FOXBOROUGH - Mike Vrabel said the Patriots have one goal in mind when it comes to the NFL Draft.
“I think we are going to continue to try to strengthen our team,” Vrabel said Tuesday during an impromptu media session at the New Balance Athletic Center. “Our first focus is going to be on Thursday night and making sure we get that right. And then we’ll focus on Friday. Saturday is always an important day just to continue to build our roster.”
The Patriots have the 31st overall pick in the first round, which kicks off Thursday night. Day 2 on Friday the team will navigate through the second and third rounds while 3-thru-7 happen on Saturday.
Vrabel indicated the team has been working on different scenarios that could play out in Round One and whether it calls for them to “trade up, trade out. Or stick and pick.”
“It’s just a little different landscape being at 31 than you are at 4,” Vrabel said, alluding to where they sat last year in the first round. “It’s something we’re going to have to work through and be able to navigate.
“There’s different mock scenarios and you work through things. Maybe someone wants to come in for 31 ... What would we we want to do? Who would we stay and pick?”
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Vrabel has worked out many players during Pro Day visits. He then puts together a report.
“I’m one of many evaluations. My report looks much different than a scout . . . I just try to have a vision for the player, and what they can do for us and how they can help us,” he said. “You don’t have to like them all. You just have to find the ones that fit you, fit your organization”
Edge rusher is one position the Patriots are expected to tackle in the draft with one of their early picks. Vrabel indicated there was a lot to choose from in the class and that he, outside linebackers coach Mike Smith and the team’s scouts like quite a few pass rushers throughout the draft.
The Patriots have had contact with more than a dozen edge rushers from the class and entertained Missouri’s Zion Young, UCF’s Malachi Lawrence and Oklahoma’s R. Mason Thomas on 30 visits.
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