For thirteen years, Eliot Wolf held official titles for the Green Bay Packers, from pro personnel assistant to director of football operations. His time in Green Bay goes back even farther than that, as he grew up watching his father, Ron, continuously architect talented rosters for the Packers. Eliot never rose to take over as General Manager, like his father had, and left the Packers organization in 2018. But along the way, he had his share of memorable moments in Green Bay.
Flash forward to 2022, and Wolf served as the New England Patriots Director of Scouting. With Bill Belichick no longer running the show, Wolf takes over as the organization’s General Manager. Since New England sits with the third overall pick, Wolf is the one former Packers executive who could shape the NFL Draft.
One Former Green Bay Packers Executive Who Could Shape the NFL Draft
A Family History
Ron Wolf single-handedly shaped the trajectory of the Green Bay Packers franchise in 1992 when he traded for Brett Favre. At the time just a backup quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, Wolf saw in Favre something special. His decision to send a second-round pick to Atlanta paid off when Favre hoisted a Lombardi Trophy a few years later and went on to secure three MVP awards. More than that, Wolf’s decision unscored the value of adding quarterbacks. It seems simple, but Green Bay has done this better than just about any other team in the NFL. Over the last three decades, that model has led the Packers to mold the likes of Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love. Even with Love entrenched as the starter, Green Bay is a team that could still draft a quarterback in 2024.
Where Eliot Wolf and the Patriots come into the picture is how the 2024 NFL Draft will be dominated by the quarterbacks. New England is a team that needs a quarterback of the future. Since Tom Brady retired, the Patriots have tried unsuccessfully to fill the void. From Jarrett Stidham and Cam Newton to Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe, the Patriots have struck out since Brady left town. Wolf is tasked with fixing the franchise and that starts with finding a franchise quarterback. He must first decide what to do with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Trade Out
For as much as Wolf’s upbringing suggests he will target a top quarterback in the NFL Draft, that is no guarantee. New England’s roster has decayed over the years and lacks star power at several positions. From receiver and running back, to cornerback and linebacker, the Patriots have questions to answer. The offensive line is no longer the strength that it once was in New England. While it’s tempting for Wolf to take a gamble on one of the top three quarterbacks in the draft, the decision could backfire significantly. Teams like the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, and even the Los Angeles Chargers have proven that a blue-chip quarterback is just one piece of the puzzle. All three teams have been able to draft top-five talents at quarterback in the last decade, but none have advanced past the Divisional Round in the playoffs.
New England is in the unique position to parlay one bad season into a bounty of draft picks. It has also been reported that Wolf wants to stockpile draft picks. Teams like the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, and Atlanta Falcons are all rumored to be candidates to trade up in the draft. By owning the third-overall pick, the Patriots effectively control the draft. Wolf will be tasked with deciding if the organization would be better off taking a trade package that should include multiple first-round picks for the future, or if they need their quarterback now.
Patch it Together
Given the names on the market, the Patriots would be better off signing a quarterback when free agency opens. Adding Jacoby Brisett, who has ties to Alex Van Pelt, could be a fit. So could a player like Gardner Minshew. It’s unlikely that the Patriots will be able to coax Kirk Cousins to sign with them, but they could still land a player like Ryan Tannehill. One of those veteran quarterbacks would give the Patriots flexibility in the draft. They would each represent an upgrade over Jones and Zappe.
But once the draft rolls around, the Patriots are almost guaranteed to add a young quarterback—or two. Names like Bo Nix or Spencer Rattler could be strong fits for the Patriots. Nix has the higher floor of the two, while Rattler has the higher ceiling. Both players represent different approaches for New England, but both are names to watch as the draft rolls around. No matter which route the Patriots take, it’s clear that Wolf will be one executive that could shape the NFL Draft.
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