Eliot Wolf: Bring Patriots Back to ‘Respectability’; Draft Quarterback No. 3?
As the New England Patriots march forward into a new era, director of scouting Eliot Wolf made it abundantly clear that he is longer operating in the shadows.
In fact, the 41-year-old was quite transparent when revealing his role in the upcoming NFL Draft to reporters Tuesday morning at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
“Our job is to improve the team and get us back to respectability,” Wolf said from his Lucas Oil Stadium dais. "It's gonna be a collaborative effort. Coach [Jerod] Mayo, myself, Matt Groh, the whole staff … But, at the end of the day somebody has to make that pick and that will be myself."
Cred: USA Today Sports Images
Since 2022, Wolf has served as the Patriots director of scouting — becoming the first to hold the title in the organization. He originally joined the team prior to the 2020 season, where he worked alongside former coach Bill Belichick in the team’s front office. During that span, he has handled scouting duties, as well as holding the role of player personnel consultant. According to those within the organization, Wolf has served as a key Draft consultant, while also being a key participant in the pursuit of veteran free agents and trade targets.
In addition to his impressive resume, Wolf also possesses plenty of pedigree for the role. As the son of Hall of Fame executive Ron Wolf — who built a Super Bowl champion for the Green Bay Packers and contributed to others with the Raiders organization — he had a front-row seat for a masterclass in team building. In fact, former Packers head coach Mike Sherman, who has both known and worked with Wolf since 1997, believes the time he spent with his father in the draft room will be an invaluable asset this season.
"Learning from Ron, who I consider the very best at that part of the business, [Eliot has] been surrounded by this his whole life,”Sherman said, as transcribed by ESPN's Mike Reiss. “I think he's benefited from it quite handsomely."
However, Eliot Wolf is far from being a novice to the process. He has also spent time with both the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns, holding executive titles in both scouting and assistant general manager. Since Mayo’s hiring, Wolf was intricately involved in the interview process for his assistants. New Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, offensive assistant Ben McAdoo and defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery have all worked with Wolf during their mutual time with either (or both) the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns. Wolf will also work closely with former University of Miami general manager Alonzo Highsmith, and ex Houston Texans associate director of football administration Bobby Brown in the Pats front office.
Ultimately, Wolf’s combination of finesse and filiation has placed him in position to select the primiary cornerstone on which the Patriots will rebuild their struggling franchise. Though he expressed a desire to discuss said player’s identity “behind the scenes,” his comments appears to imply that New England will be taking a strong look at the quarterback position with the third overall selection.
“I think it’s a really good year for quarterbacks,” Wolf said. We have to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses and determine what’s best for the team.”
Though their roster has several positions of need, New England is expected to make a change at quarterback. After starting 11 games this season, incumbent starter Mac Jones was displaced by backup Bailey Zappe prior to Week 12. Through his 11 games in 2023, Jones completed 224 passes for 2,120 yards, with 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The Pats 2021 first-round (No. 15 overall) draft selection routinely exhibited an inability to make sound decisions when most-needed. His struggles led to a foundering of both his confidence and his mechanics — as well as his being benched in five of New England’s games. Though Zappe played with greater confidence and play-making ability, he statistically did not fare much better than Jones. The second-year quarterback completed 63 percent of his passes for 1,272 yards, six touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Accordingly, Wolf and the Patriots are looking for a franchise fit, who is not only capable of playing the game at a high-level, but also handling the additional pressures which are certain to arise as an NFL quarterback. As a result, New England will remain linked to top positional options such as USC’s Caleb Williams, UNC’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels — all of which Wolf confirmed will meet with the Pats this week.
“All of them look like they’re really tough guys,” Wolf said of the aforementioned prospects. “But for us, it’s about talking to the right people and asking the right questions. We want to do right by the player, but we also want someone who can elevate their teammates… be a players that others want to play for … we have to determine who can handle being the quarterback of the New England Patriots.
Still, for as committed as Wolf and Patriots seem to be in drafting their subsequent franchise quarterback, the long-term future of the organization will remain priority one. Much to the chagrin of the fan base, that seemingly includes trading the No. 3 pick, should the right deal arise.
“All options are on the table,” Wolf said when asked about their willingness to trade the coveted commodity. “But we haven’t head anything specifically.”
With contingents from all 32 NFL teams in currently in Indianapolis, business is about to pick up for the Pats young, yet eager brain trust, led by Wolf.
