Patriots
“I favored our draft this 12 months, and I hope that interprets on the sector.”
After acknowledging again in March that he was “very disillusioned” with the Patriots’ 2022 season, Robert Kraft echoed a extra optimistic message about New England’s probabilities of a bounce-back season on Thursday.
Whereas talking to ESPN’s Mike Reiss and different reporters on the Myra Kraft Group MVP Awards luncheon at Gillette Stadium, Kraft defined why he’s inspired by this revamped roster.
“I’m excited to have soccer again,” Kraft mentioned. “I favored our draft this 12 months, and I hope that interprets on the sector. I do know the fellows are working very onerous. I believe now we have essentially the most tough division within the NFL — the perfect stability of groups. All the opposite three groups are good, so we’ll have our challenges. However I’m actually hopeful about this group.”
It’s nonetheless far too early to dimension up New England’s 2023 draft class and whether or not or not they will make a direct affect on the sector this fall. However final month, Kraft mentioned on NFL Community that New England was capable of choose all seven gamers that they initially tabbed on their draft board.
“I used to be considering, draft day, on the finish of draft day, my eldest son Jonathan and I have been chatting and I mentioned, ‘This was an excellent, nice draft. I’m actually optimistic in regards to the group,’” Kraft mentioned. “And he mentioned, ‘Dad, you try this yearly. You say that yearly.’ However I actually imagine it.
“We have been capable of get the highest seven picks that we had recognized earlier than the draft. I believe it provides us stability of what our wants are. I believe our free agent pickups, and getting (offensive coordinator) Invoice O’Brien in, will make a giant distinction and I’m very eager for the group.”
Invoice O’Brien’s steadying affect on an offensive unit marred by dysfunction in 2022 ought to assist New England make a push for the playoffs this fall, particularly if Mac Jones rebounds from a poor sophomore marketing campaign.
Even when the Patriots make main strides in 2023, there isn’t a assure that the group pushes additional up within the standings, particularly when factoring in different robust matchups towards the Eagles, Chiefs, Chargers, and extra.
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