Eliot Wolf, Ja'Lynn Polk and Caeden Wallace talk about the Patriots' Day 2 selections

Transcripts courtesy of Patriots Media Relations:

ELIOT WOLF

Q: What was your thought process with this last pick of Caedan Wallace, taking him as a primarily right guard, considering that you had Michael Onwenu on the roster? Just kind of explain that decision to us.

EW: So, he was a guy that we felt was athletic enough to possibly make the switch over on the left side. Really good pass protector, really took a huge step forward this year as a four-year starter. Athletic, can bend, strong, powerful, tough. He could possibly play guard. We think he could be a four-position guy, but definitely feel like he can play on the left side.

Q: Let's go right to [Ja’Lynn] Polk. Give us the rundown on the receiver, if you would?

EW: Yeah, he's a guy that we had our eye on for a while. He’s a really good fit in our offense. He's really tough, he's strong, he can run all the routes, play inside-outside. He's a good blocker. He’s really competitive, both for the ball in the air and as a run-after-catch player. He’s really just kind of a versatile, do-everything type guy. He ran a little bit faster than a lot of people expected, but when you turn the tape on, you see him running by people. So, definitely excited to add him to the mix.

Q: With Ja’Lynn Polk, is he a player that you could potentially see playing X receiver in the offense?

EW: Yeah, that's more of a question for Coach [Jerod] Mayo and [Alex] Van Pelt. But, the system that I come from, we never really talked much about X, Z, slot. We just really tried to add really good receivers, and it would end up working out for us. So, we feel like he's a guy that can play all the positions.

Q: Just going to move back to Polk, if we can. I was wondering how much influence Tyler Hughes maybe had on the pick? He obviously worked with him last year at Washington.

EW: Yeah, it definitely didn't hurt. Tyler knew him well, all those Washington guys. It was a good hire for us. Tyler's wealth of knowledge as a former head coach, and also being able to provide info on one of the best teams in the country last year at the University of Washington. We spent time with Ja’Lynn at the Senior Bowl, at the Combine. We didn't bring him in for a visit because there were really no other questions that we had about him. But, Tyler was obviously a proponent of all those guys, and it just kind of helps having that familiarity.

Q: So, Eliot, you said yesterday when I asked about supporting Drake Maye, you mentioned shoring up the offensive line and adding more offensive weapons. How happy are you with being able to do that here on day two of the draft?

EW: It fell really nicely for us. Polk was a guy we had targeted; Wallace was a guy we had targeted. We had some exploratory conversations about possibly moving back from 68, and then, it was just kind of like, ‘Well, why? This is the guy that we had wanted all along.’ So, sometimes it doesn't fall for you; it fell pretty nicely for us today.

 Q: Eliot, this is bigger picture on trades. In your experience in draft rooms over the years, or even this year, what has been your experience when you're talking with a team that's close to you, maybe in the division or in the conference? Can that be an additional challenge if you're trying to execute something one way or the other?

EW: I think it can be at times. It depends on your relationship with the people that you're talking to. We feel like we have actually really good relationships with all our division teams. We have a lot of respect for Brandon Beane, Chris Grier and Joe Douglas. So, that hasn't been a roadblock for us so far.

Q: But, maybe just competitively? Relationships can be great, but competitively, do you ever find like you don't want to help them out? Or, maybe they don't want to help you out if they have other options?

EW: Yeah, I think that's something that can happen. Again, that hasn't happened yet for us so far. So, hopefully that doesn't happen tomorrow.

Q: Can you walk us through the decision to make the deal with the Chargers? And then secondly, I'm curious if you were surprised at the run of tackles there at the end of the second round?

EW: Yeah, so we felt like Polk was the player that we were going to pick at 34, and we felt based on some of the intel that we had from other teams that we would be able to trade back a little bit and still get him. So, we made that deal and were able to move up from the fifth to the fourth with the Chargers. Then, your point about the run of tackles is a good one. That's part of the reason we decided not to move back. It was just kind of like, ‘Well, let's not chance it. This is the player we had targeted all along anyway. Let's just pick him.’

Q: With your presence here on this Zoom call press conference, does this mean you guys are done for the day? Or are you still exploring maybe coming back into the third?

EW: We're still going to do some exploration depending on how the board holds up. Obviously, I’m not keeping track of that right now, which has me pretty antsy, but we'll see how it goes.

Q: With taking Caedan, he's a guy who played his whole college career on the right side, and you also have the big extension from Mike Onwenu. That's two guys who have spent a lot of time on the right side. Is the team looking at either one of those guys and flipping over to the left side down the road?

EW: Yeah, we feel like Caedan has the athleticism to play over on the left side. Really, his teammate, Olu Fashanu, that the Jets drafted was the reason that he played on the right. So athletically, there's no reason why he couldn't make the switch over there. He's a really smart, dedicated kid that we feel like can handle that.

Q: It seems like with Drake Maye and Ja’Lynn Polk, that character stands out a lot in their profiles. What is it about Caedan Wallace in terms of an intangibles perspective that really stood out for you guys and made him your guy at Pick 68?

EW: Just from the intangibles, we brought him in for a pre-draft visit, and he's a really impressive kid. He comes from a great family. I think one of his brothers is like an oyster scientist or something like that. But, he was someone that we just got really comfortable with throughout the process. He's kind of a low-key guy, not real high energy until he gets in between those white lines and he goes after people. 

PATRIOTS 2024 SECOND-ROUND DRAFT PICK JA'LYNN POLK

Q: What are the Patriots getting in Ja’Lynn Polk?

JP: Man, they're getting a beast. A dude that loves football, loves his teammates. I’m ready to build, be able to bring a great player and a very electric person, and go on and win games.

Q: So, obviously, you’re the second-round pick for the Patriots, drafted after quarterback Drake Maye. What do you know about Drake? Do you guys have any connection and what are you looking forward to in kind of building this next rookie class with him?

JP: The guy's electric. He goes out there and he's able to make plays for his team. He’s a great guy, an awesome player, man. I haven't had an opportunity throughout this process to see a lot of his plays that he's been able to put up for his team. And, I'm excited to be able to get to work with him.

Q: Hey Ja’Lynn, do you just have the Patriots cap just hanging around your house there? How'd that work out?

JP: Hey, I had all of them ready, and God was able to bless me and give me the opportunity to be a part of a great organization. So, I'm blessed to have this hat on my head and represent the Patriots.

Q: That wasn't really my first question, but it just struck me that you had it on your head. That's great. Coach [Tyler] Hughes is here in New England. He was on Washington’s staff last year. I'm wondering how much do you think that connection is a part of you being here, and what do you remember about being with him?

JP: I just remember always being in the facility, always trying to build our team up and finding ways for us to go out there and win games. When you have an opportunity to be around great coaches like that, who are determined to get their players better, and their team as well, it creates a championship experience. So, it's a blessed opportunity just to be able to be called by a guy that loves to work and loves to win games.

Q: I'm wondering if you have any relationship with any of the receivers currently on the Patriots?

JP: When I first got to Washington, Junior Adams was our receivers coach. We had the opportunity to pop in on a Zoom meeting with Kendrick Bourne. He came in there and gave us some advice on how to work hard, continuously build on your craft and get better each and every day. So, I can't wait to go out there with him, JuJu [Smith-Schuster] and those other guys to pick at their game. I see the success that they've been able to have, so we can go out there and have success all together. So, I'm super excited and ready to go out there and make plays with those guys.

Q: I was just kind of curious about who's with you tonight and what that moment was like when you got the call from the Patriots, if you can kind of take us through everything that happened?

JP: I'm out here in Houston, Texas with my family. We had a little draft party and invited friends and family over. It's awesome, just having a great energy going around. This is one of these moments you dream about, and just for me to have the opportunity to dream and live this dream is truly a blessing. Seeing all the smiles and my mom, seeing the tears and knowing all her hard work – and my pops as well – that they put in. So, it's an honor for me to be able to represent the name that's on my back, and I'm excited to go put even more smiles on her face for the things that I'm about to go do for this team.

Q: Can you take us through your experience playing the different receiving roles in offense, the X, the Z, the slot O, all those different kinds?

JP: Yeah, I think being a new player, you've got to be able to know how to move around, do different things and be able to go out there and contribute to your offense. So, being versatile, being able to move inside and outside, know what everybody's doing on the field is very important. So, I think it's my job to know as much as I can, to go out there and make plays for those guys that are putting in work each and every play. I want to put my quarterback in the best situation possible. I know I'm going to be able to go out there and make plays for him. So, just being able to help other guys around me and make their job easier as well, so when that guy's lining up next to me, he can trust me. He can put the trust in me that I'm going to be able to know what I'm going to do. We can feed off each other, be able to communicate and help each other as well.

Q: How much contact did you have with the Patriots before the draft?

JP: I had an opportunity to have a couple of interviews and stuff. So, it was awesome, and I'm super excited to be part of this organization.

Q: Watching that Washington offense, man, you guys were bombs away. A lot of success downfield. For your game specifically, I'm wondering, how would you describe your strengths and your ability to have success in that downfield role, especially with a quarterback like Drake Maye, who loves to throw those kinds of passes?

JP: You know, my mindset is just be different. A lot of guys have put in a lot of work, so in order to separate yourself, you've got to find a way that you can be different within yourself. So, challenging myself, finding my weaknesses, the things that I need to work on to be able to excel in my game and separate myself from the best. So, just continuously have that high standard mindset of wanting to be better each and every day, pushing the guys around me and being a leader. So, I think what I bring to the table and feeding off the other guys as well is what's going to make us true to our game and capable of the things that we're going to be able to do outside on the field.

Q: And to that point, is there a specific area of your game that you would say you're actively trying to work on?

JP: I'm always trying to find a way to get better, just having more energy in my routes, being more efficient coming out of my breaks. So, that's something that I've had the opportunity to work on with my trainer, Delfonte (Diamond), these past couple of weeks leading up to this process. Being more explosive, being able to break off those tackles, make that extra guy miss, utilizing my body and my strengths. Knowing that I'm a physical receiver, stiff-arming a guy and making that guy miss. So, I'm excited to be able to show the world what I can do again and go help this team win games.

Q: Who would you compare your game to from modern day players in the league? Who would you look up to, who would you model your game after? Then, for those who don't know your playing style, just how would you describe it?

JP: I watch guys like Andre Johnson, Keenan Allen. Keenan Allen is one of those guys who played a major factor in who I watch on film. His ability just to make guys miss, go up and keep his balance, go get those extra yards, and having that certain dog mentality of going to lead his team. His releases are pretty good, so watching his releases, the things that he does in order for him to be able to create separation is elite. So, I always try to find an opportunity to watch guys that are elite at what they do because there's a reason why they're doing what they're doing.

PATRIOTS 2024 THIRD-ROUND DRAFT PICK CAEDAN WALLACE

Q: We just got off the phone with Eliot Wolf, the Patriots’ director of scouting. He expressed confidence that you could potentially play left tackle in the NFL. How confident would you be playing on the left side?

CW: Super confident. I play every position on the line. I am just excited to get there and learn from some great coaches and get after it.

Q: What was this night like for you? Who is with you and can you just take us through the moment when you got the call?

CW: Yeah, I am surrounded by family. I mean, it was just surreal and something I’ve been working towards my whole life. I am just crazy excited to be picked and be picked by the Patriots. It’s just been a whirlwind of a day.

Q: I know that you had some meetings with the Patriots and came on a visit. Was there anything that was said during those meetings that made you feel like this could be the spot you end up in?

CW: I wouldn’t say anything specifically, just really great talks all around. I just love the staff and learning under the staff. I’m excited.

Q: When was the last time you played left tackle in a game? We saw you played on the right side a lot at Penn State.

CW: In a game, it has been a while. I did a lot of work at the Shrine Bowl at left tackle, but super fluid. I am able to switch around at any position on the line, so I am confident wherever the coaches put me that I’ll succeed.

Q: On your visit, did you have any interaction with Scott Peters, the offensive line coach? And if so, what did you take away from that?

CW: Yeah, we had a great meeting, and he seems like a really awesome coach. A lot of great tips that I just had no clue about, so I am just excited to get down there and really get under his wing and learn more.

Q: How would you describe your game and what are you hoping to prove in the NFL?

CW: I would just describe my game as physical and intelligent. I’m a baller and I can’t wait to bring that to the League. I am just excited to get out there and learn more about the game and just grind.

Q: Reading your scouting reports, a lot of people were talking about the jump that you made in your final season in college. What was behind that? And maybe you can give us some insight into how you had so much success in 2022 against Michigan.

CW: To be honest, I am just a grinder. I love working. I love the game. I love figuring out new things about the game and how to improve my game. I am just locked in, I’ve been locked in, and this year everything came to fruition. I was able to tie everything together, learning these past few years.

Q: You had a lot of top-30 visits relatively late in the process. How would you describe what the activity was like, with the interest and involvement from teams around the league as we headed down the stretch toward the draft?

CW: I would say, pretty much throughout most of my process it was pretty high. I was able to talk to a lot of teams between the Shrine Bowl, the Combine, Pro Day, and things like that.

Q: You made the decision to play in the Shrine Bowl. A lot of players in your position might not have played in that Bowl game heading into the draft. What went into that decision for you and why was it important to be out there?

CW: I just love ball, so you tell me what field to play on, and tell me there are good coaches, I am going to go out there and ball.

Q: Who are your inspirations? Who are your idols? Who has helped you get to this point? And who have you modeled your game after?

CW: There are so many greats that I emulate my game after in the league. I mean, honestly, there are too many to name. We have legends like Trent Williams, Tyron Smith, Larry Allen, Terron Armstead, Ryan Ramczyk, all guys that I have been watching for years. I try to take aspects of their game and apply it to my game. It kind of works out for me.

Q: Eliot Wolf gave us a little tidbit into your background that your brother is an oyster scientist. Can you tell us a little more into what that entails?

CW: I’ll have the man himself tell you, he’s with me right here. (introduces his brother into the press conference)

Caedan Wallace’s brother, Charles Wallace: Hey everybody, how are you doing? I’m Charles Wallace, and I’m finishing up my PhD right now at the University of Florida. I do oyster science and oyster management stuff. I study how people interact with the environment and specifically with oysters and oyster management. So, pretty cool stuff.

Q: (directed to Charles Wallace) If you had to describe your brother, how would you describe your brother?

Charles Wallace: He is a hard worker. He is a grinder. He is going to show up every day. He is going to give his all. And, he is creative. Football is a craft for him. It’s an art. And I can’t wait for him to paint a beautiful picture in New England.