New England Patriots links 2/26/18 - Malcolm Mitchell ‘feeling great,’ focus on being ready for OTAs

TEAM TALK

• Patriots.com takes a look back at how some of the current Patriots performed at the NFL Scouting Combine compared to some of the best performances for each event.
• Erik Scalavino Free Agent Forecast: Defensive line.
• Andy Hart and Paul Perillo debate which position on defense should be the Patriots priority this offseason.
• Patriots 2018 Mock Draft Tracker.

LOCAL LINKS

• Mike Reiss shares some quick-hit weekend thoughts: Nick Caserio at MIT Sloan Analytics Conferece; James White a ‘role’ model.
• Steve Balestieri (PatsFans) Patriots Sunday news, AFC East notes: While the team may opt for Bennett to return in 2018, it probably will not be for the $6.2 million dollar cap hit that the team didn’t want to pay in 2017.
• Rich Garven talks about how the Patriots are now full in the process of looking forward.
• Kevin Duffy gives us a Malcolm Mitchell update: The WR who missed the entire 2017 season sys he’s ‘feeling great.’
• Evan Lazar suggests that the Patriots may need to improve on their 30th-ranked pass defense, as they prepare to build their roster for next season. /Maayyybeee.
• Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) Patriots edge rushers in 2018, biggest need is health.
• Karen Guregian suggests it’s time for the Patriots to make Rob Gronkowski an offer he can’t refuse.
• Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) Patriots should bring back both LaAdrian Waddle and Cameron Fleming.
• Mike Reiss reports RB Brandon Bolden, whose main contributions come on special teams, will return for his seventh season after signing a one-year deal with the Pats.
• Mark Daniels takes a look at each position group, analyzing how the the team performed and where it might be heading: Quarterback.
• Nicole Yang notes Martellus Bennett reportedly no longer plans to retire.
• Mike Reiss projects the cost to the Patriots of picking up Malcom Brown’s fifth-year option.
• Tom E. Curran examines the safety position after a solid 2017 adding how they might need to add a new face to prepare for the future.
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) How Steve Belichick stays in touch with Patriots players’ needs.
• Mike Reiss talks about the retirement of David Harris and how he earned the respect of his New England teammates, despite not quite being a fit for the money.
• Mike Reiss addresses his Patriots Mailbag: Danny Amendola has proven his value; Harvey Langi update; Recovery of Brandin Cooks; More.
• Nicole Yang notes Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen are celebrating their ninth wedding anniversary.
• Nicole Yang notes Linda Holliday implies a vacation with Bill Belichick is unsurprisingly not much of a vacation.
• Nicole Yang writes on Drew Bledsoe sharing how making wine is a natural extension of Football.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Peter King (SI) Monday Morning QB: NFL Combine crash course: Mike Mayock on the best prospects, Top QBs in Indy.
• Conor Orr (SI) Cap Casualties: Players on the chopping block as 2018 NFL free agency approaches.
• Bucky Brooks (NFL.com) Scout’s Notebook: Patriots’ QB succession plan.
• Mike Freeman (Bleacher Report) Failing a marijuana combine test may no longer be NFL teams’ biggest concern.
• Gregg Rosenthal and Chris Wesseling (NFL.com) Top 101 free agents of 2018.
• Tim Rohan (SI) Phil Savage on mock drafts and the 2018 QB class.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) The 2018 starting quarterbacks, ranked by APY.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Salary cap is expected to be at least $178 million, could exceed $179 million.
• Charean Williams (ProFootballTalk) More than 100,000 fans already signed up for NFL draft lottery.
• Darin Gantt (ProFootballTalk) Full list of compensatory draft picks awarded for 2018 NFL Draft.

EXTRACURRICULAR

• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFLPA questions Mary Jo White’s role in Panthers investigation.
• Justin Terranova (NY Post) Bullied NFL lineman posts shotgun photo, forces high school to close.