Wolf wisely keeps cards close to chest

If you believe the Patriots will trade the No. 3 overall pick in next week’s draft, here’s all the proof you need, courtesy of de facto GM Eliot Wolf.

“We’re open for business in the first round, and in every round,” Wolf said Thursday during his pre- draft press conference. “We have some holes we feel like we need to fill in the draft. We’re drafting to develop the team. The more picks we have, the better.”

But if you think the Patriots will draft a quarterback at No. 3, here’s your two-piece smoking gun:

“Yeah,” Wolf said, answering whether he expects a quarterback worthy of the third overall pick to be available.

Does he feel Drake Maye, J. J. Mccarthy or Jayden Daniels could lead the team, and the Patriots wouldn’t be settling if they drafted any one of them?

“Yeah, I think that’s fair,” Wolf replied.

And if you contend the Patriots are still, somehow, undecided on what to do with their top pick, well, see above.

Mixed messages. Galore. In speaking to reporters Thursday, Wolf wisely muddied the waters understanding his target audience was not the assembled media before him, but his competitors and colleagues; the 31 other front NFL offices who will study the tape of his press conference for clues about his draft intentions, and the players, coaches and scouts inside his own building still learning about their new leader.

Because while Wolf established himself as a sharp evaluator years ago, serving as a de facto GM is brand new. Everyone is watching to see how Wolf fills these shoes; how he walks, talks and whether he can walk the walk and talk the talk.

Every word counts. Every minute matters. To that end, Wolf pulled assistant coaches from their pre-scheduled vacations in late March to cover Pro Days because of how vital this draft is to the franchise’s future. To his future, to their future.

So, before taking a single question Thursday, the 42-year- old executive thanked them for their service.

“I also wanted to thank the Krafts for their support. Thank coach (Jerod) Mayo and his staff throughout this draft process, it’s been great,” Wolf said. “Collaborating with them and working with them, you know, private workouts and Zoom calls, and getting their reports in on those things. I wanted to thank the scouts for their tireless effort to get this draft class right, over the last, call it three years.

“Being away from their families, working on the road, digging out information, being passionate about what they do, and also representing the Patriots in a professional manner.”

A small, but wise gesture. In February, Wolf explained The Packer Way — something now being installed in New England — by citing “honesty, respect, and treating people the right way.” This was Wolf, six weeks later, walking the walk.

Because while a scout is measured by the written word of his reports, a GM must be accountable to his every syllable, public and private. He is responsible for advancing the team’s interests and protecting them, particularly against outsiders and critics. On Thursday, Wolf risked bewildering his fan base to stand by his players, specifically the most maligned on the Patriots’ roster: the wide receivers and offensive linemen.

“I do, yes,” Wolf said, when asked if he feels the two groups are underrated. “I mean, we have NFL receivers, we have NFL tight ends, we have NFL running backs, we have NFL offensive lineman. We feel good about where we are.”

As for the draft, Wolf admitted Patriots’ top decision-makers are at the doorstep of consensus on how they feel about the best available quarterbacks. And if we are being honest with ourselves, the talent available and the Patriots’ shoddy depth chart, Wolf is taking a quarterback at No. 3 overall

For months, drafting Maye or Daniels has represented the simplest solution to the Patriots’ thorniest problem. Wolf also does not subscribe to the notion the Patriots are not prepared to support a rookie. Though, he’s heard your concerns.

“I read a lot of that storyline. I’m not really sure what that means,” he said. “We have a solid offensive line. We resigned Mike Onwenu, we have David Andrews coming back. We have three rookies that we drafted last year that are developing. We signed (Chukwuma) Okorafor from the Steelers, Hunter Henry.

“I mean, a good running game, a solid foundation and a solid system in place with a coach (offensive coordinator Alex) Van Pelt on the offense. So, I definitely feel like we can support that.”

Wolf also volunteered that Jacoby Brissett, the team’s projected starting quarterback, is wellequipped to support a rookie.

“He’s got a good arm. He’s big and strong. And we feel like, if we end up drafting a quarterback high, he is someone that can support that player and would be a positive influence on them, while competing with them,” he said.

That was as close as Wolf came to tipping his hand, a job well done over 20 minutes of a pleasant, straightforward press conference that revealed little yet covered a lot.

Because the first rule of poker is to hide your cards. The second is not to play the cards in front of you, but the man across from you.

Or in Wolf’s case, around the corner and across the league.