Vrabel Drops Hint: Patriots Eyeing Elite Prospect to Shoulder Franchise Hype

I’ve got to say, the New England Patriots, they’re not just lucking into their picks; they’ve got a game plan. Last year, they took the plunge with Drake Maye as their franchise quarterback. And y’all know how it is with the quarterback spot—the expectations are like mountains; simultaneously heavy and lofty. But here’s the kicker, this year, they’re looking at a different breed, yet the expectations? Still astronomical.

I’ll tell you, I had a chuckle reading head coach Mike Vrabel’s comments, ‘The demands on “first-round pick,” I think, is something that’s just like the quarterback,’ he said. No sugarcoating there. You don’t have to be Mr. Face of the Franchise in Foxborough, but the eyes of the nation will be on you all the same. It’s not about being the figurehead; it’s Handling the scrutiny, that’s a talent in itself.

As for their pick at No. 4? Well, LSU’s offensive lineman Will Campbell has the betting odds stacked in his favor like Vegas in the heyday. But let’s be real, if they zig instead of zag, there’s still Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty with his elusiveness or Georgia’s Jalon Walker, who can turn any dropback into an instant disaster for the opposition quarterback. These are players with the grit-vitality to make a name for themselves, the-kind that could quietly become a New England legend.

That’s the beauty of the draft. It ain’t just about who you pick, but why AND what they represent for this franchise moving forward.

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The Patriots’ first-round draft pick last year, Drake Maye, was brought in to be the franchise quarterback, which always comes with high expectations. Their first-round pick this year won’t be a quarterback, but the expectations will still be high.LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell is the betting favorite to be the Patriots’ pick at No. 4 overall. If the Patriots pass on Campbell, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and Georgia pass rusher Jalon Walker are other options.That’s the word from Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, who said they’re looking for a player who can handle those lofty expectations.“The demands on ‘first-round pick,’ I think, is something that’s just like the quarterback,” Vrabel said, via Mike Reiss of ESPN. “You don’t have to be the face of the franchise, but everybody’s going to be talking about the first-round pick from the time we pick them . . . so that kind of gets carried with them. I think you have to have the attitude and demeanor to handle some of that.”