New England Patriots links 4/04/19 - Media wary Pats can use draft to dig out of deep roster holes

TEAM TALK

• Andy Hart reports the Patriots Hall of Fame committee will convene today, and the latest group of nominees will be announced soon thereafter.
• Rob Rang’s Draft Prospect Profiles: Tight End.
• Don Banks makes his 2019 NFL Mock Draft 2.0. Pats pick Alabama TE Irv Smith.
• From NFL Network - Charley Casserly highlights two teams he believes could trade up in the 2019 NFL Draft, including the Patriots. (1.03 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Tom E. Curran is dubious the Patriots can make enough moves to dig themselves out of the deficit they’re in right now. “The team that walked off the field in Atlanta is long gone.”
• Ryan Hannable says the Patriots didn’t exactly crush the free agency portion of the offseason, and believes they will need to get creative during the draft.
• Mark Daniels continues his series on how the Patriots could fill need positions through the draft: Safety shelf well-stocked, but for how long?
• Doug Kyed explains that while Patriots rookie receivers can produce, expectations should be tempered. Plus the stat lines for every Patriots rookie receiver in the current era.
• Mike Cole NFL Rumors: Patriots haven’t ruled out Tom Brady retiring after 2019 season. /Wait, has he ‘officially’ committed to playing this year yet?
• Ryan Hannable thumbnails 5 QBs to keep an eye on as potential Patriots in the draft.
• Evan Lazar’s best Patriots draft fits: Linebackers.
• Zack Cox NFL Rumors: Patriots hosting versatile A&M DT Kingsley Keke for pre-draft visit.
• Joe Dwinell looks at Tom Brady joking on Twitter that he’s trying to rekindle his baseball dreams following all the megabucks contracts inked by MLB sluggers.
• Barry Werner (TouchdownWire) Report: Tom Brady says teen niece ‘is most athletic person in family’.
• NBC Sports Boston wonders if it’s time for a uniform refresh for the Patriots. /No.
• New England No-Huddle podcast: Andrew Callahan with guest Bob Glauber, who stops by to tell stories about Belichick, Bill Parcells and the days he used to debate Skip Bayless; Plus 3 draft prospects Patriots fans must know and why this is New England’s most important draft since 2010. (52 min.)
• Andrew Callahan puts together a 7-round projection for the Patriots in this year’s draft. Pats pick Clemson DT Dexter Lawrence at 32.
• Ryan Hannable highlights Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay’s mock drafts for the first two rounds. Both have the Pats picking Alabama TE Irv Smith at 32.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Robert Mays (The Ringer) The Patriots have long built their edge-rushing group around versatile players on cheap contracts. This spring, the Chiefs followed suit. Will other teams catch on to this strategy? And if they do, how will that affect one of strongest pass-rushing draft classes in recent memory?
• Kevin Clark (The Ringer) The Cardinals may have stumbled into a revolutionary idea: A bold experiment in stockpiling the most precious of NFL commodities: young, talented QBs.
• Charean Williams (ProFootballTalk) Andrew Whitworth: How do Rams respond to Super Bowl loss?
• Report (AP) Felony charge against Michael Bennett dropped: “A crime could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”
• Charlotte Triggs (People) Bridget Moynahan on the painful scrutiny of her breakup with Tom Brady and how they co-parent.
• Barry Werner (TouchdownWire) The last wide receiver chosen in the first round by all 32 NFL teams. Patriots: Terry Glenn (1996).
• Albert Breer (SI) AAF players who could get another shot at the NFL.
• Chad Reuter (NFL.com) 2019 NFL Draft: Eight trades that teams should make on Day 1.
• Michael C. (TouchdownWire) 4 real AFC sleeper teams: Jets, Bills, Broncos, Bengals.
• Michael C. (TouchdownWire) The NFL needs to change the helmet rule, but not the one you’re thinking about.
• Brad Gagnon (Bleacher Report) Gauging how hot every coach’s seat is heading into the draft.
• Lance Zierlein (NFL.com) 2016 NFL Draft do-over. /League owes the Pats a 1st-rounder.
• Curtis Crabtree (ProFootballTalk) Jason Witten admits hearing criticism over Monday Night Football sucked.
• Mark W. Sanchez (NY Post) New Jets uniforms appear to leak.
• NFL Throwback (NFL.com) Top 10 trick plays of the 2018 NFL season. (3.52 min. video)
• Charles Davis (NFL.com) 2019 NFL mock draft 2.0. Pats pick Kansas State OT Dalton Risner.
• Robert Klemko (SI) NFL Mock Draft. Pats pick Duke QB Daniel Jones.
• Will Brinson (CBS Sports) 2019 NFL Mock Draft. Pats pick Oklahoma WR Marquise Brown.
• Move The Sticks (NFL.com) Predicting every team’s first two picks of the draft. (18.20 video). Pats [17.16 mark] pick Mississippi State S Jonathan Abram at #32 and USC OT Chuma Edoga at #56.

EXTRACURRICULAR

• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) AAF players left stranded with nowhere to live. “...players who suffered injuries are now on the hook for their own medical expenses going forward.”
• Jim Reineking (USA Today) Alliance of American Football is just the latest in a long line of failed start-up leagues.
• Staff (ESPN) Kraft’s attorneys allege illegal search by police.
• Justin Leger passes along a Daniel Wallach report that the Boston Globe filed a motion to oppose Robert Kraft’s protective order of video. /Figures.
• Jerry Thornton offers his own special thoughts on John Henry’s Globe suing for the rights to see Robert Kraft’s sex tape. With ‘friends’ like this, who needs enemies?