FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts. – Quick thoughts and notes about the New England Patriots and the NFL:
1. May’s turn: When the Patriots took the unconventional step of announcing on January 12 that they were “beginning contract extension discussions with Jerrod Mayo that would keep him with the team long-term,” it raised many questions.
Why might Mayo forgo coaching interviews with other teams? Was this owner Robert Kraft hinting that Mayo was slated as Bill Belichick’s successor? Is there a new title and role for Mayo in Belichick’s crew this season?
Some concrete answers — straight from Mayo himself — have come to the fore over the past week.
Notably, the 37-year-old has committed to “staying here for the next few years.” He said family considerations were a major factor in this decision (Caroline asked to be interviewed), as well as how at home he felt in New England.
Mayo — a linebacker who spent eight years in the NFL with the Patriots after they drafted him with the No. 10 overall pick in 2008 — made it clear he still had aspirations of becoming a head coach but deflected when asked if he had any. . Kraft confirms it could happen with the Patriots.
“We’ll see what happens,” he said.
Mayo has downplayed the new moniker in 2023, saying he’s focused more on personal growth, and cited his presence in interviews as part of the team’s offensive coordinator and offensive research as one example.
“Look, I’m going to work with defense again, with linebacker again,” he said. “But it’s very flexible in that way, let’s call it layering [and] Administrative stuff. … I’m excited to keep learning new things – not just X and O, that’s just a small part of it. I just try to be a sponge and learn as much as I can when I’m in those meetings where I’m usually not; I look forward to learning from Bill on all things off the field. “
Mayo added: “There are more people who talk to me and I value their perspectives, and I try to incorporate them into my thought process. So it’s not just about talking to Bill, he’s also talking to scouts, hat men, researchers. I have a lot to learn and that’s why Another for wanting to be here because I feel like we’re doing it right.”
Mayo said it wasn’t important for him to connect with the defense on game day, explaining that fellow assistant Steve Belichick has done an “amazing job” with him since 2019 and “why change something that works?”
Summing up the decision-making process, he said: “I’m confident I’m going to develop. Where that leads me, I’m not sure. I hope to be here for the foreseeable future, but we’ll just have to see. I’m confident in the plan they’ve put in place.”
2. Evaluate the fourteenth point: The Patriots could be in the no-man’s-land at the 14th pick—out of reach of a high-ranking player in a draft that’s widely viewed as not having as many players ranked. Similarly in the second round. Last week, Patriots manager Matt Groh deflected a question about whether, based on history, he would expect 14 players in that category that the team deems N0-worthy. 14 spots based on their own grading system. “It’s not great,” Bills general manager Brandon Bean said when asked how many players his team has rated as worthy of being a first-round pick compared to other years. One possibility that might help New England: Four quarterbacks get off the board early, pushing other players down the plate.
3. Trade Market: It will be remarkable how the lower-than-normal number of first-caliber prospects affects the draft-day draft market, especially given Belichick’s history. He’s made a league-high 86 tackles during the Patriots’ 22-year tenure, while Philadelphia has been a distant second over that span with 67. 76 and 107 — so Belichick has the chips to move up in the first round for a set goal if he’s He can do that, as he did in 2012 with both Chandler Jones and Dont’a Hightower.
4. Sesame Scenario: When it comes to interesting draft storylines, that’s where Texas falls behind Til Robinson He is chosen from among them. Robinson is widely regarded as one of the most talented players (ESBN draft analyst Todd McShee ranked him #2) but is expected to be selected later because running is generally undervalued these days. Thus, here’s a question that could become a factor inside the Patriots’ roaming room: If Robinson moved to the #14 spot, would he be a good pick given the limited chip options available? “This is a very special player, and it’s a unique draft,” said NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah.
5- Economic impact: Of the Patriots’ first-round pick, Groh said, “You can’t miss these guys. It’s great to find these guys.” [undrafted] Free agents from a cost spending perspective, but with this fifth-year option on first-round players, you better do your homework and make sure you get these guys right. You’re making a real investment.” Last year’s No. 14-ranked Kyle Hamilton signed a four-year, $16.23 million contract, which included a $9 million signing bonus.
6. Set your hours: If the Patriots retain the 14th overall pick, and the draft follows a similar pace as last year, it should take place around 9:45 p.m. ET on Thursday. That’s when the Ravens handed their pass to Hamilton for 14th last year in a first round that lasted 3 hours and 18 minutes. The first round was 3:44 in 2021, 3:54 in 2020 and 3:39 in 2019.
7- The center of attention: It wouldn’t be a shock if the Patriots explored the possibility of securing the future at center as 30-year-old David Andrews returns for his ninth NFL season. This is a good year to do that. “It’s a weirdly good center class that nobody wants to talk about because they’re centers,” McShee said, referring to the five he thinks will be NFL starters, headlined by Wisconsin. Joe TipmanOhio Luke Webler and Minnesota John Michael Schmitz. Cornerback and tight end are other positions with stronger-than-usual categories from a quality depth standpoint.
8. A Light Visit: I mentioned the Patriots’ visit with the Kentucky quarterback Will Levis Last week was a bit of a homecoming, as Levis was born in Massachusetts and attended high school in Connecticut. It is unclear if this, counted as one of the team’s hits, is allowed with home prospects (such as when the Patriots met Massachusetts native Austin Burton) or if it counts against the 30 allowed hits with non-home prospects. The difference is notable, because NFL teams are generally wiser when considering how to legalize their 30s. However, another benefit for the Patriots is getting to know a top prospect who might soon be up against him, as well as comparing him to what they have in Mac Jones.
9. The Numbers Game: The Patriots currently have 75 players on their 90-man roster and enter the draft with 11 draft picks. If they make all the selections, it will leave them with only four points for unscored free agents unless they release some players. New England has had at least one agent without drafts on the Opening Day roster in 19 consecutive seasons, which has held Denver top of the league.
10. Did you know: The Patriots hold the 14th pick in the draft, and if they make the selection, it will be the third time in team history. Running backs Leonard James Russell (1991) and fullback Rowland James (1980) are 14th.