The New England Patriots are still adjusting to the new era that doesn’t include either Bill Belichick or Tom Brady.

In the first season without either of them, the Patriots finished last in the AFC East with a 4-13 record and deployed one of the NFL’s most infertile offenses.

If one positive was achieved, it was that they have their franchise quarterback in place with Drake Maye, who they selected at No. 3 overall in 2024.

The rest of the picks that New England made last year didn’t pan out accordingly, which executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf admitted during an event held for season ticket holders on Sunday.

Receivers Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, and Jaheim Bell totaled 15 catches for 119 yards and two touchdowns. Offensive linemen Caedan Wallace and Layden Robinson also struggled, both earning Pro Football Focus grades in the 40’s. On the other side of the ball, cornerback Marcellas Dial recorded 12 tackles and forced only one fumble on the year.

Wolf says the organization learned its lesson with its draft approach, expressing that the team drafted for need instead of taking the best player available, which is how he will proceed in 2025.

“No, we don’t [feel compelled to draft for need],” Wolf said, via MassLive. “The best player available is going to be the way it is. Maybe we went for need a little bit too much last year. Obviously that culminated in us drafting Drake Maye, so it wasn’t all bad.

“But, just moving forward, it’s taking the best player, and understanding that we’ve filled a lot of needs already in free agency.”

The Patriots own the No. 4 overall pick in 2025 and could take the liked of offensive tackle Will Campbell, pass rusher Abdul Carter or wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter.