Mike Vrabel Wants Patriots Pass-Catchers To Have These Qualities

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is well-aware of Drake Maye’s skillset.

“There is arm talent, there is ability, there is athleticism and toughness,” Vrabel told CBS Boston’s Dan Roche at Gillette Stadium on Monday, a few hours after he was introduced as New England’s head coach.

Vrabel, however, also knows the skillsets of those who played with Maye in 2024. Patriots owner Robert Kraft said Vrabel showcased a “very deep understanding” of the current team during the interview process.

In discussing the 2024 third overall pick, Vrabel hinted a few qualities the Patriots will be looking in Maye’s future pass-catchers.

“There are a lot of contributing factors that go into that (Maye’s efficiency),” Vrabel told CBS Boston. “Having players around that have a great catch radius, that are good at averse catches in the red zone, that are tough tackles, that take short gains, short passes and turn them into explosive gains so that you’re not just forcing the ball down the field every single play. We’re going to do that, that’s going to be in our offense. But those are tough things to do repeatedly in the National Football League.

“So, providing answers and support for him (Maye) to continue to grow. Give him as much as we feel like he can handle, or that he can spit back to us. Then we’ll see when that happens and I’m sure that growth will be pretty quick.”

Vrabel will help Patriots executive vice president Eliot Wolf identify players who fit that mold. Pass-catchers won’t be the only personnel additions, though, as Vrabel confirmed New England will do its best to build the trenches including the offensive line.

That’s another contributing factor to Maye’s efficiency, after all.