New England Patriots links 4/28/20 - Still digesting the draft, and a whole lotta FB love

TEAM TALK

• Erik Scalavino tackles this week’s Patriots Unfiltered Q&A: 2020 Draft postmortem.
• Patriots Draft Pick Profiles: Josh Uche - Kyle Dugger.
• Angelique Fiske helps us get to know the Patriots 2020 draft class.
• Patriots fullback James Develin retires; Statement from Bill Belichick.
• Player Q&A: David Andrews talks about being cleared to play football and his thoughts on the news of James Develin’s retirement. (4.33 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Andrew Callahan previews the Patriots’ top five position battles for the 2020 season. QB not included.
• Tom Westerholm gives us a roundup of what the experts had to say about the Patriots’ draft. Mel Kiper: “I’m not sold that 2019 fourth-rounder Jarrett Stidham should be the unquestioned starter...”
• Phil Perry shares what he’s hearing: League sources provide further insight into Patriots draft choices.
• Jerry Thornton recaps draft weekend for the Pats: In New England, it was nothing short of surreal. With unexpected picks, guys being taken rounds earlier than the experts thought, supposed areas of need being ignored... in other words, business as usual.
• Andy Hart believes the Patriots picked a bad year to target tight ends in the draft.
• Michael Hurley writes that even though BIll Belichick’s dog was the face of the Patriots draft, the ever-mysterious Ernie Adams was the real star of the weekend.
• Doug Kyed looks at where the Patriots could have drafted a quarterback, and why they didn’t.
• Mike Quilty (BelieveInBostonSports) Get to know Dan Vitale. “The 26 year old can run, block and catch the ball well, checking every box for Belichick.”
• Chris Mason notes Devin McCourty has already spoken to Kyle Dugger, and ‘kid is ready to work.’
• Chris Mason highlights The Athletic’s draft evaluation, with two scouts who were quite critical of new Patriots QB Brian Lewerke.
• Chris Warner (BostonSportsMedia) Who’s the FA? UDFA! 2020 Edition. Who among the chosen will be the rookie free agent that makes the Patriots roster?
• Zack Cox wonders if the Patriots should sign any of these available veteran free agents.
• Jerry Thornton takes the air out of the Justin Rohrwasser hysteria. /Good read.
• Doug Kyed says the Patriots rookie kicker becomes emotional and vows to remove his controversial tattoo.
• Mike Reiss reports longtime Patriots fullback James Develin retires from the NFL, including Develin’s Instagram message to thank the organization.
• Evan Lazar says James Develin was a great Patriot, but the coaching staff love their fullbacks and prepared for life without him.
• Doug Kyed talks about the domino effect of James Develin’s retirement on the Patriots offense.
• Jerry Thornton writes a sendoff to part man, part battering ram, FB Legend James Develin.
• Chris Mason hears from a number of James Develin’s former teammates on his retirement. Tom Brady: Jimmy’s ‘heart and soul’ separated him from the pack.
• Ryan Hannable tells us what draft pick in the Mohamed Sanu trade turned into.
• Locked On Patriots Podcast: Mike D’Abate recaps the 2020 NFL draft for the Patriots. (39 min.)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Albert Breer (SI) Monday Afternoon QB: Colts’ flexibility with Eason, who Eagles would’ve taken besides Jalen Hurts; More draft notes.
• Rodger Sherman (The Ringer) Six essential takeaways from the NFL’s first remote draft: Roger Goodell is ready for a nap. Plus, is a dog the mastermind behind the Patriots dynasty?
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Bill Belichick: James Develin was one of the most respected players we had.
• Dimitri Dorlis (TheMightyBruin) UCLA Football: TE Devin Asiasi NFL draft profile.
• Shalise Manza Young (Yahoo! Sports) Amid NFL draftees’ best moments, why did ESPN’s graphics showcase their worst?
• Andrew Bucholtz (Awful Announcing) ESPN says their much-criticized NFL Draft trauma coverage “introduces the human side of the players”
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Will teams wait to sign draft picks?
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) NFL would consider later Super Bowl, eliminating Pro Bowl if season is delayed.
• Chris Chavez (SI) Report: NFL considering starting season in mid-October, no bye weeks in contingency plan.
• Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Free agent signings no longer factor into compensatory draft pick formula.
• Charean Williams (ProFootballTalk) Patriots are betting favorites to sign Cam Newton.
• Jenna West (SI) NFL Rumors: Patriots still not interested in signing Cam Newton.