Mike Vrabel keeps mystery alive around Patriots’ No. 4 overall pick

FOXBORO – Mike Vrabel kicked off the Patriots’ first closed-door crew assembly final week by laying out objectives and floor guidelines.

Respect the crew.

Win the division.

Be on time.

Within the assembly, Vrabel additionally slipped on his psychologist’s cap for a second and proclaimed: “While you care about one thing,” he started, as captured in a viral video, “you defend it.”

Eight days and some conferences later, Vrabel commanded a distinct room Tuesday.

He stood earlier than a throng of reporters who needed nothing greater than to study the Patriots’ draft plans and broadcast them far and extensive (yours actually included). As soon as the press convention was over, we nonetheless did.

As a result of whereas Vrabel answered questions for 20-plus minutes, together with pointed queries designed to pry the slightest trace or inform or clue from the pinnacle coach, he protected his crew.

Like when he was requested if the Patriots understand how they’ll use the No. 4 total decide if consensus blue-chippers Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter are off the board: “Effectively, we’re within the strategy of going via what everyone calls these simulations, and that’s been and can proceed to be good workout routines,” Vrabel stated. “It’s simply working eventualities and what we might do primarily based on these eventualities. So, to say that we’ve got a definitive reply on these eventualities, no.”

Which, after all, could also be true, however most likely isn’t contemplating the Patriots have lengthy identified they may confront certainly one of two realities as soon as they’re on the clock subsequent week.

There’s state of affairs No. 1: Both Carter, a ferocious All-American cross rusher, or Hunter, a generational extensive receiver-cornerback hybrid is obtainable, and the Patriots can add a premium expertise at a place of want in what can solely be described as a front-office dream.

“We’d love for them to align: having a necessity and having one of the best participant be there,” Vrabel stated of drafting one of the best participant accessible versus filling wants.

Situation No. 2: Carter and Hunter are each gone, and the Patriots should decide from a set of barely lesser, however nonetheless high-level prospects; LSU left deal with Will Campbell, Missouri proper deal with Armand Membou, Georgia edge rusher Jalon Walker, Michigan defensive deal with Mason Graham or maybe Penn State tight finish Tyler Warren.

Oddsmakers presently undertaking the Patriots will decide Campbell, whom Vrabel endorsed as a left deal with prospect final month regardless of exterior reservations that his brief arms might inevitably drive a transfer to protect. So if the Patriots view Campbell as a deal with, does Vrabel see him and/or different prospects as being worthy of the No. 4 decide?

Once more, he dodged.

“I feel there’s some beginning tackles that definitely will are available in and begin within the NFL,” Vrabel stated Tuesday, answering a distinct query. “I feel that that’s actually what you begin to search for, affect gamers. While you begin choosing that prime, (considering) what they’re going to do for you, what’s the affect, what’s the place, you discuss premium positions — that’s the place you weigh all of the circumstances and find yourself making that decide.

“Do I feel that there are starters on this draft at left deal with? Sure, I do.”

Effectively, then. Have been it not for different first-round abilities, like Ohio State’s Josh Simmons, Texas left deal with Kelvin Banks Jr. and Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr., that may have offered some perception. Alas, it didn’t.

As for the Patriots’ objectives getting into the draft, you would possibly have the ability to guess this one.

Vrabel stated he needs so as to add starting-caliber gamers. And some backups. And later, the Patriots will sift via the undrafted leftovers to seek out one or two rookies they consider could make the crew.

There you could have it.