Brian Gutekunst was hired by the Green Bay Packers as a scout in 1999, when Ron Wolf was the team's general manager. At that time, Ron's son, Eliot, was 17 years old. He joined the franchise on a full-time basis in 2004.
Brian and Eliot learned a lot from the same book. They worked together for 14 years in Green Bay, most of them behind Ted Thompson. It's impossible not to share a scouting DNA. And that can inform us about how Eliot Wolf will operate in his first season as the New England Patriots' executive vice president of player personnel.
On Sunday, ESPN's Patriots beat writer Mike Reiss mentioned how Wolf will be active in the waiver wire after final roster cuts to improve the roster.
"Executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said he anticipates the Patriots being 'aggressive' on the waiver wire with the No. 3 priority, and offensive line and run-stuffing defensive tackle are among the numerous spots that look like they could use reinforcements."
It's interesting that Reiss nominally mentions Packers' defensive tackle Jonathan Ford as a name to watch because Jerry Montgomery, a former long-time Green Bay defensive line coach is now with the Patriots. But Wolf's priority should be the other position Reiss mentioned, the offensive line .
Against the Washington Commanders on Sunday night, the line was barely playable. Jacoby Brissett got hurt, and Drake Maye was pressured even to hand the ball off sometimes.
Based on how the offensive line is important in the Packers Way plan to build a roster, especially with a potential rookie quarterback starting soon, Wolf can take advantage of his Green Bay track record to make some claims.
Potential outcome
The Green Bay Packers have some 53-man roster decisions to make over the next few hours. The biggest one is if they will keep Kadeem Telfort and/or Travis Glover. Telfort, undrafted player from last season who spent 2023 on the Packers' practice squad, is competing with veteran Andre Dillard for the swing tackle job.
Presumably, both Dillard and Telfort will make the team. But the Packers can decide to keep Travis Glover instead of Telfort, since Glover was drafted in the sixth round this year. That would certainly create an opportunity for the Patriots to get a potential swing tackle for free — the Patriots have the third priority for waiver claims, behind the Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders.
If Telfort makes the Packers' roster as expected and Travis Glover doesn't, New England could give him a chance as well — getting a rookie sixth-rounder for nothing is a decent process.
Other options
In the case both Telfort and Glover make the roster or are unavailable for the Patriots, Eliot Wolf would still have other possibilities evaluating the Packers' cuts. Caleb Jones and Luke Tenuta share a similar profile, and both are unlikely to make the 53-man roster.
Jones has been with the Packers since 2022 as a developmental prospect, and he is a huge human being. The 25-year-old tackle is 6'9, 370 lbs, and has pass protection as his best attribute.
Tenuta was a sixth-round pick in 2022 by the Buffalo Bills. Released after training camp, he was claimed by the Indianapolis Colts. The tackle was cut once again in October of his rookie season, and the Packers claimed him. He's been a developmental project since, but missed last season because of an injury. Tenuta is 6'8, 314 lbs.
Interior
The Packers don't have so many options in the interior of the offensive line. If the Patriots want experience, Royce Newman might be the alternative. A fourth-round player in 2021, Newman started and played well as a rookie in 2021, but has dramatically regressed since. NFL teams still value playing time for offensive linemen, and he could be a depth piece.
The Patriots have to make a series of decisions by Tuesday to build the initial 53-man roster. But that doesn't mean that will be the 53-man roster by week 1, and this is especially true in the first year for Eliot Wolf to build the team like he plans to.
Related: Jacoby Brissett injury shows why the Patriots have been cautious with Drake Maye
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