Patriots

Takeaways: Eliot Wolf joins Adam Schefter to talk Bill Belichick, Drake Maye, and draft day trades

Patriots de facto GM Eliot Wolf joined Adam Schefter Tuesday to reflect on the highly-anticipated 2024 NFL Draft.

By Faith Pinnow

May 7, 2024

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Email
• Email

Sixteen days ago, Patriots de facto general manager Eliot Wolf made one of the biggest decisions of his career. The first-year GM — who has still yet to be awarded an official title — drafted UNC quarterback Drake Maye with the third overall pick in the 2024 Draft. 

The highly-anticipated selection, which came after months of speculation, elicited a largely positive response from players, fans, and analysts alike. 

The Maye selection is just one piece of the rebuild puzzle, however. The de facto GM joined “The Adam Schefter Show” Tuesday to break down everything from New England’s draft strategy to Bill Belichick. 

Here are five takeaways from Wolf and Schefter’s post-draft conversation.

High marks for the 2024 NFL Draft

Wolf, who has been working in scouting since 2004, knows the value of being a process-driven team. That’s why his scouting method revolved around hatching a game plan early and sticking to it. 

“I think it went pretty well,” Wolf said. “The process was pretty good with the coaches, the medical staff, the scouts obviously. For the most part we were all on the same page and stayed on the same page before the decisions were being made.”

Despite there being “a run” on positions that the Patriots needed to fill, Wolf said they were still able to draft the players they wanted — another factor that he attributed to the scouting group’s plan.

“The board fell pretty well for us in terms of the positions we needed to acquire,” Wolf said. “We were still able to get players we wanted, that we targeted, even though the board was getting pretty thin at that point.”

Operation ‘Develop Drake’

For months, the rumor mill churned out options for the Patriots’ third overall pick. Reports emerged about LSU’s Jayden Daniels, Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, and even Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. 

Amidst all of the speculation, however, Wolf and his team were quietly honing in on Maye.

“There were several players available that we liked. As the process went along in the spring, we were pretty confident — and excited about that — especially the more and more time that we were able to spend around him,” Wolf said about the 6-foot-4, 229-pound signal-caller.

What sets Maye apart from the others? According to Wolf, it wasn’t just his production, grittiness, or athleticism. 

“His character. His passion for football. His drive. He’s an all around good person. He’s tough, he comes from a good family,” Wolf said. “I could go on and on about him. Those things will move forward with us and as he assimilates into our locker room I think our players will rally around him.”

There was never “a bag” offered for the No. 3 pick

Mayo revealed in March that the Patriots were open to a trade down from the No. 3 overall pick for the right price — a haul he referred to as “a bag.”

But how close was Wolf really to trading down from the No. 3 overall pick?

“Not close, not close,” Wolf said. “We were listening throughout the process, we weren’t stringing these teams along. The opportunity to pick Drake superseded anything that anyone offered.”

Schefter corroborated the statement, adding that he communicated with a Patriots personnel member on draft day to inquire about the status of a trade. 

“I said ‘What are the chances you trade that pick?’ and the response I got back was ‘zero chance,’” Schefter said.

Compliment and compete

While the Patriots thoroughly indicated their support for Maye, the 21-year-old Tar Heel isn’t a shoe-in to start Week 1. 

New England signed veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett at the beginning of free agency to shore up their struggling offense. And while the two will be competing for a starting spot, Wolf said Brissett can compliment Maye by helping with the transition of the rookie QB. 

“We had the opportunity to bring [Brissett] in, we were very up front with him about the role. Like ‘We’re likely going to draft a quarterback at some point in the draft and how do you feel about that? Are you willing to compete with someone like that?’” Wolf said. “We’re excited about his ability in the room to help whoever the young guy is, and maybe that’s while he’s playing.”

Lessons from Bill Belichick

“I’ve never met anyone who loves football more than coach Belichick,” Wolf said about the former longtime New England coach. 

Wolf, who joined the organization in 2020 as a consultant, had the opportunity to work alongside Belichick before he parted ways with the team in January. Despite only spending a few years together, Wolf says he gained a different perspective from the coach.

“Listening to coach Belichick break down a few plays in a team meeting is one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had in the NFL,” Wolf recalled. “He sees things and talks about things in a way I would’ve never even imagined.”

Wolf, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and longtime Packers GM Ron Wolf, grew up around football greatness. Still, he credits Belichick with being one of the brightest minds in the sport.

“I’ll always cherish the time that we spent together,” Wolf said.