GREEN BAY, Wis. ― On April 16, eight days before the start of the NFL Draft, Louisiana State offensive linemen Will Campbell and Miles Frazier prepared for a private workout on campus with the Patriots. They had heard that coach Mike Vrabel, a 14-year NFL linebacker, still liked to get in the mix and grapple with players. They prepared accordingly.

Following the short-lived Jerod Mayo era, Mike Vrabel has stepped up as head coach for a Patriots team that has finished their last two seasons with a 4-13 record. Vrabel was aggressive in free agency, loading up defensively and adding a couple of noteworthy pieces on offense.