Calling Eliot Wolf’s Bluff After Draft Comments By Patriots Exec
There’s no problem with Eliot Wolf saying what he said. Following through on it, however, would be a major mistake by the Patriots.
“We’re just really excited to be able to go into the draft not forced to pick something,” the Patriots executive of player personnel told season-ticket holders, per MassLive’s Karen Guregian.
Wolf said the Patriots believe they addressed enough needs in free agency so they don’t have to draft for need in April. The problem? New England didn’t address its two biggest needs entering the offseason: left tackle and top-flight wide receiver.
During the latest episode of NESN’s “Boston Has Entered The Chat,” George Balekji and Sean McGuire called Wolf’s bluff. There’s no way the Patriots believe that or will operate with such mindset, right? Those positions need to be addressed with premier picks.
“I hope it’s gamesmanship at this point of the offseason,” McGuire said. “I hope Eliot Wolf is bluffing.”
The Patriots added talent in free agency with defensive tackle Milton Williams, cornerback Carlton Davis, edge rusher Harold Landy II, right tackle Morgan Moses and linebacker Robert Spillane, among others. It was a fine start. But New England also missed out on left tackle Cam Robinson and wide receiver Cooper Kupp, just to name a few.
“If you just go best available and it’s an edge rusher and a corner, what are you just going to have four really good corners and four really good edge rushers?” Balekji said. “But no left tackle? I don’t like that.”
New England now needs to address needs with the fourth overall pick and every selection after that.
There are various ways to do so, of course. Travis Hunter, if he agrees to play wide receiver, would address a need. Abdul Carter, the other blue-chip prospect with Hunter, would address a long-term need on the edge. And if neither of those two are available, as Balekji and McGuire said, the Patriots then need to concentrate on left tackle and wide receiver.
Doing anything other than that would be misguided confidence.