Mike Vrabel focused on draft not Patriots trade rumors

Q: What did Mike Vrabel say about A.J. Brown trade rumors?

Mike Vrabel stated that the team's focus is on the NFL Draft and not on trade speculation regarding A.J. Brown.

Q: What is the New England Patriots' draft position in 2023?

The New England Patriots are set to pick 31st overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Q: Who is Kayshon Boutte and what is his status with the Patriots?

Kayshon Boutte is a wide receiver for the Patriots, and he is not participating in the offseason workout program, though Vrabel did not confirm if it was related to trade talks.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 04: A.J. Brown #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles and Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans hug after the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 4, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images The New England Patriots have consistently been linked to trade speculation surrounding Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown this offseason. That chatter continued this week ahead of the NFL Draft, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the most likely scenario will be Brown being traded to the Patriots after June 1. When asked about the most recent report on Tuesday, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel stuck to the same approach the team has maintained this offseason when asked about Brown. “I think we are going to continue to try to strengthen our team,” said Vrabel, who claimed he did not see the report. “The first focus is going to be on Thursday night and making sure that we get that right, and then we’ll focus on Friday. Saturday is always an important day. “Just to continue to build our roster. Eliot [Wolf] and Ryan [Cowden] will have numerous conversations with different teams, but our first focus is gonna be on the draft.” New England is currently set to pick 31st overall Thursday night. Vrabel said the team remains open to trading up, trading back, or sticking and picking. Any decision with that pick is not expected to be influenced by a potential Brown deal later in the offseason. “We’re going to approach every draft with the same mentality. And that’s get the right players in the right spot to be able to draft the best player available that fits who we are, how we want to play,” Vrabel said. “The versatility, the skillset, the ability to grow. There’s also measurable to this game. There’s height, weight, speed. There’s a bunch of variables. But our conversations with other teams are gonna be surrounded around doing business on Thursday or Friday or Saturday.” The addition of Brown or another wide receiver would make one on the Patriots current roster expandable. Due to fit and contract status, is the top candidate as NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reported the 23-year old’s name has come up in trade talks this offseason. Vrabel confirmed Boutte is not in New England for the start of the Patriots’ offseason workout program, but would not acknowledge whether it was current or trade related. “Don’t really try to have a sense of anything — why guys don’t come. It’s voluntary, but I will tell you that Kayshon has communicated, which I texted him and told him that I respected him for doing so,” Vrabel said. “But there are different reasons why guys aren’t here, or they’ll miss a day. That’s their prerogative. It’s voluntary. “We have a few days that are mandatory. We just want to make it a product that they feel like is worthwhile being here. That’s important.”