1 week Ago By Conor Ryan
By Conor Ryan The Patriots added a potential three-down running back in the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson in the second round. But speaking to reporters at Gillette Stadium shortly after Day 2 of the NFL Draft wrapped, Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf was candid about the discourse that was brewing in the team’s war room on Friday when they landed on the clock at No. 38.
“There was a little bit of a debate about who we were going to pick, and ultimately, one of the players we were talking about got drafted, so it didn’t end up mattering, but I think it was a really good step in the right direction just for us working together in our relationship as co-workers because we have to have productive disagreements for this to work,” Wolf said. “We can’t just agree on everything; we can’t just acquiesce to each other on something, so I think it was really productive from that standpoint.” While Wolf, as expected, did not name which player the Patriots’ top brass were also debating on taking at No.
38, both Boston Sports Journal’s Greg Bedard and MassLive’s Mark Daniels reported that the only player in question was Arizona offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea. Savaiinaea was ultimately taken just before New England landed on the clock, with the Dolphins trading up with the Raiders and taking the 6-foot-4 guard at No. 37 overall.
Miami’s move made the decision much easier for New England, with the Patriots taking their other top target at that stage in the draft in Henderson. While plenty of speculation about that targeted player revolved around Iowa State slot receiver Jaylin Noel (taken No. 34 overall by Houston), Savaiinaea would also fall in line with New England’s strategy of building a strong foundation around Drake Maye moving forward.
After already adding a top left-tackle prospect in Will Campbell with the No. 4 pick, New England could have added a starting left guard next to him had Savaiinaea been available. But with Savaiinaea off the board, the Patriots instead decided to give Maye a dynamic playmaker moving forward in Henderson, while also adding another top offensive lineman in the draft by taking Georgia center Jared Wilson in the third round (No.
95 overall). While Wilson’s best position is at center, Wolf noted that the 21-year-old could also slot to left guard if needed — giving New England more versatility as it tries to build up its personnel at the line of scrimmage. “I could see that being a possibility,” Wolf said of Wilson playing at center.
“Most of his experience has been at center this past year, but he had played guard. He was basically the sixth man at Georgia prior to this year, so he’s got experience practicing and playing at guard there. “I think center’s ultimately going to be his best position, but we’ll get him in here, see what he can handle mentally, and see what he can do.
” Conor Ryan Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023. Sign up for the Today newsletter Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
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