Watch: Jerod Mayo talks about Patriots’ offense-heavy draft approach & more on NFL Network
New England's first five picks were all offensive players, including a pair of receivers.
Jerod Mayo, entering his first season as head coach of the Patriots, is finishing up his first NFL Draft on Saturday.
Prior to New England’s sixth round selections, the former player-turned-coach carved out a few minutes for an appearance on NFL Network, where he discussed the Patriots’ approach to this year’s draft and the chance for Drake Maye to start Week 1.
Check out his full appearance below:
At the time of Mayo’s appearance, the Patriots made five picks, and all five were offensive selections. Mayo touched on that thought process with himself and the front office.
“We go into the draft with the needs; obviously we had a lot of needs on the offensive side of the ball,” Mayo said. “I think Eliot [Wolf] and [Matt] Groh … our scouting department, collaborating with our coaches, did a good job really targeting people, really on both sides of the ball. But, we know that to win games in this league you have to have a productive offense. So that was the plan going in.”
Mayo was also asked about the draft process this year compared to previous years under Bill Belichick, and talked candidly about the team-based process leading to each pick.
“It’s been very collaborative, and I will say this: Ownership has given us the freedom to really use our expertise,” Mayo said. “And that’s being football coaches, being football scouts. I think the entire organization down here has done a good job really coming together and making a decision all together instead of just one man having to make the final call.”
Asked about Drake Maye potentially starting for this season, Mayo wouldn’t rule out the possibility.
“Talking about quarterback, or any position, our philosophy is we’re going to compete in everything we do on and off the field, and we’ll put the best players out there that give this organization the best chance to win,” Mayo said. “So, we’ll have to see.”
New England’s final selection, barring trades, was a tight end, making seven of its eight draftees offensive players.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com