New England Patriots links 3/11/21 - New England still prime destination for FAs... even without a QB

TEAM TALK

• Mike Dussault talks about the Patriots picking up a pair of 2021 compensatory picks.

LOCAL LINKS

• Zack Cox reports the Patriots surprisingly received two compensatory picks in the Draft, rather than the three that were expected.
• Tom Westerholm reports the Patriots received the NFL’s highest 2021 compensatory draft pick after losing Tom Brady: the 33rd pick of the third round and 34th pick of fourth round.
• Jim Hackett gives us the Patriots offseason sales pitch to potential free agents. Pats aren’t as bad off as suggested.
• Doug Kyed presents three blueprints for the Patriots in free agency, dependent on who they add at QB.
• Tom E. Curran says free agency opens next Wednesday, and when it does, the Patriots should run right to the defensive line aisle.
• Andrew Callahan picks the Patriots’ best linebacker options in free agency.
• Karen Guregian questions whether signing Kyle Van Noy is the Pats best move at linebacker.
• Evan Lazar explains how the Patriots should approach the draft and free agency at wide receiver.
• David Heim’s NFL Draft hidden gems: Tennessee’s Josh Palmer could be good late-round wide receiver.
• Evan Lazar examines some free agent options for the Pats at tight end.
• Sean T. McGuire considers whether or not the Patriots should answer reported trade calls for N’Keal Harry.
• Dakota Randall highlights Greg Bedard talking about the Trent Brown trade as a precursor to another Pats move.
• Karen Guregian reports Dante Scarnecchia endorses the Patriots’ Trent Brown move.
• Zack Cox continues his series on the Patriots free agents with a look at OLB Shilique Calhoun, who faded after a strong start in 2020. Likelihood to return: Low.
• Doug Kyed looks at Patriots free agent Donte Moncrief who emerged late last season to fill the kick return role. He could return in 2021 to compete for snaps at wide receiver.
• Khari Thompson thumbnails five post-franchise tag free agents that make sense for the Patriots.
• Logan Mullen reviews ESPN’s free agency simulation that has the Patriots projected to spend big and sign Golladay, Smith and Ngakoue.
• Adam London relays ESPN analyst Matt Bowen who believes veteran DE Melvin Ingram would be a perfect scheme fit for New England.
• Sean T. McGuire revisits the time Bill Belichick raved about now free-agent WR John Brown, who was released by the Buffalo Bills yesterday.
• Sean T. McGuire wonders if the Patriots would go after WR Emmanuel Sanders who was just released by the Saints.
• CBS Boston notes “locally based” NFL Insider Albert Breer suggests free agents may not be eager to sign here.
• Khari Thompson highlights NFL insider Daniel Jeremiah on why he thinks the Patriots could draft Trey Lance.
• Zack Cox says the Pats met with intriguing prospect, UCLA RB/WR Demetric Felton.
• CBS Boston reports Patriots OL coaches were on hand to see Pro Day of Division III Center Quinn Meinerz.
• Mark Morse (PatsFans) Morse’s Morsels: Trading season, Pro Days and more.
• Michael Hurley finds that Chad Johnson is never hesitant to make fun of himself for his disappointing season with the Patriots.
• Locked On Patriots podcast: Mike D’Abate and Sara Marshall discuss the Trent Brown trade, the possible QB for which he will be blocking, and top options at WR and TE on the free agent market. (48 min.)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Albert Breer (SI) Mailbag: What are the expectations for the Cowboys after signing Dak Prescott? Plus, a Justin Fields comparison, likely Patriots cuts, the wide receiver market and how long Russell Wilson will stay in Seattle.
• Tyler Sullivan (CBS Sports) Patriots draft: N’Keal Harry trade rumors, Trent Brown deal latest examples highlighting first-round woes.
• Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Fifth-year option salaries are set for 2018 first-round picks. 23. Isaiah Wynn — $10.413 million, 31. Sony Michel, Patriots — $4.523 million.
• Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) NFL free agency 2021: Ranking the top 50 free agents, best players by position.
• Jordan Dajani (CBS Sports) AFC free agency matchmaking: Lamar Jackson gets new weapon, Dolphins upgrade at RB, Patriots add TE Hunter Henry.
• NFL Nation and Dan Graziano (ESPN) Simulating NFL free agency 2021: Who signs where, and why the Patriots are the big winners.
• Cody Williams (NFLSpinZone) Predicting landing spots where the top 50 players will sign.
• Conor Orr (SI) Six teams going all in on NFL free agency in 2021. Patriots included.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Patriots have fielded calls about trading N’Keal Harry.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) $15.7 million drop is only part of the salary-cap story.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Dolphins cut Kyle Van Noy.
• Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) Bills release starting WR John Brown to save nearly $8 million in 2021 cap space.
• Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) Draft prospects 2021: Big board of top 50 players overall, updated position rankings.
• Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) NFL’s highest-paid quarterbacks in salary, guaranteed money and total contract value.
• Danny Kelly (The Ringer) NFL Mock Draft 3.0: Trades shake up first round. Pats pick Tulsa LB Zaven Collins at 15.
• Tom Fornelli (CBS Sports) 2021 NFL Mock Draft. Pats pick Notre Dame LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah at 15.
• Charean Williams (ProFootballTalk) Rob Gronkowski “will be back playing football” in 2021.
• Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Texans announce coaching staff, Romeo Crennel as senior advisor.
• Report (AP) Two Patriots players among professional athletes threatened by sports gambler.