The next tentpole event on the NFL calendar is the Annual League Meeting at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida, this week.
At Monday morning's AFC Coaches Breakfast, head coach Mike Vrabel spoke to the media about the state of the Patriots inside one month until the 2025 NFL Draft. Among the many topics surrounding the team, Vrabel gave his impressions of the offseason so far following an aggressive free agency, where the Pats added several new players, including DT Milton Williams, WR Stefon Diggs, CB Carlton Davis, and others.
"We won March, which is comical, right? We're never just trying to win March. We want to try to be ready when the season goes, and it's a long process," Vrabel said. "What we've done has been exciting. It's been fun to come to work. There's an energy in the building, which I'm proud of, that when I hear from people around the building that maybe have been there, that makes me happy that everybody is excited."
After making the signing official last week, this was the Patriots head coach's first formal press conference since the team signed star receiver Stefon Diggs. The four-time Pro Bowler is a key signing to bolster New England's playmakers around second-year QB Drake Maye, with the hope that Diggs can bounce back from a severe knee injury. The 31-year-old was on-pace for another 100-catch, 1,000-yard season in Houston a year ago before tearing his ACL last October.
"Stefon [Diggs] brings an energy to him. It's fun to coach players like that. Guys that have confidence to them that understand the game of football. That have been around," Vrabel said. "This isn't like a first-round draft pick. Stefon went later in the draft and continued to improve. [Diggs] has continued to be productive each and every year, but I love his energy. Looking forward to getting him back there and helping him recover from the surgery."
On when the team expects Diggs to be ready to play coming off the injury, Vrabel said, "[I] try to stay away from timelines and predictions. He's working hard to get back, which is exciting. By all accounts, everything is on schedule, and we feel good about where his rehab is."
Although the buzz around the team following free agency is undeniable, Vrabel also discussed some of the remaining holes on the roster and gave insight into players the Patriots could potentially target with the No. 4 overall pick in April's draft. When it comes to the draft, Vrabel gave a simple answer when asked about the Patriots plans in the first round.
"You tell me who goes one, two, and three, and I'll tell you who goes four," Vrabel joked. The Pats head coach also didn't rule out trading out of the No. 4 pick for the right trade package.
Here are five more takeaways from the Patriots head coach's press conference at the Annual League Meetings.
1. Vrabel Addresses the Current State of the Left Tackle Position
On paper, the biggest need for the Patriots at this juncture is left tackle as New England continues to rebuild an offensive line that was statistically among the worst in the NFL in 2024.
During the initial wave of free agency, the Patriots shored up the right tackle spot by signing steady veteran Morgan Moses, which likely locks in fifth-year pro Mike Onwenu at right guard. New England also signed former Vikings starting center Garrett Bradbury, so it seems three-fifths of the offensive line is penciled in with starters. However, the left side of the line, mainly the premium position of left tackle on Maye's blindside, could use an infusion of talent.
"The plan is to continue to evaluate our roster and see who's there that we can continue to try to work [at left tackle]. Caedan [Wallace] is certainly going to get an opportunity there as the roster is currently constructed, and Vededrian [Lowe] is going to be coming back," Vrabel told reporters.
Although everyone deserves a chance to compete, Vrabel acknowledged that the Patriots will be looking for offensive tackle help in the draft. Lowe was New England's primary starting left tackle last season, ranking 69th out of 81 qualified tackles in Pro Football Focus grade. As for Wallace, the 2024 third-rounders rookie season was derailed by a severe ankle injury, while the Penn State product was mainly a right tackle in college. Based on the ups and downs that the Patriots had at the position a year ago, New England will likely add a highly drafted rookie into the mix.
"The draft is going to be a good option for us. There's a lot of guys in the draft that we like at a lot of different levels. I'm confident between now and the time that the season starts that we're going to have something that we believe in and a plan that is going to help us," Vrabel added.
2. Vrabel Discusses Top OT Prospects Will Campbell and Armand Membou
After discussing the current state of the left tackle position, Vrabel was asked about top tackle prospects Will Campbell (LSU) and Armand Membou (Missouri).
From this perspective, both tackles are considerations for the Patriots with the fourth overall pick. However, Campbell and Membou both have question marks. The LSU product lacks the ideal length to play offensive tackle, measuring at the seventh percentile for arm length (32 ⅝") while registering the shortest wingspan for an offensive tackle at the NFL Combine since at least 1999 (77 ⅜"). Membou is a cleaner projection to stick at tackle based on his measurables (6-4, 332 pounds, 33 ½" arms), but exclusively played right tackle at the University of Missouri.
"They're great young, talented players that have great film. Will has a lot of snaps at left tackle. Membou has played right, but there's a lot of guys that have played right and left and switched. Those are two good young players to talk about in that conversation," Vrabel said.
To the Pats HC's point on Membou flipping sides, two notable NFL tackles who have gone from right to left are Bucs All-Pro Tristan Wirfs and future Hall of Famer Tryon Smith. The Patriots head coach was then specifically asked about Campbell remaining at offensive tackle, with many suggesting that the LSU product will move inside to guard in the NFL.
"I think you have to [view Campbell as a tackle prospect]," Vrabel said. "I don't understand how you can watch him play in the SEC, which is the best conference in college football, against guys that are going to get drafted at that position. I don't think you have to project it. You can just actually watch and say there's his snaps at left tackle, evaluate it, and see what you think."
Based on the head coach's remarks, the Patriots are actively looking for offensive tackle help in April's draft, with Vrabel pointing to options throughout the draft for New England at the position.
3. What About Heisman Winner Travis Hunter for the Patriots at No. 4 Overall?
Along with sharing his view on the top offensive tackle prospects in this year's draft class, Vrabel was also asked about two-way sensation Travis Hunter as a possibility for the Patriots.
Besides whether or not the reigning Heisman Trophy winner will be available at No. 4, the sticking point with Hunter is which side of the ball he will major in as a pro. Most view Hunter as a better cornerback than a wide receiver, but there's a case to be made that the Colorado product would make a bigger impact by primarily focusing on offense. The Patriots head coach wouldn't put any limits on Hunter.
"I don't know how anybody could say how hard it would be. We've never seen a player necessarily do it. There are some things that he can improve on by probably concentrating more on just one position, but never going to put any restrictions on Travis or any player," said Vrabel. "We'd be open to playing everybody that we had at more than one position, anything that would help the football team."
From this perspective, Hunter's game-breaking speed and hands make him the best wide receiver prospect in this year's draft. If he focuses on receiver, the route-running nuances will develop, like many players who have won with raw athleticism at the college level. For example, many pundits considered Giants star WR Malik Nabers to be an unpolished route-runner, but Nabers made up for it with electric play speed.
Although he's a great cornerback prospect, and we wouldn't rule out him playing both ways, the impact Hunter could have as an offensive playmaker for a team like the Patriots is indisputable.
4. Will the Patriots Draft the Best Player Available in the First Round?
Another popular talking point around the Patriots during this draft cycle is that New England should draft the best player available with the fourth overall pick rather than focusing on need.
For example, most believe that the Patriots biggest need currently is left tackle. However, if, let's say, RB Ashton Jeanty or DT Mason Graham are the highest-graded players on their board, then some would say New England should draft them rather than an OT. Vrabel addressed the Patriots mindset regarding their approach at the top of the draft.
"I just think you have to be careful. Hopefully, those two things can come together and align when you're drafting. But we certainly want to add premium players at the top of the draft and throughout the draft. That's our goal," Vrabel said.
Vrabel's stance on the topic hits on something that we've discussed many times. The fourth-overall pick needs a path to be a major contributor as a rookie while fitting into the current roster construction. For instance, Graham is a great prospect, but the vision for him might be similar to Christian Barmore and Milton Williams's role, so do all three pieces fit together? Secondly, this is a draft where several players could be graded similarly once you get past blue-chippers like Hunter and pass-rusher Abdul Carter. Given that, things like positional value and need could push the Patriots toward a particular player over another.
Although it's important not to reach too much for need in the draft, you can't just ignore how a player fits into the roster and scheme, especially when you're drafting that high, where there's a lot riding on making the player the Patriots select with the fourth pick work in their system.
5. Vrabel Gives Positive Update on DT Christian Barmore (blood clots)
Another positive from Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel at the AFC Coaches Breakfast was that stud DT Christian Barmore's health (blood clots) is trending in the right direction.
After returning from a bout with blood clots for four games last season, Barmore was shut down for a second time in mid-December with recurring symptoms. The Patriots signed the 25-year-old to a lucrative contract extension last offseason after a breakout 2023 campaign, where Barmore logged 8.5 sacks and a team-best 49 total pressures.
"By all accounts, I think he's going to participate in the voluntary offseason program," Vrabel said. "I know that he's feeling better. We'll continue to evaluate him. That's something very serious. We take the health of our players extremely seriously, especially when you're talking about something like blood clots, and we're going to have a great plan for him."
Barmore's long-term health is the most important thing here. Still, imagining a defensive line of Barmore, Keion White, and free-agent addition Milton Williams is exciting. Hopefully, we'll be able to see that trio work together this upcoming season
6. Joint Practices with the Vikings and Commanders on the Docket?
Lastly, the Patriots head coach confirmed a report from ESPN's Mike Reiss that New England is in talks with the Vikings and Commanders about holding joint practices during training camp this summer. Washington would like to practice in Foxborough, while the Patriots are interested in traveling to Minnesota to practice against the Vikings, per Vrabel.
Although it wasn't for long, Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell, a former Patriots draft pick, overlapped with Vrabel for one season in New England (2008). It's now in the league's hands to put Minnesota and Washington on the Patriots preseason slate so that the practices can occur. Typically, the NFL tries to oblige when teams make these requests.
DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer
