Before ultimately selecting a general manager after the annual event, New England will rely on various front office figures. Currently, Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf will have the final say during the three-day event at the NFL Scouting Combine. In a recent Q&A with the media, Wolf seemingly took a shot at former head coach Bill Belichick, stating that the Patriots’ culture will have “less of a hard-a** vibe” following Belichick’s near-quarter century run in New England. It’s difficult not to interpret this as a direct criticism of Belichick, who not only coached the team but also managed the personnel department during his tenure. Belichick and Tom Brady were the faces of the Patriots’ dynasty before parting ways in January.
Wolf emphasized that the Patriots will have a different approach to this year’s NFL Draft compared to when Belichick was in charge. The focus will be more on the process, with a revamped grading system that is similar to what was used in Green Bay. The previous system was more value-based and focused on assigning roles to players. The new system makes it easier for scouts to evaluate players and rank them based on their overall value. The Patriots have struggled in recent years with their draft picks, such as selecting Mac Jones as Brady’s replacement in 2021, and N’Keal Harry in the first round of the 2019 draft. The team currently holds the No. 3 pick and may consider trading down or selecting a top quarterback at the NFL Combine.
