Seven Thoughts After Patriots’ Mike Vrabel Speaks At NFL Meetings

Mike Vrabel might need a break at The Breakers.

The New England Patriots head coach covered just about everything speaking to reporters for 34 minutes Monday at the annual league meeting in Palm Beach, Fla.

Vrabel weighed in on offseason moves, the impending NFL draft, the recent signing of Stefon Diggs, provided a health update on Christian Barmore and even confirmed he’s against banning the “tush push.”

Here are seven thoughts after Vrabel’s press conference that was shared by the Patriots:

They’re excited about what they’ve accomplished … thus far
“We won March. We won March. Amazing,” said a sarcastic Vrabel.

With that said, however, it’s clear Vrabel is excited about what the Patriots have accomplished from a roster-building standpoint.

“It’s been fun to come to work. There’s an energy in the building, which I am proud of,” Vrabel said. “When I hear that from people around the building, that maybe have been there, that makes me happy — that everybody is excited, and there’s an energy about coming to work and ultimately trying to help the players.”

Patriots fans should be more optimistic and enthusiastic, as well.

Unsurprisingly, there’s no real clarity on left tackle
Players on the current roster like second-year offensive tackle Caedan Wallace and Vederian Lowe could be in the mix at left tackle, Vrabel said, while the draft is another avenue.

It’s understandable why Vrabel would mention Wallace and Lowe given they’re on the current roster. Expecting either to headline the depth chart in September would be a mistake, however. After missing out on a few options in free agency, it should be addressed in the draft. And maybe it will given Vrabel’s comments on offensive tackle prospects Will Campbell and Armand Membou, specifically.

“I think they’re great, young, talented players that have great film,” Vrabel said. “Those are two good, young players to talk about in that conversation. But there’s others throughout the draft, as well.”

Don’t sleep on Vrabel’s opinion of Campbell
Vrabel believes Campbell should be viewed as a left tackle and not a guard. Vrabel isn’t interested in the ongoing arm-length debate. He’s prioritizing the tape.

“I think you have to (view Campbell as a tackle),” Vrabel said. “I don’t understand how you could 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. So I don’t think you have to project it, you can just watch and say, ‘There’s the snaps at left tackle,’ evaluate it and see what you think.”

If Vrabel believes that, it makes it more likely the Patriots draft Campbell at No. 4.

Vrabel’s answer to the big question
The biggest question leading up to the draft: Will the Patriots draft for need, or will they take the best player available? Vrabel hopes the answer is both.

“I just think you have to be careful, hopefully those two things can come together and align when you’re drafting,” Vrabel said. “But we certainly want to add premium players at top of draft and throughout the draft. That’s our goal.”

Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter, the two blue-chip talents in the class, would fit both categories. Vrabel’s comments hint the Patriots wouldn’t pass on either if they were available. That’s the right approach in that situation.

If neither is available, the Patriots have Campbell and/or Membou right behind Hunter and Carter. Coincidentally, that would check both boxes as they would be the best available players and fill the biggest need. That would then be the right approach.

Vrabel making a concerted effort in key area
Offensive line coach Doug Marrone will have a pair of assistants working under him in Jason Houghtaling and Robert Kugler. Vrabel acknowledged it’s uncommon to have two assistants working with the same position group but explained what led him to the decision.

“Usually that third position is a younger quality control coach, but I’m excited about having three guys — it’s a tough position to develop,” Vrabel said. “So in the spring if we can have three guys working with four or five players, smaller groups, that can be really beneficial.”

The smaller the class size, the more time each student gets with the teacher, right? Getting more 1-on-1 time with coaches would also help, Vrabel believes the Patriots can be more efficient with their time, prevent burnout on the staff and ultimately aid in the development of the vital position group.

Potential opponents for joint practices would be fun
The Patriots have discussed holding joint practices with the Washington Commanders and Minnesota Vikings, Vrabel said. It likely would mean Jayden Daniels and company travel to Foxboro, Mass., putting Drake Maye and Daniels on the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium. New England then would travel to Minnesota, meaning 1-on-1s between Justin Jefferson and Christian Gonzalez. Those would make for some exciting matchups in August.

A newcomer could be in the running for captaincy
The Patriots had a mass exodus in leadership this offseason. Captains David Andrews, Deatrich Wise and Ja’Whaun Bentley, along with veteran leader Jonathan Jones, won’t return. Vrabel tried to downplay such exodus by expressing how captaincy is a year-to-year commitment.

“I think there’s going to be opportunities for everybody whether they’ve been in the league eight or nine years, or they’ve been in the league one or two years,” Vrabel said. “They’ll be some rookies. They’ll be plenty of opportunities for guys to lead and create a new identity for us and this football team going forward.”

Feels like linebacker Robert Spillane could be in the mix as a first-year Patriots captain after Vrabel said Spillane could be in the running to wear the green dot.