Bill O’Brien Should be Drafting The Receivers

By: Steve Atkinson

Note to Bill Belichick stay away from the offense. Robert Kraft hired Bill O’Brien to fix the offense and get Mac Jones to where he was in 2021. Bill Belichick can’t really draft receivers. The most recent bust was in 2019 when they drafted N’Keal Harry. Jakobi Meyers was undrafted, but we know why he’s not on the team anymore. Kraft should’ve told Belichick with hiring O’Brien he will have complete control of the offense and will report to you directly.

Bill O’Brien Should Be In Charge Drafting Players For The Offense

Well, that probably did happen as Zay Flowers a receiver for Boston College flew into Boston on Thursday from Vegas and went to Gillette Stadium to meet with Bill O’Brien about learning the offense. Now, if Belichick was in charge of the meeting he wouldn’t draft this kid and take the one probably less talented to make it harder on Mac Jones. But with Bill O’Brien I think he will take the more talented receiver and give reasons to Bill on why they are taking him over someone else.

The same should go with offensive lineman. If it’s up to Belichick, he’d rather draft the next Isaiah Wynn. But since it’s up to Bill O’Brien he will draft the best option at offensive line to protect the quarterback.

The Patriots really need a clear picture on Mac Jones this season. They need to know whether to pick up his fifth-year option or go back into the draft for a quarterback in 2024. It seems most would rather have Mac Jones fail which is ridiculous when he was set up to fail a year ago. With Bill O’Brien in the mix, he should be able to get Mac back on track. Even the owner thinks so.

I’m a big fan of Mac,” said Kraft. “I think that we experimented with some things last year that frankly didn’t work when it came to him, in my opinion. I think we’ve made changes that put him in a good position to excel.

“He’s in the stadium almost every day now in the offseason. I think bringing in Bill O’Brien will work towards his advantage. I’m very positive and hopeful about this upcoming year. I’m personally a big fan of Mac.”

But the head coach wouldn’t even say his name and said everyone would be competing for the starting job.

Everybody will get the chance to play… We’ll play the best players.”Every position. Everybody will get a chance to play. Everybody that’s on our roster, if they earn the opportunity to play, then based on what they do in practice and all that, then they’ll get an opportunity to play. Certainly veteran players that have been on the team before, if they’re still on the team, they’ll all get an opportunity to play.”

Bill Belichick Should Have Zero To Do With Bill O’Brien’s Offense

That comment alone should be the reason Belichick should have nothing to do with the offense. Belichick would probably want the quarterback taken in the fourth round to start to try and prove a point to Kraft. Bill O’Brien will of course work with Zappe, and he will be a good backup to start the season. Kraft wants Mac Jones as the starter which is why it doesn’t matter what Belichick wants.

They replaced Jakobi Meyers with JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jonnu Smith with Mike Giseki, and added some offensive lineman. They obviously need one more receiver and an offensive lineman. They replaced Damien Harris and apparently looking to add a running back in the draft.

I expect Bill O’Brien to draft an offensive lineman at pick 14 then draft a receiver in the second round. They’ll draft a quarterback late in the draft and probably draft a player on defense. I’m sure they’ll even trade down and draft a kicker. But overall, it should be O’Brien’s call on offense, not Belichick.