDFA Thomas Gordon, Northwestern (Meeting) - UDFA Tackles Will Campbell, LSU (Visit) – Round 1 Armand Membou, Missouri (Matt Groh at Pro Day) – Round 1 Josh Conerly Jr, Oregon (Senior Bowl, Combine, Wolf at Pro Day) – Round 1-2 Josh Simmons, Ohio State (Combine, Vrabel at Pro Day) – Round 1-2 Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota (Senior Bowl, Visit) – Round 2 Advertisement Ozzy Trapilo, Boston College (Senior Bowl, Vrabel/Marrone at Pro Day, Local Pro Day) – Round 3 Charles Grant, William & Mary (Combine) – Round 3 Anthony Belton, NC State (Senior Bowl) – Round 3-4 Cameron Williams, Texas (Mike Vrabel at Pro Day) – Round 4 Carson Vinson, Alabama A&M (Senior Bowl) – Round 5 Xavier Truss, Georgia (Local Pro Day) – Round 6-7 Mason Miller, North Dakota (Hula Bowl) - UDFA DeVonte Gordon, Wake Forest (Tropical Bowl) - UDFA Zovon Lindsay, Coastal Carolina (Tropical Bowl) - UDFA Cole Birdow, Merrimack (Local Pro Day) - UDFA Guards/Centers Kelvin Banks, Texas (Mike Vrabel at Pro Day) – Round 1-2 Advertisement Miles Frazier, LSU (Senior Bowl) – Round 3 Marcus Mbow, Purdue (Senior Bowl) – Round 3 Wyatt Milum, West Virginia (Senior Bowl) – Round 3-4 Drew Kendall, Boston College (Vrabel/Marrone at Pro Day, Local Pro Day) – Round 4 Hayden Conner, Texas (Mike Vrabel at Pro Day) – Round 6 Jake Majors, Texas (Mike Vrabel at Pro Day, Meeting) – Round 6-7 Easton Kilty, Kansas State (Meeting) - UDFA Dylan Poirier, New Hampshire (Hula Bowl) - UDFA Jack Conley, Boston College (Local Pro Day) - UDFA Bert Hale, Louisiana Tech (Pro Day) - UDFA Janeiro Wakeham, IPP (Pro Day) - UDFA Edge rusher Abdul Carter, Penn State (Combine, Visit) – Round 1 Advertisement Mike Green, Marshall (Senior Bowl) – Round 1 Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M (Visit) – Round 1 Mykel Williams, Georgia (Visit, Pro Day) – Round 1-2 Nic Scourton, Texas A&M (Combine, Visit) – Round 2 Landon Jackson, Arkansas (Senior Bowl) - Round 2 Jordan Burch, Oregon (Eliot Wolf at Pro Day) – Round 2 Oluwafemi Oladejo, UCLA (Eliot Wolf at Pro Day, Visit) – Round 2-3 Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss (Senior Bowl) – Round 2-3 Josiah Stewart, Michigan (Senior Bowl) – Round 3 Barryn Sorrell, Texas (Mike Vrabel at Pro Day) – Round 3-4 Kyle Kennard, South Carolina (Senior Bowl, Meeting) – Round 4 Jah Joyner, Minnesota (Senior Bowl, Combine) – Round 5 Advertisement B.J. Green, Colorado (Hula Bowl) - UDFA Seth Coleman, Illinois (Hula Bowl) - UDFA RJ Oben, Notre Dame (Senior Bowl) - UDFA Josiah Silver, New Hampshire (Pro Day) - UDFA Defensive tackle Mason Graham, Michigan (Combine, Visit) – Round 1 Kenneth Grant, Michigan (Combine) – Round 1-2 Derrick Harmon, Oregon (Eliot Wolf at Pro Day) – Round 1-2 Darius Alexander, Toledo (Visit) – Round 2-3 Alfred Collins, Texas (Mike Vrabel at Pro Day) – Round 2-3 T.J. Sanders, South Carolina (Senior Bowl) | Source – Round 2-3 Joshua Farmer, Florida State (Visit) – Round 3 Cam Jackson, Florida (Senior Bowl) - Round 3-4 Deone Walker, Kentucky (Pro Day meeting) – Round 4 Advertisement Vernon Broughton, Texas (Mike Vrabel at Pro Day) – Round 4 Cam Horsely, Boston College (Vrabel at Pro Day) – Round 5 Nazir Stackhouse, Georgia (Meeting) – Round 5-6 Hector Johnson, Endicott (Local Pro Day) - UDFA DeAndre Jules, South Carolina (Pro Day) - UDFA Carson Primrose, Rhode Island (Local Pro Day) - UDFA Linebackers Jalon Walker, Georgia (Pro Day) - Round 1 Jihaad Campbell, Alabama (Combine) – Round 1 Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma (Combine) – Round 3 Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon (Meeting) – Round 3-4 Kain Medrano, UCLA (Eliot Wolf at Pro Day) – Round 4 Barrett Carter, Clemson (Senior Bowl, Combine) – Round 4 Nick Martin, Oklahoma State (Senior Bowl, Visit) – Round 5 Advertisement Eugene Asante, Auburn (Senior Bowl) – Round 5-6 Cody Lindenburg, Minnesota (Senior Bowl) – Round 5-6 Karene Reid, Utah (Senior Bowl) - UDFA Jesiah Pierre, UCF (Tropical Bowl) - UDFA Xander Mueller, Northwestern (Meeting) - UDFA Luka Sarac, UC Davis (Pro Day) - UDFA Ruben Hyppolite II, Maryland (Private workout) - UDFA Matt Jones, Baylor (Hula Bowl) - UDFA Cornerbacks Travis Hunter, Colorado (Combine, Pro Day) – Round 1 Jacob Parrish, Kansas State (Visit) – Round 2-3 Quincy Riley, Louisville (Senior Bowl) – Round 3-4 Bilhal Kone, Western Michigan (Senior Bowl, Combine, Pro Day) – Round 4-5 Korie Black, Oklahoma State (Meeting) – Round 5 Advertisement Tommi Hill, Nebraska (Senior Bowl) – Round 5-6 Mac McWilliams, UCF (Senior Bowl, Combine) – Round 5 Tyron Herring, Delaware (East West Shrine Bowl) - UDFA Ca'lin Vigers, Louisiana-Monroe (Hula Bowl) - UDFA Caleb Mead, New Hampshire (Pro Day) - UDFA Terrence Spence, James Madison (Private workout) - UDFA Safeties Jonas Sanker, Virginia (Senior Bowl, Combine) – Round 3 Andrew Mukuba, Texas (Mike Vrabel at Pro Day) – Round 3-4 Maxen Hook, Toledo (Senior Bowl) – Round 4-5 Jayden Johnson, Arkansas (Tropical Bowl) - UDFA Wande Owens, New Hampshire (Local Pro Day) - UDFA Andrews Keaton, Temple (Pro Day) - UDFA Zachariah Twardosky, Endicott (Local Pro Day) - UDFA Advertisement Myles Griffin, Louisville (Tropical Bowl) - UDFA Keondre Jackson, Illinois State (Senior Bowl) - UDFA Braden Price, Rhode Island (Local Pro Day) - UDFA Andreas Keaton, Temple (Pro Day Meeting) - UDFA Kickers Andy Borregales, Miami (Shrine Bowl, Jeremy Springer at Pro Day) - Round 6 Ryan Fitzgerald, Florida State (Private workout) – Round 6-7 Ben Sauls, Pitt (Combine) – Round 7 Tristian Vandenberg, Memphis (Private workout) - UDFA Jordan Noyes, Colorado State (Jeremy Springer at Pro Day) - UDFA More Patriots Content
New York Times
31-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
New England Patriots NFL Draft 2025 guide: Picks, predictions and key needs
The New England Patriots have the fourth pick in the 2025 NFL Draft when Round 1 begins April 24 in Green Bay. The Patriots own nine total picks in the seven-round draft. Every pick in the seven-round NFL Draft. • Round 1: April 24, 8 p.m. ET • Rounds 2-3: April 25, 7 p.m. ET • Rounds 4-7: April 26, noon ET All rounds will be televised on ESPN/ABC and NFL Network and in Spanish on ESPN Deportes. • General manager: N/A, though Eliot Wolf is the team's executive vice president of player personnel • Head coach: Mike Vrabel (first season with team) • Last year's record: 4-13 Advertisement The Patriots' stretch of poor draft classes has fully caught up to them. They've won four games in back-to-back seasons and will enter 2025 with a third coach in three seasons, unfathomable turnover for a franchise that embodied stability for so long. But Bill Belichick left the roster in rough shape and Jerod Mayo didn't do anything to improve it during his stint. So enter Mike Vrabel, a Patriots Hall of Famer from his playing days, to take on the difficult task of returning the franchise to its winning ways — or at least getting it to a respectable place. Eliot Wolf still has the title that would indicate he's the final decision-maker. But after his whiff of a draft class last year (Drake Maye notwithstanding), it's no secret that Vrabel will have final say. Their goal is consensus in the draft, but Vrabel didn't take on this bleak roster without the understanding that he'd also get to shop for the groceries he'll cook with. • The Patriots' 2024 NFL Draft class • DL Milton Williams: Four-year, $104 million deal • WR Stefon Diggs: Three-year, $69 million deal • CB Carlton Davis: Three-year, $60 million deal • Edge Harold Landry: Three-year, $43.5 million deal • LB Robert Spillane: Three-year, $37 million deal • Patriots' 2025 free-agency tracker Left tackle: No secret or surprise here. The Patriots added Morgan Moses as a stopgap at right tackle and Garrett Bradbury to play center. But they've done nothing to address the most important spot on the offensive line despite having the worst front five in the NFL last season. They'll look now at the draft to find the long-term answer to who will protect Maye's blind side. Wide receiver: The addition of Stefon Diggs is a massive boost. There's no denying that. But at the same time, Diggs is 31 and coming off an ACL tear. And even if he does bounce back well, the rest of the wide receiver depth chart has been such a mess that the Patriots ranked 32nd in the league last season in production at the position. So even with Diggs in the fold, the Patriots should consider a wide receiver in Rounds 1-3. Advertisement Edge rusher: There are so many directions we could go here for the third-biggest position of need, but edge rusher is vital. The Patriots traded Matthew Judon and Joshua Uche a year ago, and though they're hopeful about what they can get from Keion White (and free-agent additions Harold Landry and K'Lavon Chaisson), they still need more help getting to the passer. They ranked 32nd in the league in sacks last season. Patriots big board: 15 players they could target in Rounds 1-3 The Patriots should trade down from No. 4. Why will it be so difficult? If Patriots land Travis Hunter in the NFL Draft, where should they play him? The Patriots' early work in free agency was great. But what about LT and WR? Patriots brought home bacon in free agency, but this isn't the time for a victory lap March 24: New first-round mock Ben Standig predicts edge rusher Abdul Carter will fall to New England. March 20: Beat writer mock draft 2.0 Two QBs go in the top three, and the Pats land Heisman winner Travis Hunter at No. 4. March 18: Patriots 7-round mock draft New England addresses needs on the offensive line and at wide receiver in Rounds 1 and 2. March 10: 3-round mock draft Nick Baumgardner thinks the Pats will opt for LSU's Will Campbell in the first round. March 4: Dane Brugler mock draft Dane has the Pats sticking at No. 4 and getting Missouri OT Armand Membou. (Photo of Will Campbell: Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images)
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Patriots front office still has high aspirations after initial group of free agency signings
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The New England Patriots' front office leadership is proud of the initial steps they've made at the start of free agency. They also want to make it clear that they aren't done yet. 'Obviously, we're not done. We still have some needs to fill,' Patriots vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said. But coming off back-to-back 4-13 seasons, the most recent of which ended with the firing of coach Jerod Mayo after one season, the Patriots aren't waiting to celebrate what they hope is the start of the turnaround. On Thursday, the team introduced free agent signings defensive tackle Milton Williams, cornerback Carlton Davis III, offensive lineman Morgan Moses and linebacker Robert Spillane. Linebacker Harold Landry III wasn't present, but visited the team facility Wednesday and signed his new contract. It is a group that Patriots team owner Robert Kraft said he's had to try to contain his excitement about. 'Personally, I'm very excited about what's coming. I've been told I should calm down,' Kraft joked. 'We are really committed to build a team that our fans can be proud of. ... I just hope we really perform once the season starts.' The Patriots led the NFL with more than $100 million in salary cap space when the legal tampering period opened earlier this week. And they haven't been shy about spending it, handing out contracts to the five players they announced Thursday that total nearly $270 million in maximum value. It's far less than that in guaranteed dollars, but the commitment is clear. The four-year, $104 million deal for Williams, who is coming off winning the Super Bowl with Philadelphia, makes him the top-paid player in Patriots history by average annual value. While Williams acknowledged there were teams bidding for his services at the start of free agency, he said the Patriots' pursuit won out. 'The Patriots were the ones that wanted me the most,' Williams said. 'They believed and I'm going to try to give it back to them the best that I can.' Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said that includes playing more snaps than he did with the Eagles. And that's fine by Williams. 'The more you're out there the more opportunity you have to make plays. I pride myself on being productive,' said Williams, who is coming off a career-high five sacks. 'I just want to be known as doing it all.' At just 25 years old, Williams is part of what is shaping up as a shift to get younger this offseason in New England. That has been evident with the departures of longtime center David Andrews, who was released Thursday, along with the exits of veterans such as defensive lineman Deatrich Wise Jr. and cornerback Jonathan Jones. Another player, defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, was traded Thursday to New Orleans to make room for the new attacking style of defense that Vrabel wants to implement. One of the other big offseason priorities for the Patriots is also protecting quarterback Drake Maye as he enters his second NFL season. Moses' three-year, $24 million deal underscores that, and it's a challenge he said he will be embracing. He also believes the rebuilding process taking place in New England doesn't have to be a long one. 'You don't need a miracle to win football games,' Moses said. 'You just need the right people in the building.' Multiple players in this initial group of signings have ties to either Vrabel's time in Tennessee, or connections to new defensive coordinator Terrell Williams (who coached under Vrabel with the Titans). But Vrabel said it's less about targeting those players as the natural pace of free agency and leaning on relationships that are familiar to help make decisions. 'I don't know how you can do free agency any different,' Vrabel said. 'Just the timing that's involved in a lot of this stuff. It's important to me when Robert has entrusted Eliot and myself to bring in the right people on this football team.' ___ AP NFL:
