Mike Vrabel weighs in from the NFL Combine on Travis Hunter, Drake Maye
One thing Vrabel stressed about his new quarterback Maye is "making sure that he’s not putting himself in harm's way when he doesn’t have to."
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In an interview with Daniel Jeremiah and Rich Eisen of the NFL Network, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel talked about the excitement of the 2025 NFL Draft as the Combine concluded Sunday.
Vrabel briefly talked about his meeting with Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. In a funny moment, Vrabel was asked if he feels “disrespected” for Hunter being known as a “rare two-way talent.” Of course, Vrabel did not play nearly as much offense as Hunter does currently as both a receiver and cornerback. But the former Patriots linebacker did collect 10 regular season receptions, which all ended as touchdowns. He also had two Super Bowl touchdowns.
“He and I were kind of jawing back and forth as he left last night. And I said, ‘You’re not the only one who played two-ways, son. Like there were some other guys who did this too.’ He kind of looked at me and laughed,” said Vrabel.
Hunter is expected to be off the board by the time the Patriots pick at No. 4 in April’s draft, though they could also trade up for him.
Vrabel also described his first impressions of Drake Maye, the Patriots quarterback who is entering his sophomore season.
“There’s a youthful energy and excitement that comes with Drake, and a talent,” said Vrabel. “You know, his ability to extend plays is something that – we are obviously going to design plays with him in the pocket – but the ability to extend plays, remain a passer and the threat that puts on the defense … remaining a passer and, you know then obviously, they stay in coverage, go run and slide and just work on taking care of himself and the equipment and making sure that he’s not putting himself in harm’s way when he doesn’t have to. But he wants to learn, he wants to improve, he wants to be a great leader.”
The head coach talked about the rebuilding of the franchise within all aspects of the organization, including those who have more of a behind-the-scenes role.
“We’ve been meeting with the personnel staff [and] the college scouts that have been out on the road, they came back,” said Vrabel. “It was important to get to the Senior Bowl to meet them, encourage them and talk to them about the vision and some of the players that we’ve used in different places, different positions. You know, they are all real excited, and then we’ll continue this process through free agency and now into the draft.”
He mentioned new and old faces in the building as the franchise works to build a new roster.
“Well, I mean, there are people that have been there [for] 30 years and they were there when I played there. A lot of new faces as well. But I think the structure with Robert and Jonathan and the Kraft family have been intact. We still have a lot of the same people, the area, the fan support. These are all things we are excited about, to be able to continue to add new people that are going to bring great ideas.”
Jeremiah asked Vrabel about building the roster knowing about the strength of quarterbacks in the league, including his own division as Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills sit atop the AFC East
“I think that it’s going to start with the division, obviously,” said Vrabel. “That is going to be our first goal. You know, to find a way to win, to win the division and that is something that Buffalo and, you know, Josh Allen and Sean [McDermott] have been able to do, and Brandon Beane and that organization has been able to do. And so we have to, obviously, focus on that first and then focus on how once we make the playoffs and we start hosting home playoff games and competing for championships.”
The interview wrapped up with Vrabel talking about the anticipation for the upcoming season and working on rebuilding the franchise.
“These are exciting times when you come in and, you know, get to build, and help build something and put a product together,” said Vrabel. “The most important thing is that we want to put a program together that the players are proud of, that they want to protect and they want to call their own.”
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