- PALM BEACH, Fla. – Robert Kraft is confident the Patriots’ draft fortunes are about to change.
For two decades, New England dominated the NFL thanks to Bill Belichick’s ability to draft and develop talent. But over the past 10 years, their selections have struggled to produce star players. The team’s recent draft woes have left them picking in the top five for the second straight year—something Kraft is determined to fix.
“I hope we’re never drafting No. 4 again in my lifetime,” Kraft said at the NFL Annual Meetings. “If you want to build a team that wins consistently, you have to draft well. Unfortunately, we haven’t done a good job in that area recently. But we’ve reshaped how we do things, and I hope we start seeing the impact of that soon.”
The Patriots’ dynasty thrived on homegrown stars—from Tom Brady and Richard Seymour to Devin McCourty and Rob Gronkowski. But recent drafts have lacked impact players. The 2022 class was a bust, and while 2023 brought standout cornerback Christian Gonzalez, the overall results have been mixed. The 2024 draft, led by Eliot Wolf, landed quarterback Drake Maye, but the rest of the picks left questions.
So why does Kraft believe this year’s draft will be different? He credits new head coach Mike Vrabel.
“I’ve learned that culture matters,” Kraft said. “You need people who aren’t afraid to speak up. Right now, I see that happening. Maybe I’m too excited, but I truly believe in what’s being built.”
The Patriots still need elite talent—especially at offensive line, wide receiver, and running back. Kraft trusts Vrabel and his staff to address those needs and change the team’s trajectory.
“I have confidence this group is all on the same page,” Kraft said. “It’s been very exciting for me, and I can’t wait for the season to start.”
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