New England made a conscious decision not to promote anyone to Bill Belichick’s former general manager position and hand that responsibility over to director of scouting Eliot Wolff. Since then, he has added many players from his time as a member of the Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers.
Alex Van Pelt (offensive coordinator), Ben McAdoo (head assistant), T. McCartney (quarterback) and Scott Peters (offensive line) have joined the Patriots’ offensive coaching staff. However, Alonzo Highsmith is the only in-state addition and will have a significant impact on how New England approaches April’s draft.
According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, Highsmith will help the Patriots replace their “ranking system” as part of his new role with the organization.Belichick “has strict rules for evaluating certain players and their connection to the organization,” Jones said.
The Packers system that produced Wolf and Highsmith has long emphasized traits like “athleticism, versatility and explosiveness.”The Patriots have identified “explosiveness” as an element they would like to add in the offseason. There will be plenty of opportunities to do that, especially after having so many scouting lists at the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl.
Choice no. 3 and tons of cap space would help as well.Over the past few seasons, it’s become clear that Belichick’s system isn’t working anymore, so any changes in the draft should be welcomed.
