new york post coverage on the Patriots’ draft weekend centers on Mike Vrabel, who said Wednesday he would miss Day 3 of the NFL Draft to begin counseling. The team carried on Saturday at Gillette Stadium without him in the draft room, while leadership said the draft plan was already in place. The absence came after published photographs involving Vrabel and NFL reporter Dianna Russini intensified attention around his personal situation.
Patriots move through the draft without Vrabel
The Patriots used Saturday to close out their 2026 draft class, selecting six players and adding developmental depth across the board. New England chose Wake Forest cornerback Karon Prunty at No. 171, Texas A& M offensive tackle Dametrious Crownover at No. 196, TCU linebacker Namdi Obiazor at No. 212, Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton at No. 234, Alabama running back Jam Miller at No. 245 and Boston College edge rusher Quintayvious Hutchins at No. 247.
The team entered the day without a fourth-round pick after trades earlier in the draft, and it picked up additional selections through deals with the Jaguars and Vikings. Vice president of player personnel Ryan Cowden said the focus was on finding competition at the back end of the roster and building depth with young players who can be molded by the coaching staff.
Cowden also made clear that the organization had planned for Vrabel’s absence. He said the draft evaluations were complete and that Eliot Wolf and the personnel staff were ready to execute the plan as scheduled. The Patriots said they were operating normally despite the change at the top of the room.
new york post and the fallout around Vrabel
The new york post angle on this story has been driven by the overlap between the draft absence and the published photographs that placed Vrabel and Russini in the same New York City bar years earlier. In that context, the team’s public support for Vrabel’s decision to prioritize family and well-being became part of the larger weekend picture.
Vrabel said he had promised his family, the organization and the team that he would give them the best version of himself, and he described counseling as a step toward becoming a better husband, father and coach. He also said he wanted to lead by example and believed the decision would make him a better person.
What the Patriots said
The New England Patriots said they fully support Vrabel’s decision and respect the steps he is taking. The team said it was confident in the leadership and communication Vrabel had established with personnel staff throughout the pre-draft process.
Ryan Cowden kept details limited when asked about contact with Vrabel while he was away. He said the organization and Vrabel had already put out statements and that preparation had allowed the team to operate as it normally would. ’s Peter Schrager said during the broadcast that the Patriots were in constant contact with Vrabel on Saturday.
What happens next
The draft is now in the books for New England, and the next step is how the newly added players fit into the roster battle ahead of the coming season. The bigger watch point remains Mike Vrabel, whose counseling decision and absence from Day 3 will keep him at the center of attention as the Patriots move forward.
For now, the Patriots say the process is moving ahead as planned, even as the new york post remains tied to the most closely watched off-field story surrounding Mike Vrabel.
