New England Patriots links 3/30/21 - Offensive revival: Praise the return of two tight-end production

TEAM TALK

• Patriots 2021 Mock Draft Tracker.
• Erik Scalavino tackles this week’s Patriots Unfiltered Q&A: Roster reworking continues.
• Mike Dussault spotlights two potential first-round edge players that highlighted the University of Miami’s Pro Day.
• Patriots Hall of Fame now scheduling private on-site tours.

LOCAL LINKS

• Mike Reiss updates the Patriots to-do list, including finding common ground with Gilmore, monitoring Edelman’s injured knee and draft prep.
• Andrew Callahan goes inside the Patriots’ free-agent negotiations during their NFL record spending spree. “Have you seen the movie ‘The Big Short’? That’s how they treated this free agency,” said Henry Organ, who represents new Pats wide receiver Kendrick Bourne. “They saw this opportunity coming from a mile away.” /Terrific read.
• Ian Logue (PatsFans) Five Patriots/NFL things to know. 1) If Jimmy Garoppolo needed a little motivation, it appears he certainly got that after San Fran officially made it clear that they’re now doubting his future with their franchise.
• Khari Thompson’s Film review: How the Patriots can use Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith together to create big plays.
• Khari Thompson highlights Dante Scarnecchia saying the Patriots’ offense has the pieces to win now.
• Ryan Hannable profiles the second-tier quarterbacks in the draft more likely to be targeted by New England, even though they’ve been publicly scouting the first tier.
• Jerry Thornton lays out how on the Jimmy Garoppolo trade front, we are in the peak of lying season.
• Freddie Popken (GuyBostonSports) This N’Keal Harry comparison to Demaryius Thomas might shock some Patriots fans.
• Tom E. Curran suggests the Patriots would be wise to give Stephon Gilmore the extension he seeks.
• Zack Cox notes Stephon Gilmore is ‘very open’ to a Patriots extension according to a report.
• Andrew Callahan and Karen Guregian debate who was the Pats’ No. 1 signing this offseason.
• Karen Guregian reports Alabama’s Mac Jones says his ‘football IQ’ has impressed teams looking for a quarterback.
• Zack Cox Patriots Draft Rumors: Belichick attending Miami Pro Day. Miami boasts two of this year’s top edge rushers.
• Zack Cox Patriots Draft Rumors: Here’s who the Pats sent to Justin Fields’ Pro Day; Ohio State and Alabama both are holding pro days Tuesday.
• Matt Dolloff thumbnails the top-10 defensive prospects for the Patriots in this year’s draft.
• Zack Cox breaks down the Patriots drafts, position-by-position and round-by-round.
• Darren Hartwell updates the Power Rankings: Post-free agency standings for all 32 teams. Pats 16th (up from 20)
• Ryan Hannable looks at the Patriots’ Super Bowl odds following free agency.
• CBS Boston reports Cam Newton will be hosting interview show ‘Sip N’ Smoke’ on BET.com.
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Tom Brady celebrated 3/28 with a nod to his 28-3 comeback in Super Bowl LI.
• Locked On Patriots podcast: Mike & Murph discuss the likelihood of either re-acquiring Jimmy Garoppolo or trading up in the Draft to select their potential quarterback of the future. (34 min.)
• The New England Football Show: John Sarianides and Kevin Stone talk with Karen Guregian (41.40 min. video)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Albert Breer (SI) Monday Afternoon QB: What to expect from Justin Fields’s Pro Day workout; Plus, why Mac Jones will be throwing for a second pro day (and who will join him), an update on Super Bowl LVI and more.
• Danny Kelly (The Ringer) The biggest needs for all 32 teams entering the NFL Draft. Patriots: QB, CB, LB.
• NFL Nation (ESPN) Most impactful moves and 2021 offseason goals for all 32 NFL teams.
• Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) Top remaining NFL free agents at each position.
• Nick Shook (NFL.com) 49ers avoid being ‘left at the altar’ in QB derby, ‘very excited’ about prospects, future of Jimmy Garoppolo.
• Frank Schwab (Yahoo! Sports) 49ers insist Jimmy Garoppolo unlikely to be traded, but that would set up a very unusual situation.
• Jarrett Bell (USA Today) 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan on Jimmy Garoppolo’s reaction to blockbuster trade: ‘I’m sure Jimmy was a little pissed off’.
• Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) Top 50: 2021 NFL Draft prospect rankings 3.0.
• Lance Zierlein (NFL.com) 2021 NFL mock draft 3.0. Pats pick Penn State LB Micah Parsons at 15.
• Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) 2021 NFL Mock Draft. Pats pick Alabama QB Mac Jones at 15.
• NFL Nation (ESPN) NFL Power Rankings 2021: Post-free-agency poll, plus which teams made the best offseason moves. Pats: 19th (up from 20) Best offseason move: Double-dip at TE with Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry.
• Jacob Camenker (Sporting News) NFL Draft 40 times tracker: Who has the fastest 40-yard dash in 2021 draft class?
• Matt Glynn (Buffalo News) Bills’ home has a new name: Highmark Stadium.
• Dante Lasting (BuffaloBills) NFL.com believes Bills vs. Dolphins could become the ‘it’ rivalry
• Don Van Natta Jr. and Seth Wickersham (ESPN) The inside story on how the NFL got a 17th game from union boss DeMaurice Smith. /Short version: Money.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Nick Caserio: Texans take Deshaun Watson situation seriously, allegations are troubling.
• Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Deshaun Watson’s lawyer: No attempts to settle cases have been made.