Former Patriots coach Bill Belichick had a different role for this year’s NFL Draft, playing TV analyst instead of running his team’s draft board and making the picks. Belichick is serving as an analyst on the Pat McAfee Show’s Draft Spectacular, and he seems fired up for the opportunity.
Dressed in a gray suit and pink tie, Belichick enthusiastically worked the draft board for McAfee and his crew around 6 p.m. on Thursday, two hours before the start of the draft. The telecast (streaming on YouTube, TikTok, and ESPN’s app) has its own draft board with prospect rankings and team needs, and Belichick was moving player tiles and explaining his philosophies with the energy of the 2001 version of himself.
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A crowd of about 50 fans stood to watch Belichick’s warmup act with McAfee, and chanted his name when he came outside the makeshift TV booth, though he didn’t engage with fans.
Belichick is planning to have a regular media presence in 2024, with appearances on ESPN’s ManningCast and other projects with Omaha Productions and NFL Films.
An NFL source who spent time with Belichick earlier in the day on Thursday noted how excited Belichick was to be on the media side of the draft.
“Great mood,” the source said. “So into the draft and the behind-the-scenes activities, which he’s never seen before.”
Belichick also joined McAfee and his crew to provide running commentary as the draft unfolded, starting with No. 1 selection Caleb Williams, the Southern Cal quarterback chosen by the Bears.
“Caleb’s a really talented guy. He’s kind of like Russell Wilson. Really good lower body, strong, fast, and has a tremendous arm,” Belichick said.
When the Patriots drafted Drake Maye at No. 3, Belichick provided a positive assessment.
“Certainly that’s a top need for [the Patriots] ... Very talented kid. Good size, runs well, has a good arm. Just hasn’t played very much,” Belichick said.
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"Drake Maye and Caleb Williams are really talented..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 26, 2024
They can make those flash plays but it's consistency that's gonna make you a championship Quarterback" ~ Bill Belichick#PMSDraftSpectacular pic.twitter.com/lzCSexKaGM
This year marks the first time in 48 years Belichick isn’t in a war room. He said teams don’t know what they plan on doing in the draft until around two weeks before.
Belichick also outlined the traits he looks for in a quarterback – decision making, accuracy, and mental toughness.
Belichick already breaking down the draft board for McAfee and crew pic.twitter.com/GJlJxwdpmi
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) April 25, 2024
Globe correspondent Eli Cloutier contributed to this report.
Ben Volin can be reached at ben.volin@globe.com.