The New England Patriots substantially overhauled their offense during this offseason. The Patriots added talent to every level of the offense via free agency and the 2024 NFL Draft. A recent report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler explains how the Patriots almost landed one of their most coveted wide receivers in the draft.
Fowler reports that early in the draft process, the Patriots hoped a certain wide receiver would be available either at their second-round pick (34th overall) or in a trade up into the late first round. According to a source, that receiver was South Carolina’s Xavier Legette. This did not come to pass as the Carolina Panthers moved into the first round (up one spot from 33rd overall to 32nd overall) to grab Legette.
Xavier Legette profiles as a prototypical X receiver who boasts strong hands and surprising short-area quickness. Legette is a physical receiver who plays strong and can come down with contested catches.
As a result of Carolina’s move, New England took much of Friday to shop around their second-round pick. The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to a trade with the Patriots, allowing New England to move down to 37th overall and gain additional picks. The Patriots then selected wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk at 37. New England reportedly had Polk rated as one of their top six or seven receivers in the entire draft, so they must have been thrilled to select him and gain extra draft picks. However, they missed out on Legette.
Polk is built similarly to Legette. He has great jump-ball talent and is an excellent route runner. One aspect of his game that the Patriots are sure to like is his high effort when run blocking. He may not be Xavier Legette, but the Patriots got a good one.
Previewing the 2024 New England Patriots offense
The Patriots will enter the 2024 NFL season with a new head coach and new-look offense.
New England added a variety of role players via free agency, including QB Jacoby Brissett, versatile running back Antonio Gibson, and savvy wide receiver K.J. Osborn. The Patriots followed up in the 2024 NFL Draft with several picks on offense. They started by selecting UNC’s Drake Maye to be their new franchise QB. The Patriots also added Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, which gives the team a huge number of wide receivers who will compete for roster spots throughout the summer and preseason. Finally, New England spent a late-round pick on Tennessee QB Joe Milton III, giving the Patriots four QBs including Bailey Zappe.
Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye will compete for starting snaps at QB, with Maye expected to overcome Brissett at some point throughout the season.
Rhamondre Stevenson will remain the team’s lead back, complemented with Antonio Gibson on passing downs.
The starting wide receivers for the Patriots are hard to predict considering how many guys will be competing for roles. Veteran Kendrick Bourne and last year’s breakout DeMario Douglas have the inside track to start with Ja’Lynn Polk the most likely to be a reliable third option.
The 2024 Patriots will face an uphill battle in a stacked AFC East.
Latest Pats Report Creates Uncertainty Around Eliot Wolf
The New England Patriots may not be all-in on Eliot Wolf with the latest report.
Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf during the / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
It’s been an offseason of change for the New England Patriots. Bill Belichick was let go after spending 24 years with the Patriots.
They decided to hire Jerod Mayo as the head coach and had Eliot Wolf as the director of scouting, taking over since Belichick was let go. They also selected Drake Maye with the third overall pick to make him the new franchise quarterback.
Although they have a new coach, and quarterback, the Pats are in the market for an official general manager.
The latest report adds some uncertainty surrounding Wolf.
The search process for the next head of New England Patriots football operations is underway, sources tell @NFLonCBS. The Pats had planned to wait until after the draft, and now the wheels are in motion https://t.co/Vbq4pD405r
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) May 6, 2024
Patriots News: New England Is Looking For The Head of Football Operations
According to Jonathan Jones of CBSSports, the Patriots are in the process of hiring their next football executive, a role that is known as an NFL general manager.
Wolf is expected to be in the running but it’s unclear how the roles will be divided.
Evan Lazar of Patriots.com gave an interesting point on how the setup would be with Wolf. No one knows if Wolf will work with this person, get this role himself, or be the second man in charge.
The question is will that person be working in conjunction with Eliot Wolf, replace him, or will Wolf just get the title himself?
Wonder if the #Patriots would be interested in a Neely-Sweeney setup where Wolf is the GM, but there’s someone above him overseeing the operation. https://t.co/Iz1vIvpSIf
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) May 6, 2024
One thing that’s clear is that New England wants another influential voice in the building. The timing is a bit odd due to free agency and the NFL Draft officially wrapped up.
Nonetheless, it appears that New England and owner Robert Kraft want to have someone oversee the entire football operation.
With a new era in Foxborough, the Pats are looking to add another presence to the front office. Will it be Wolf or is someone else coming into the building? Only time will tell but the Pats are interested in listening to others outside of New England.
