New England Patriots links 2/16/21 - Tight end room remodel: Veteran options, draft prospects add hope

TEAM TALK

• Patriots 2021 Mock Draft Tracker.
• Patriots full list of 2021 NFL Draft selections.
• Mike Dussault gives us a rundown of the 2021 Patriots unrestricted free agents.
• Paul Perillo says thanks, but no thanks on J.J. Watt.
• Mike Dussault passes along a report of a new addition to the offensive coaching staff.
• Angelique Fiske reports Chris Hogan declares for Premier Lacrosse League entry draft.
• Angelique Fiske reports the McCourty twins joined a panel on “Trial 4” documentary on criminal justice reform.
• Do Your Life: Devin and Jason McCourty. (7.40 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Andrew Callahan lays out how the Patriots can be expected to rebuild this offseason: One bad season won’t upend the Pats’ front-office philosophy and there’s every reason to think the NFL’s premier franchise will expect to contend in 2021.
• Andrew Callahan believes it’s unlikely the Patriots will use the franchise tag again in 2021.
• DJ Bean analyzes the Pats QB hunt: What New England should give up for each QB on the trade market.
• Isaiah Houde (PatriotsWire) ESPN’s Mike Reiss gives specific breakdown on Patriots’ process for QB search.
• Phil Perry explores whether or not Carson Wentz is a possibility for the Patriots this offseason. A rapid decline in performance and a hefty contract make it complicated.
• Doug Kyed thumbnails seven tight ends who could be options for New England.
• Michael Hurley explores the possibility of the Patriots finding a veteran TE or two who may end up on the move, while we wait for Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene to take significant steps forward.
• Nick Goss wonders if the Patriots should make a trade for Eagles tight end Zach Ertz.
• Ryan Hannable suggests free agent pass catchers might not choose New England if their QB situation isn’t clear.
• Ryan Hannable tells us why this could be a good offseason to be looking for veteran tight ends.
• Jack Long (MusketFire) 3 free agent running backs Patriots should take a peek at.
• Evan Lazar’s Patriots Mailbag: Will the Patriots trade Stephon Gilmore this offseason?
• Jerry Trotta (MusketFire) 3 sneaky moves Pats should make in free agency. 3. Sign TE Robert Tonyan Jr.
• Nick Goss passes along a report of the Patriots meeting with Ole Miss TE Kenny Yeboah.
• Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) Patriots 2021 draft profile: Florida WR Kadarius Toney.
• CBS Boston notes Bill Belichick is reportedly set to add Bo Hardegree an offensive assistant coach.
• Robert Alvarez (PatsFans) Best of social media: The New England Patriots celebrate Valentines Day.
• Mike Luciano (MusketFire) Nick Saban’s latest round of Belichick stories are amazing.
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Cam Newton says he spent thousands, maybe millions of dollars on clothes he wore once.
• Phil Perry puts on his GM hat to make every Patriot draft pick in this mock draft, starting with trading waaay up to No. 4 overall.
• Danny Jaillet (PatriotsWire) Patriots mock draft: This Alabama DL might be a reach, but his upside is tempting.
• Patriots Talk Podcast: Tom E. Curran and Phil Perry discuss if the Pats should give restricted free agent J.C. Jackson an extension, and more. (44 min.)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Albert Breer (SI) Monday Afternoon QB: Suh’s Future, Washington’s front office strategy, coming TV deals; Plus, Suh on Brady’s value to the defense, Hurts’s workouts for Philly receivers, the new boss for Bears D, Watt leaves money on the table, and more.
• Jason La Canfora (CBS Sports) NFL insider notes: Don’t expect many big spenders in free agency, plus the latest on Carson Wentz and more.
• John Healy (Radio.com) 2021 NFL franchise tag players, deadlines, rules and updates.
• Steve Serby (NY Post) Bill Belichick must come up with answer to Tom Brady’s title.
• Ryan Dunleavy (NY Post) Chris Hogan knows how Tom Brady got Buccaneers to buy in.
• Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) Cowboys’ Dak Prescott headlines 2021 free agent quarterback class with many question marks.
• Eric Edholm (Yahoo! Sports) 2021 NFL draft: Ranking every position from strongest to weakest. Tight end: 10th.
• Josh Edwards (CBS Sports) 2021 NFL Draft: Breaking down the top five prospects at each offensive position.
• Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports) 2021 NFL Draft: Justin Jefferson and the impact of bias, plus other lessons from scouting hits and misses.
• Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports) 2021 NFL Mock Draft. Pats pick Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle at 15.
• Charean Williams (ProFootballTalk) Unprecedented Hall of Fame weekend will kick off with Cowboys-Steelers.
• James Jones and Derek Carr (NFL.com) What’s the Mt. Rushmore of active NFL QBs in 2021. (2.53 min. video)
• Myles Simmons (ProFootballTalk) Matthew Stafford: I had a good relationship with Matt Patricia.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Texans still list Jamey Rootes as team president; will Jack Easterby get that job eventually? /If I’m Jamey Rootes, I’m watching my back.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) 10-year TV deals could be done “within a month.”
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Vicis launches the first position-specific helmet.
• Ryan Young (Yahoo! Sports) 5-year-old hurt in crash involving ex-Chiefs coach Britt Reid awake from coma.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Buccaneers are “shocked and saddened” by sudden passing of Vincent Jackson.