The New England Patriots are slowly beginning to map out their plans for the upcoming NFL season, and newly appointed head coach Mike Vrabel has already had to make some key decisions. One of them was the trade of Joe Milton III to the Dallas Cowboys, as the young quarterback was not part of the coaching staff’s plans moving forward.
In recent comments to the media, Vrabel was asked about the situation of the former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback, who ultimately became Dak Prescott’s new backup in Dallas. The Patriots’ head coach took the opportunity to express his full support for Drake Maye and Joshua Dobbs.
“Well, we felt like his reps were going to be decreased as we worked through the offseason. We felt like – just like every other decision – that we’re going to try to do what’s best for the team, and that’s the decision that we ultimately made,” Vrabel said.
“So, we’re excited to move forward with Drake [Maye] and Josh [Dobbs]. That’s going to be a tough one for me to continue to say over and over is Drake and Josh. So, I appreciate it, guys. Again, I want to thank our scouts; I want to thank our personnel department for getting me brought up to speed in this process and our coaching staff.”
New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III
A crucial Draft ahead for the Patriots
Like many franchises across the league, New England finds itself in a pivotal position heading into the NFL Draft — an event where they could select the potential future cornerstone of the team. Addressing the media, head coach Mike Vrabel made it clear what the Patriots’ main objective will be heading into draft weekend.
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“We certainly want to pick the best player as many times as we can,” Vrabel said. “The player that we think at that point is the best player and then we’ll figure it out. Maybe you look at one position and then we may have some returning starters — or we feel like are starters — or there’s depth at that position. But to add premium players when available is something that you should probably always try to do.”
Key positions the Patriots need to address in the Draft
With the NFL Draft fast approaching, the New England Patriots could look to address several key areas of need as they reshape the roster. One of the top priorities may be strengthening the offensive line to better protect QB Drake Maye, who’s expected to be a long-term cornerstone for the franchise. Investing in a versatile and reliable offensive tackle could provide Maye with the stability he needs to develop, especially after a season where protection issues were a recurring theme.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Patriots could target dynamic playmakers to bolster both their front seven and secondary. Penn State linebacker Abdul Carter might be an ideal fit to add speed and explosiveness to the linebacker corps, while Travis Hunter — the elite two-way talent out of Colorado — could offer rare versatility, contributing as both a lockdown corner and a potential offensive weapon. If available, Hunter could give New England a game-changing presence on both sides of the ball, something the franchise hasn’t had in years.
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Which position should the Patriots prioritize in the Draft?
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