Don Sweeney Addresses Bruins’ Goalie Rotation Plan For Playoffs
The Bruins largely were consistent with their goalie rotation in the regular season, but it’s unknown how head coach Jim Montgomery will utilize Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Ullmark was the starter throughout the first round of the playoffs last season, but Swayman got the nod in the Bruins’ pivotal Game 7 against the Florida Panthers. Montgomery admitted he would have changed how he handled the situation after Boston was bounced out of the first round.
Montgomery told reporters after this year’s regular-season finale that his plans for the postseason likely would be known before puck drop for Game 1 on Saturday.
General manager Don Sweeney praised the Bruns’ goalie duo and was confident with the team’s plan for the playoffs.
“We’re very confident in our goaltending. I think it’s been the strength of our hockey club certainly in the past two years,” Sweeney told reporters Thursday, per the Bruins. “And the noise that goes on outside doesn’t filter inside, as many people may believe, because our goalies know what the plan is. They know what their strengths are for our hockey club and how much we rely on them. And performance and results will dictate some of this. But we know what the plan is going in and so do they. And we’re comfortable with it.”
Sweeney said it wasn’t his job to reveal the plan when asked what it was specifically, so fans likely will have to wait until Saturday to see who gets the starting nod for Game 1 against the Toronto Maple Leafs at TD Garden.
NFL Insider Would Be ‘Very Surprised’ By This Patriots Draft Move
The New England Patriots have the chance to find their next franchise quarterback with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
It could be North Carolina’s Drake Maye. It could be LSU’s Jayden Daniels. It could be an alternate world where the Patriots trade out to accumulate more picks.
NFL insider Peter Schrager projected Maye to New England in his latest mock draft and believes quarterback is still the direction at that pick for the Patriots.
“From what I’ve heard, the Patriots are very, very into both Maye and Daniels,” Schrager shared on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Thursday. “Whatever Washington does at No. 2 or if a team trades up for No. 2, I think the Patriots (take a) quarterback at No. 3.”
Eliot Wolf leads the charge for New England as the team’s director of scouting. After nearly a quarter century of Bill Belichick leading the war room, Wolf steps into a leading role with the future of the Patriots’ rebuild in the hands of his staff.
“Now, he’s got this Patriots gig,” Schrager assessed. “It’s big shoes to fill obviously with who he’s replacing in making those decisions.”
While trading out for more picks and the avenue to pursue an impact offensive tackle or wide receiver, Schrager understands how desperately the Patriots need a game-changing quarterback to start their path back to contention.
“I would be very surprised if they got cute,” Schrager said. “I know they have a lot of holes to fill, but don’t get cute. Take the quarterback here.”
The NFL draft begins in one week in Detroit.
Josh Allen Issues First Remarks About Bills’ Stefon Diggs Trade
As it stands, Josh Allen and the Bills will enter the 2024 NFL season without a legitimate No. 1 receiver.
Buffalo lost that luxury when it traded four-time Pro Bowl selection Stefon Diggs earlier this month. The blockbuster deal with the Houston Texans went through the wire only a few weeks after the Bills lost No. 2 wideout Gabe Davis, who bolted to the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency.
The pair of transactions left Allen with arguably the worst wideout corps he’s been around since joining Buffalo in 2018. The star quarterback was asked specifically about the Diggs trade at a press conference Thursday.
“I guess that’s the nature of the business,” Allen told reporters, per Pro Football Talk. “And going into Year 7 now, it just kind of is what it is. I don’t get paid to make changes on the team, I get paid to be the best quarterback that I can be and try to lead the guys on this team.”
Allen revealed he and Diggs swapped texts after the trade went down, with the former thanking the latter for all he brought to the Bills across four seasons. The signal-caller also stressed he will always love Diggs “like a brother” and wishes “nothing but the best” for his now-former teammate.
Diggs and Allen are set to reunite in the coming months, as the Texans will host the Bills at some point in the regular season.
Should Patriots Accept This ‘King’s Ransom’ For No. 3 Pick?
The Patriots likely will receive multiple calls for the third overall pick, but it probably would take a massive offer for a trade to happen.
Head coach Jerod Mayo said it would take a “bag” to trade out of No. 3, and NBC Sports Boston’s Tom Curran reported the sentiment inside the organization is that it probably would take more than three first-round picks.
Sean Payton might be willing to go that far as the Denver Broncos head coach is willing to give up a “king’s ransom” to move up from No. 12 to select one of the top quarterbacks in the class, according to Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline. The NFL insider pointed out that the former New Orleans Saints head coach was infatuated with Patrick Mahomes but was unable to beat out the Kansas City Chiefs for the three-time Super Bowl champion. This has left a “bad taste” in Payton’s mouth, sources told Pauline. So he might not want to miss his chance this year.
Pauline said he was told J.J. McCarthy is the quarterback Payton has his eye on; for context, the NFL draft expert also reported Patriot’s de facto general manager was “pushing hard” to draft the Michigan product. Bo Nix also would be an option for Denver.
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As for what the Broncos would offer, they’d be willing to give up an All-Pro cornerback, according to the NFL insider.
“Any package to move up will include at least one future first-round pick as well as (Patrick) Surtain and the 12th selection in this year’s draft,” Pauline wrote.
That offer isn’t exactly the draft-pick haul New England reportedly would be interested in, but getting Surtain in the deal could offset that. The 24-year-old is among the best cornerbacks in the NFL and made two Pro Bowls and one All-Pro team in his first three NFL seasons. Cornerback isn’t a pressing need for the Patriots, but if Mayo wants a shutdown secondary, it could be a tempting offer. Courtland Sutton also might be on the trade block, so he could be an extra kicker to spice the deal. New England also could shift its focus to the likes of Nix or Michael Penix Jr. if it trades out of No. 3 but remains in the top 15.
What do you think about this hypothetical offer for the Patriots? Sound off in the comments.
Red Sox Catching Tandem Look to Stay Hot In Guardians Matchup
Red Sox catchers Reese McGuire and Connor Wong are looking to continue their excellent starts to the season.
The Boston catchers rank 3rd among MLB catching batteries with a .324 batting average and are tied for first with five homers.
Wong added to his hot start Wednesday night with a homer for the second consecutive night. In addition to the offense, he was behind the plate for pitcher Tanner Houck’s complete game shutout.
The 27-year-old will look to keep the hot streak going as he serves as the designated hitter in Thursday’s series finale against the Cleveland Guardians. McGuire, meanwhile, is behind the plate.
For more, check out the video above from “Red Sox First Pitch,” presented by Rodenhiser Home Services.
Eliot Wolf Doesn’t Feel This Is Patriots’ Only Option With First-Round Pick
FOXBORO, Mass. — Eliot Wolf and the New England Patriots have stressed they are “open for business” and could trade down from third overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Trading down from No. 3 would mean the Patriots are willing to pass on one of the top quarterback prospects. And if they trade back, it might mean New England does not select a first-round quarterback at all.
Wolf, the Patriots de facto general manager who will have final say on draft night, appears to be open to that scenario. He expressed such during a pre-draft news conference Thursday at Gillette Stadium.
When asked if he thought the Patriots needed to pick a quarterback in the first round, whether it be at No. 3 or later, Wolf simply responded, “No.”
Wolf did say, however, the Patriots would be “comfortable” with selecting a top quarterback. That’s what Patriots owner Robert Kraft would like Wolf and company to do.
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Ultimately (at least publicly), Wolf and the Patriots remain open to all options.
“We’re open to anything — moving up, moving down,” Wolf said. “We’re open for business in the first round and in every round.”
The Patriots have other needs besides quarterback. Two of their most pressing needs are considered to be offensive tackle and wide receiver.
Should the Patriots trade down from No. 3 and acquire more draft capital, they could draft top talent to address those holes. A well-documented trade partner could be the Minnesota Vikings, who hold two first-round picks (Nos. 11 and 23). The Patriots could select a franchise left tackle and a high-end receiver prospect at those spots, and then come back around for a quarterback.
“We have some holes we feel we have to fill in the draft,” Wolf said. “And we’re a draft-and-develop team; the more picks we have, the better. But if there’s an opportunity to move up and strike, if the board recommends it, then we won’t be afraid to pull the trigger on that, either.”
Whether Wolf is saying all this publicly as a way to throw other teams off New England’s scent remains to be seen. It certainly could be the case. But until the Patriots are on the clock at No. 3 overall, fans will have to wait.
Patriots’ Eliot Wolf Offers Sneak Peek Into Upcoming Draft Process
FOXBORO, Mass. — The Patriots have touted “collaboration” leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft, and it seems they’re going to practice what they preach when it comes down to the No. 3 pick.
Eliot Wolf, who will have the final say when all is said and done, spoke with reporters at Gillette Stadium on Thursday, giving insight into New England’s approach to the draft.
Wolf was asked about that “collaborative effort” we’ve all been hearing about, and sort of offered up a sneak peek into what the Patriots’ war room will look like on draft night.
“It’s a smaller group of people that we’ll talk to, both in the scouting side and the coaching side,” Wolf relayed. “Jerod (Mayo) and I (will get together) and kind of work through that with (director of player personnel) Matt Groh and whatever coordinator for that side of the ball and that’ll happen at every pick, that’s not just the first pick.”
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It’s been well-documented that Bill Belichick, the previous decision-maker on draft night, had a specific way of doing things. Belichick at times would go against the council of his scouts, which reportedly led to picks like N’Keal Harry in 2019.
Wolf is looking to avoid making similar mistakes.
“If I’m the only person that wants a player, and everybody else in the building doesn’t want that player — I’m not crazy,” Wolf said. “We’re going to try to do what’s right.”
It’s an important night at One Patriot Place, as the potential future of the franchise will be called upon. New England isn’t planning on letting anyone sway that decision single-handedly, though.
It’s a group effort.
Don Sweeney Updates Status Of Bruins Rookie For Postseason
Justin Brazeau has been out of the Bruins lineup for two weeks heading into the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, and it might take the rookie more time for a return.
The 26-year-old skated at Warrior Ice Arena on Thursday as he continued recovery from an upper-body injury suffered earlier this month. Brazeau was a solid contributor on Boston’s fourth line scoring five goals and recording two assists for seven points in 19 games.
Despite making progress in practice, general manager Don Sweeney told reporters the forward still is “week-to-week” and admitted his availability for the start of the Bruins’ first-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs was “unlikely,” per The Boston Globe’s Conor Ryan.
Boston loaned Johnny Beecher and Jayson Megna to Providence this week, so the fourth line projects to be James van Riemsdyk, Jesper Boqvist and Pat Maroon.
The Bruins play Game 1 of their best-of-seven series against the Maple Leafs begins Saturday at TD Garden. Puck drop is scheduled at 8 p.m. ET, and you can catch full coverage on NESN.
Red Sox’s Tyler O’Neill Heads To 7-Day IL, Rob Refsnyder Returns
BOSTON — In a shuffle of right-handed hitting outfielders, the Red Sox made an injured list switch Thursday.
Boston placed outfielder Tyler O’Neill on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to April 16, per a team release. In a corresponding move, Rob Refsnyder joins the Red Sox for the first time this season after a fractured toe in spring training.
O’Neill collided with Rafael Devers in Boston’s loss on Monday, though Alex Cora told reporters on Thursday that he felt better after workouts and could return to the lineup on the Red Sox’s upcoming road trip.
The 28-year-old supplied the power in the Red Sox lineup to start the season, smashing seven home runs and leading baseball with a 1.209 OPS.
Refsnyder prepares to make his season debut in the coming days and adds another outfielder to the mix for the Red Sox. Cora will gain another option for the lineup, especially against left-handers, a matchup where Refsnyder has found his greatest impact with Boston (.308 AVG, .828 OPS vs. LHP in 2023).
Boston hosts the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday afternoon at Fenway Park in the finale of their four-game series First pitch is set for 1:35 p.m. ET. You can catch the game on NESN.
Eliot Wolf Differs From Robert Kraft In Why Calvin Ridley Didn’t Sign With Patriots
FOXBORO — Remember when Patriots owner Robert Kraft said the “girlfriend” of Calvin Ridley was a key factor in why the star wideout signed with the Tennessee Titans rather than New England this offseason?
“It was not because of finance,” Kraft told reporters during the annual league meetings. “Clearly, his girlfriend wanted to be in the South.”
Patriots de facto general manager Eliot Wolf doesn’t seem to view it the same way. During a pre-draft press conference at Gillette Stadium on Thursday, Wolf’s first availability since the NFL Scouting Combine before free agency, Wolf offered a more straightforward explanation.
“Another team offered more money, would be the main thing,” Wolf said.
The Titans signed Ridley to a four-year deal worth $92 million for an average annual value of $23 million. The Patriots reportedly offered Ridley $22 million AAV, though Ridley benefited from the tax differences in Tennessee. Kraft pointed to that, as well, but said the Patriots were willing to supplement it in their offer.
“We had a situation where the taxes were like almost 10% higher — we were willing to keep going on the premium. But he didn’t want to be in the Northeast,” Kraft said March 26.
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Ridley was thought to be a perfect addition for the Patriots given New England’s perceived need at receiver. The Patriots have since turned to the trade market, and have made calls in an effort to acquire a wideout via trade, Wolf confirmed. Wolf said it remains an avenue the Patriots will pursue, but expressed his confidence in those currently on the roster.
“We certainly have good receivers that we’re excited about working with,” Wolf said. “K.J. Osborn can play all three positions. We have Kendrick Bourne coming back, Pop (Demario Douglas), JuJu (Smith-Schuster), the list goes on. We feel like we have NFL receivers.”
The Patriots also could add a receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft starting April 25. New England holds the third overall pick, along with high selections in both the second (No. 34) and third round (No.68), where they might be able to select a contributor.
Eliot Wolf Firmly Believes Outsiders ‘Underestimating’ Patriots’ Talent
FOXBORO, Mass. — It’s probably getting annoying to read at this point, but the Patriots’ lack of talent really can’t be overstated.
New England has the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and there’s a reason for that. The Patriots are without a long-term solution at quarterback, have swung and missed at receiver repeatedly over the last half decade, don’t have a viable option at left tackle in the eyes of most people and have diminishing depth in their secondary.
It’s presumed by most that the Patriots will look to next Thursday’s draft to address those issues, but we should be wary of head decision maker Eliot Wolf’s view on them.
Wolf, one week before making one of the most important picks in franchise history, sat before reporters at Gillette Stadium and answered questions regarding the Patriots’ future. He was asked whether he believed outsiders are underestimating the current players on New England’s roster, and answered emphatically.
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“I do, yes,” Wolf said. “We have NFL receivers, we have NFL tight ends, we have NFL running backs, we have NFL offensive linemen. We feel good about where we are and we feel through free agency — on the offensive side in particular — that we’ve been able to supplement our roster properly so we’re not having to draft for need as much offensively.”
Is that cause for concern? You be the judge.
Wolf was never going to come out and claim New England didn’t have league-appropriate players. He also knows that isn’t the issue. The Patriots just don’t have anyone who actually makes a difference on the offensive side of the ball.
Kendrick Bourne and DeMario Douglas are something, but definitely not more than (ideally) the No. 3 and No. 4 options, respectively, in a playoff-worthy passing game. Chukwuma Okorafor, who appears to be the left tackle entering offseason workouts, has never played the position in the NFL. Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper are fine, but approaching the wrong side of 30. Rhamondre Stevenson is really good, but entering a contract year, coming off an ankle injury and doesn’t have much around him in the running back room.
The Patriots undoubtedly have NFL players on their roster, but that isn’t enough. Wolf knows that, though.
Key Injury Update Might’ve Sealed Celtics’ First-Round Opponent
Via Wednesday night’s results, the Celtics now know they will play either the Heat or the Bulls in the opening round of the NBA playoffs.
But when you take a Thursday morning report from The Atheltic’s Shams Charania into consideration, basketball fans and media members alike might be compelled to pencil Chicago into their postseason brackets.
The Heat lost their Play-In Tournament game against the 76ers in Philadelphia, which means Miami will need to beat Chicago on Friday night to secure the Eastern Conference’s eighth seed. But the reigning East champions will try to prevail on their home court without superstar Jimmy Butler, who reportedly will be sidelined for “multiple weeks” due to an MCL injury.
Butler sustained the injury late in the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The six-time All-Star stayed in the game, played a total of 40 minutes and expressed hope he would wake up Thursday morning with a stronger feeling in his knee. But testing on the injury evidently revealed information that could lead to the end of the Heat’s season.
Boston would be significantly favored over both Chicago and Miami, but it would undoubtedly have a less challenging series against the Bulls. After all, it was Butler and the eighth-seeded Heat who prevented the Celtics from securing a second straight NBA Finals appearance last season.
Miami shouldn’t be counted out, as it still will fight for its playoff life with Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and top-five coach Erik Spoelstra. But one can probably assume who the Celtics would like to see roll into TD Garden on Sunday afternoon.
Patriots Have Had Trade Talks For Receivers, Open To Continued Pursuit
FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots have had conversations regarding the trade market at receiver, and Eliot Wolf believes it represents an avenue the organization will continue to pursue.
“We’ve had conversations with teams about different scenarios, not just at receiver, but at different positions,” Wolf said during a pre-draft press conference at Gillette Stadium on Thursday. “So that’s definitely something we’d be open to.”
Patriots first-year head coach Jerod Mayo previously said the team was open to the trade market, too.
Wolf did not say which teams the Patriots spoke with, or which players they called about. Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, San Francisco 49ers wideout Brandon Aiyuk and Denver Broncos’ Courtland Sutton are a few players who have been floated in trade talks this offseason.
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Wolf, however, expressed confidence in what the Patriots currently have on their roster. New England re-signed Kendrick Bourne this offseason and signed external free agent K.J. Osborn to go along with DeMario Douglas and JuJu Smith-Schuster.
“We certainly have good receivers that we’re looking forward to working with,” Wolf said. “K.J. Osborn can play all three positions, we have Kendrick Bourne coming back, Pop (DeMario Douglas), JuJu (Smith-Schuster), the list goes on. We feel like we have NFL receivers.”
The Patriots also could add another receiver in the NFL draft. New England holds the No. 3 pick, along with selections at the top of the second (No. 34) and third rounds (No. 68).
NFL draft expert Daniel Jeremiah floated a few Day 2 receivers that could be available for the Patriots when speaking to reporters Thursday. At least to those outside the confines of Gillette Stadium, it’s viewed as a clear need for the Patriots.
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Wolf, though, feels the offense is set up well. When asked if he believes the offense, and specifically the receiver group, is being underestimated, Wolf said he did.
“We have NFL receivers, we have NFL tight ends, we have NFL running backs, we have NFL offensive linemen,” Wolf said. “We feel good about where we are. And we feel through free agency, on the offensive side in particular, that we’ve been able to supplement our roster properly so we’re not having to draft for need as much offensively.”
Trading for a receiver isn’t the only thing Wolf and company are open to, though. Wolf, who will have final say on draft night, also said the Patriots are “open for business” when it comes to the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Alex Cora Gives Updates On Rafael Devers, Other Injured Red Sox
BOSTON — The Red Sox on Thursday will be without Rafael Devers, who will miss the series finale against the Cleveland Guardians as he works through a knee injury sustained Tuesday night.
Alex Cora told reporters on Tuesday that the Boston infielder will get an MRI on Thursday to view any structural damage, though that’s mostly to get “peace of mind” for the player and the staff.
“He didn’t feel great yesterday,” Cora shared at Fenway Park. “He felt like he wasn’t able to stay on his leg. He was out in front. I talked to him last night and said, ‘Let’s do this so we know.'”
Devers had battled a nagging shoulder injury early in the regular season. On Monday, he collided with Tyler O’Neill, who cleared concussion protocol and continues to work toward returning to the lineup on Boston’s upcoming road trip.
“He’s working out, they’ll check on him today and see where we’re at,” Cora said. “He had an OK day yesterday after the workout. Today, it seems like he has more energy. It’s a (day-to-day) thing.”
Elsewhere around the roster, Nick Pivetta will throw a bullpen Saturday as he works to come off of the 15-day injured list on time. After an MRI of his own, infielder Romy Gonzalez had a clean report and looks to eventually return to the shortstop platoon with David Hamilton and (occasionally) Ceddanne Rafaela.
The Red Sox search for a series split Thursday against the Guardians. First pitch is set for 1:35 p.m. ET. You can catch the game, plus an hour of pregame coverage, on NESN.
Patriots’ Jacoby Brissett Brought Back For Clear Reason
FOXBORO, Mass. — The Patriots brought quarterback Jacoby Brissett back for another tour of duty this offseason, giving him an opportunity to return to the place that introduced him to the NFL.
New England’s goal? It’s the same as Miami’s in 2021, Cleveland’s in 2022 and Washington’s in 2023.
Brissett is the bridge guy.
The Patriots likely won’t out-and-out say as much, but it’s pretty clear that is the case. The Dolphins signed Brissett three seasons ago to serve as a capable backup to Tua Tagovailoa, who hadn’t yet proven he was capable of being a starter. The Browns brought him in a few years back looking for some insurance, as Deshaun Watson’s impending suspension left them needing a placeholder. The Commanders? Sam Howell was the incumbent starter, but after a spotty rookie season, they felt the need to add someone who could relieve him in a pinch.
Brissett, in all three cases, did exactly what was needed of him no matter the circumstances surrounding his role. New England’s de-facto general manager, Eliot Wolf, expects more of the same in 2024.
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“We signed Jacoby because he’s a good player,” Wolf told reporters. “He’s a big, strong, relentless preparer, in terms of his ability to take the game plan and apply it through the week to Sunday. He’s got a good arm, big and strong. We feel like if we end up drafting a quarterback high, he is someone who can support that player who will be a positive influence on them while competing with them.”
Did you read that last part? If that doesn’t scream “bridge guy” then nothing does.
The Patriots seemingly intend on drafting a QB with the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but couldn’t do so without someone like Brissett. Mac Jones was never going to help the guy looking to take his job. Bailey Zappe, who is still in New England, has always felt like he was competing for a starting spot even when tasked with being a supportive backup. Nathan Rourke is, well, let’s all be real, Nathan Rourke.
Brissett, on the other hand, is a perfect fit. It doesn’t matter if it’s Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels, Brissett can help New England’s future signal-caller better than perhaps anyone else.
On Trial? Eliot Wolf Weighs Patriots Future Without GM Title
Eliot Wolf will be the man who will have final say over what the Patriots do in the 2024 NFL Draft, but his title with the organization remains unclear.
The director of scouting is New England’s de facto general manager throughout the draft process, but there reportedly is no guarantee Wolf stays on as de facto GM after next week’s draft.
Wolf held a news conference in Foxboro, Mass. on Thursday and addressed his status within the organization when asked if he felt he was “on trial” for the 2024 NFL Draft.
“I haven’t thought about it that way. That’s an interesting way to think about it,” Wolf told reporters, per the Patriots. “Since I’ve been given this opportunity to work with these people, I’ve put my head down and try to do things that I feel like are best for the Patriots.”
Wolf also addressed the idea of trading out of the No. 3 pick, and he downplayed a popular draft need for New England.
But the focus of the 2024 NFL Draft will be on the third overall pick, and the reception Wolf and the Patriots receive likely could depend on what they choose to do with that selection.
Patriots’ Eliot Wolf Severely Downplays Top NFL Draft Need
FOXBORO, Mass. — If you ask anyone about the Patriots’ three biggest needs entering the 2024 NFL Draft, you’ll get the same answer.
New England has to find a quarterback, get him a quality wide receiver to throw the ball to and draft his new blindside (sorry, Michael Penix Jr.) protector. It’s been written in stone for months, if not years, at this point.
Eliot Wolf, who ultimately will be making the decisions for New England, doesn’t see it the same way.
Wolf, just one week before the biggest night of his professional life, sat before reporters at Gillette Stadium and answered questions regarding the Patriots’ future. He touched on a litany of subjects, but one thing that came as a bit of a surprise was his insistence that New England was A-OK on the offensive line.
“I do read a lot about that storyline,” Wolf admitted. “I’m not really sure what that means. I think we have a solid offensive line. David Andrews is coming back. We have three rookies we drafted last year that are developing. We signed (Chukwuma) Okorafor from the Steelers… We have a solid foundation and a solid system in place, so I definitely feel like it’s (overblown).”
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The Patriots have a foundation, sure, but Wolf still never mentioned who would be the left tackle if they didn’t draft one.
“If the season started tomorrow I think it would be Okorafor,” Wolf said after directly being asked about New England’s current top option. “He played there in college, so we went back and watched that film. … He’s an athletic, big guy, so we think he can make that transition back.”
Oh.
Okorafor, like Wolf mentioned, hasn’t played much on the left side since his days at Western Michigan. Is it fair to write him off before he gets to learn a new system and potentially find his footing? No, but it also isn’t fair to expect that he will, either.
The Patriots could very well be posturing. Wolf says he likes the talent they have at wide receiver, too, and we all know how the public feels about that group. New England could very well be trying to throw people off its scent, but if Wolf genuinely believes he doesn’t need to target wide receiver and tackle, the draft could end up being a long few days at One Patriot Place.
Eliot Wolf, Patriots ‘Open For Business’ If Trade Presented In NFL Draft
FOXBORO — Eliot Wolf, much like both first-year head coach Jerod Mayo and owner Robert Kraft did before him, kept the door open on the New England Patriots trading back in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Wolf, the de facto general manager who will have final say on draft night, classified trade talks as “ongoing.”
“We’re open to anything — moving up, moving down,” Wolf said during a pre-draft press conference at Gillette Stadium on Thursday. “We’re open for business in the first round and in every round.
“We have some holes we feel we have to fill in the draft. And we’re a draft and develop team, the more picks we have the better. But if there’s an opportunity to move up and strike, if the board recommends it, then we won’t be afraid to pull the trigger on that either.”
Wolf previously said all options were on the table for the Patriots when he met with reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine in late February. Mayo told reporters at the annual league meeting the Patriots would have to consider a trade down if another team offered a “bag” for the third overall pick.
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Asked about some of the scenarios that could present themselves when the Patriots are on the clock at No. 3, Wolf said New England’s brass has run through some of those options. Teams around the league also have placed calls to the Patriots and shared potential trade packages.
“There have been conversations that have taken place,” Wolf said.
The Minnesota Vikings, who have two first-round picks, are viewed around the league as a trade-up candidate. So are the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders, two teams in need of a long-term solution at quarterback. Wolf did not indicate which team(s) the Patriots have spoken to.
Wolf also said he does not feel like quarterback has to be the pick if the Patriots remain at third overall. But should the Patriots select a quarterback in that spot, as many believe they will, Wolf believes there is a general consensus on how New England’s decision-makers feel.
Patriots Rumors: When Michael Penix Jr. Pre-Draft Visit Was Planned
The Patriots have been linked to three quarterbacks throughout the draft process, which is why a certain reported pre-draft visit raised eyebrows for fans.
New England reportedly will meet Michael Penix Jr. a week before the 2024 NFL Draft. Fans and analysts sometimes read too much into pre-draft visits, but this reported meeting was interesting since the Washington product is projected to be a Day 2 pick or a late first-round pick at best.
Jerod Mayo and director of scouting Eliot Wolf were open about potentially trading the third overall pick, though the Patriots head coach revealed it would take a “bag” from another team. That supported the idea that it could take more than three first-round picks to trade down, according to NBC Sports Boston’s Tom Curran.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer said on NBC Sports Boston on Wednesday that the Patriots’ pre-draft visit with Penix was a “late add.” The NFL insider theorized that Mayo, Wolf and the rest of New England’s staff are doing homework on prospects who could be available if the team traded out of the No. 3 pick.
The Patriots need a quarterback, but their roster also has other flaws. Drafting a quarterback later in the first round or on Day 2 of the draft could be a strategy the Patriots consider, especially if they’re not convinced the quarterback who falls to No. 3 can be a franchise guy.
New England still expressed interest in the top quarterbacks in the class, but it’s clear it will keep its options open until next week’s draft.
Red Sox Vs. Guardians Lineups: Rafael Devers, Masataka Yoshida Sit
The Red Sox and the Guardians will wrap up their four-game series Thursday afternoon at Fenway Park.
Boston will be without three of its best hitters for the matinee matchup. Rafael Devers is not in the lineup after manager Alex Cora on Wednesday revealed the star third baseman avoided a serious knee injury and was “good to go.” Masataka Yoshida, who is 0-for-10 in the series, will be out of action for the second straight game. And Tyler O’Neill remains on the mend following his collision in the outfield Monday afternoon.
The Red Sox will roll with an opener for the finale, as Brennan Bernardino is set to take the bump. The left-hander pitched in the first two games of the series, allowing one earned run on one hit with three strikeouts and two walks over two combined innings. Bernardino will be opposed by right-hander Carlos Carrasco, who pitched less than five innings in both of his last two starts.
Here are the full lineups for Thursday’s Guardians-Red Sox game:
RED SOX (10-9)
Jarren Duran, LF
Triston Casas, 1B
Wilyer Abreu, RF
Enmanuel Valdez, 2B
Connor Wong, DH
David Hamilton, SS
Pablo Reyes, 3B
Reese McGuire, C
Ceddanne Rafaela, CF
Brennan Bernardino, LHP (0-1, 1.69 ERA)
GUARDIANS (12-6)
Andrés Giménez, 2B
David Fry, LF
José RamÃrez, DH
Josh Naylor, 1B
Tyler Freeman, CF
Bo Naylor, C
Ramón Laureano, RF
Gabriel Arias, 3B
Brayan Rocchio, SS
Carlos Carrasco, RHP (0-1, 3.55 ERA)