The New England Patriots haven't been keen on throwing out the general manager title too often since owner Robert Kraft bought the team back in 1994 from James Orthwein.
In fact, no one has held that exact title, in name, since Pat Sullivan, son of former Patriots founder Billy Sullivan, was the general manager from 1983-91.
However, there has always been someone at the top of the proverbial food chain in New England. And, since Kraft bought the team, it could be argued that only Bill Parcells, Bobby Grier, Bill Belichick and now Eliot Wolf (Scott Pioli was alongside Belichick from 2000-08).
With the Patriots set to enter another stretch with a new top front office executive and a very important pick to make in the 2024 NFL draft, let's take a look at what they've done in the past in these situations.
Bill Parcells
Parcells was actually hired before Kraft took over as the team's owner in 1993 and was the de facto general manager until 1995.
In his first year with Kraft, the Patriots had the fourth overall pick, and they used it on linebacker Willie McGinest.
McGinnest played 12 seasons for the Patriots, recording 582 tackles, 86 sacks, 16 forced fumbles and five interceptions while helping the team win three Super Bowls before being inducted into the team's Hall of Fame. His 16 postseason sacks in his career still stands as the record today.
Bobby Grier
Grier had held a number of different roles for the Patriots from 1981 to 1995 when he took over as the director of player personnel.
In his first year in the new role, the Patriots selected cornerback Ty Law with the 23rd overall pick out of Michigan.
Law went on to play 10 seasons for the Patriots and 15 in total. He was named an All-Pro twice (1998 and 2003), a Pro Bowler five times (1998, 2001-03 and 2005) and won three Super Bowls.
He was also named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 2000s and was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame.
Bill Belichick/Scott Pioli
Belichick was hired as the team's head coach and de facto general manager in 2000, but due to his contract still being held by the New York Jets, New England had to give up their first-round selection.
With his first pick with the Patriots, Belichick selected offensive tackle Adrian Klemm 46th overall out of Hawaii. Klemm played five seasons for New England but never took over as a full-time starter.
Eliot Wolf
Wolf is a holdover from Belichick's regime and is currently set to make his first selection for the Patriots in 2024. At the moment, New England is third in the draft order, meaning they'll have an opportunity to get a franchise cornerstone right away.
He'll want to make a splash, and the team definitely needs it. The important thing will be drafting players more like McGinnest and Law and less like Klemm.
