New England Patriots links 4/01/20 - Possible for Pats to pull two starting TEs from this year’s draft?

TEAM TALK

• Mike Dussault details the latest announcements from the league: NFL expects full 2020 regular season, approved a playoff expansion to 14 teams, and more.
• Erik Scalavino tackles this week’s Patriots Unfiltered Q&A: Roster depth, cap space, and draft deals
• NFL postseason expansion explained.
• Patriots and Revolution team with Massachusetts Military Support Foundation to provide 1.4 million meals to active duty military, veterans and their families.
• #TogetherWhileApart: Matthew Slater, Devin McCourty & more Patriots share important messages regarding COVID-19 and our mission to be #TogetherWhileApart. (2.20 min. video)
• Highlights: A look back at Stephen Gostkowski’s 14 year career with the Patriots. (1 min. video)
• Highlights: A collage of moments to thank Elandon Roberts, Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins. (1 min.)
• Patriots Unfiltered 3/31: Building the 2020 roster; all-time best Patriots game? (2 hours)

LOCAL LINKS

• Jeff Howe (The Athletic) Let’s update our offseason to-do list for the Patriots. 2. Acquire two starting-caliber tight ends. “The real work might have to wait for 2021 because the market was overly expensive this offseason.”
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Analyzing Patriots’ top selection in Todd McShay’s mock draft: Should defense be a focal-point?
• Michael Hurley pleads can we as a society come together and agree to not do the ‘Belichick or Brady’ argument? /For the love of all that is holy and good...
• Mike Reiss shares a copy of Bill Belichick’s 1991 scouting notes that still apply today, and show how he has stuck to his convictions all these years later. /Pretty cool.
• Chris Mason points out the 9-7 Rams and 8-8 Steelers would have advanced last year with expanded playoffs.
• Ryan Hannable hears from David Andrews on how after missing all of last season with blood clots in his lungs, he’s ready to get back on the field.
• David Latham (LastWordOnSports) Antonio Gibson could be the Next James White for New England Patriots.
• Danny Jaillet (PatriotsWire) How Adrian Phillips fits in the Patriots defense.
• Phil Perry has identified a host of college prospects who could be potential fits for the Patriots at cornerback.
• CBS Boston thumbnails potential Patriots in this year’s draft: Linebackers - Tight Ends.
• Andy Hart suggests Bill Belichick should tank in 2020 if he wants to do what’s best for the team. /Not an April Fools Day column.
• Karen Guregian says it certainly can’t hurt to inquire if Cam Newton would be willing to come to New England on a reduced rate, in a short-term, prove-it-type deal after a couple injury-plagued campaigns. /Ugh...
• Tom E. Curran finds that fans overwhelmingly prefer for the Patriots to go with Stidham-Hoyer in 2020.
• Joy Manning (BostonSportsChick) When has Belichick let a guy go too soon? Part 1 and Part 2.
• Jacob Camenker reports Hall of Fame GM Gil Brandt says Bill Belichick is the best drafter of his lifetime.
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) The next Belichick: Steve walks in father’s shadow, for now.
• Darren Hartwell explains how the Dolphins’ reported run at the 2020 No. 1 pick could impact the Patriots if they pull it off.
• Phil Perry issues his 2020 NFL Mock Draft 4.0: Patriots invest in protecting Jarrett Stidham.
• Patriots Talk Podcast: Consensus that this New York team will be in charge of AFC East. (2.07 min.)
• Locked On Patriots podcast: Mike D’Abate and Thomas Murphy discuss draft strategy and the new ‘Face’ of the Patriots franchise. (31 min.)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Jenny Vrentas (SI) The NFL insists the 2020 season will go on as scheduled, but will it?
• Jarrett Bell (USA Today) Efficient, widespread coronavirus testing could be key to holding 2020 season on time.
• Mike Freeman (Bleacher Report) 10-Point Stance: Is the NFL over Jameis and Cam already?
• John Breech (CBS Sports) Seven NFL trades that need to happen before draft.
• Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (USA Today) How contenders can address glaring needs with top prospects.
• Mark Schofield (TouchdownWire) Scouting breakdown: The 11 best quarterbacks in the 2020 NFL draft.
• Mike Goodpaster (TheGruelingTruth) The top-5 offensive tackles in the 2020 NFL draft.
• Eric Edholm (Yahoo! Sports) Top 2020 NFL draft prospects. Nos. 100-33.
• Henry McKenna (ForTheWin) The 31 highest-paid players in NFL history.
• Peter Schrager (NFL.com) NFL mock draft 1.0. Pats pick Southern Illinois S Jeremy Chinn.
• Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports) Two-round 2020 NFL mock draft. Pats pick LSU WR Justin Jefferson at 23.
• Slow News Day (The Ringer) Kevin Clark and Chris Long discuss re-watching Super Bowl LI, Bill Belichick’s big offseason advantage in 2020, and hand out some ‘Tiger King’ superlatives. (7.19 min. video)

EXTRACURICULAR

• Nick Goss relays ex-Patriots exec Scott Pioli telling a great Tom Brady story from Super Bowl LI.
• Zack Cox highlights WEEI guest Wes Welker on what he believes Tampa Bay will be getting with an extra-motivated Tom Brady this season.
• Scott Edwards Jr. counts down the top 20 Tom Brady moments. No. 11: QB becomes first unanimous MVP in NFL history.
• Des Bieler (Washington Post) Buccaneers insist Tom Brady has ‘plenty of arm’ left — and they might be right. /”might”???
• CBS Boston reports the Buccaneers released a slick highlight video of Tom Brady throwing TDs to Mike Evans, Chris Godwin.
• Ryan Hannable thinks coronavirus may be impacting the release of the 2020 NFL schedule.
• Sean T. McGuire notes Pro Football Talk doubles down on its weird take about ‘The Patriot Way’ by quoting Terrence “Pot Roast” Knighton who couldn’t make it through August back in ‘16.
• AP Report (ESPN) Rob Gronkowski to serve as grand marshal for virtual NASCAR race.