With Mike Vrabel stepping away for the final day of the draft, here is how the front office plans to handle a heavy slate of eight selections on Saturday. Yankee Scores reports…

Mike Vrabel, head coach of the New England Patriots, will not be present at the third day of the NFL draft taking place on Saturday.7

Vrabel’s Statement

“As I said the other day, I promised my family, this organization and this team that I was going to give them the best version of me that I can possibly give them. In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend,” Vrabel said Wednesday night. “This is something that I have given a lot of thought to and is something I would advise a player to do if I was counseling them.

“I have always wanted to lead by example, and I believe this is what I have to do to be the best husband, father and coach that I possibly can be. This is not an easy thing for me to admit, but it is one that I know will make me a better person. I appreciate the support that everyone has given me and promise a stronger resolve as a result.”

Navigating the Fallout

Mike Vrabel intends to spend this weekend with his family away from Massachusetts.

In an interview on Tuesday, Mike Vrabel spoke for the first time after the New York Post published pictures apparently showing the coach being intimate with former Athletic sports reporter Dianna Russini at a resort in Arizona.

“We believe in order to be successful on and off the field, you have to make good decisions. That includes me,” he said. “That starts with me.”

Who Is Leading the Patriots’ Draft Room on Saturday?

Vrabel stated that he would remain in contact with the New England Patriots during the third and last day of the NFL Draft on Saturday but added that he had faith in executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and vice president of player personnel Ryan Cowden who would lead the draft room.

The New England Patriots come into the NFL draft with 11 selections, most notably the 31st selection in the first round. The eight selections on the third day of the draft are divided into two selections in the fourth round, one in the fifth, four in the sixth, and one in the seventh round.