New England Patriots links 4/14/21 - Filling the Edelman-sized hole on the roster

TEAM TALK

• Patriots 2021 Mock Draft Tracker.
• Paul Perillo’s NFL Notes: Kraft optimistic for full crowds in fall; Another Edelman story; More.
• Angelique Fiske reports ‘toughest teammate’ Julian Edelman gets a show of love from friends and fans after announcing retirement.
• Highlights: A tribute to Julian Edelman. (5.38 min video)
• Patriots Unfiltered 4/13: Looking back at Julian Edelman’s career; Draft preview. (2 hours)

LOCAL LINKS

• Karen Guregian breaks down the current roster with the NFL draft two weeks away.
• Phil Perry suggests how the Pats can fill the Edelman-sized void on the roster, including using Nelson Agholor.
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) 7 things Patriots fans should know about WR Nelson Agholor.
• Doug Kyed picks a QB for the Pats in every round of the draft, and explains the “type” they look for.
• Doug Kyed selects a running back for the Pats in every round of the draft and explains what they value at RB.
• Adam London relays draft analyst Chad Reuter identifying the ‘ideal’ first two draft picks for the Patriots: Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle and Georgia CB Tyson Campbell.
• Ryan Hannable highlights Stephon Gilmore answering some questions regarding his contract.
• Alex Reimer questions who we should believe about the Patriots’ interest in Justin Fields.
• Nick Goss notes the Patriots are among three teams to attend Ohio State QB Justin Fields’ second Pro Day.
• Zack Cox tells us who the Patriots sent to Justin Fields’ pro day.
• CBS Boston hears from Brandon King on OTAs: ‘If Bill [Belichick] tells me to report, I’m reporting.’
• Karen Guregian and Andrew Callahan’s Patriots point-counterpoint: If not quarterback, which position should Bill Belichick target at No. 15?
• Mark Morse (PatsFans) Happy Birthday Bill and how might his “advanced age” affect the draft. /Still in his prime.
• Tom E. Curran wonders if New England could be a landing spot for Aaron Rodgers. /Insert eye-roll emoji here.
• Clare Cooper (FullPressCoverage) A Clare perspective: The sugar fix addiction that is the NFL draft.
• Andy Hart profiles potential Patriots: Virginia Tech T Christian Darrisaw.
• Michael Hurley tells the story of how the Patriots discovered Julian Edelman.
• Khari Thompson notes Ian Rapoport says Julian Edelman and the Patriots both realized his knee injury might be career-ending after he got surgery last year
• Ryan Hannable explains Julian Edelman should be in the discussion to one day be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but his case is complicated.
• Ian Logue (PatsFans) Belichick backed him into a corner and Julian Edelman rose to the challenge.
• Alex Reimer says Julian Edelman’s toughness was his most unforgettable trait.
• Chad Finn points out how Julian Edelman was unfailingly at his best when it mattered the most.
• Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) Kraft Needs to waive 5-year rule, put Edelman in the Hall this summer. /Only objection I have to that is the potential restriction on fan attendance.
• Marcus Kwesi O’Mard mentions how Julian Edelman’s Hall of Fame credentials are a hot topic, with some old veterans immediately dismissing his chances.
• Phil Perry highlights ten quintessential Julian Edelman moments that define his Patriots legacy.
• Alex Barth gives us his top 11 moments of Julian Edelman’s career. 10. 77-yard catch-and-run vs. Miami. 9. Playing cornerback.
• Matthew Geagan highlights the 11 best moments of Julian Edelman’s career.
• Tom Westerholm picks off Julian Edelman’s 5 best plays as a Patriot. No. 4: Edelman makes five Cowboys miss on TD run (10-11-15)
• Nick Stevens highlights 5 plays that defined Julian Edelman’s time with Patriots. 2011: The longest punt return.
• Ian Logue (PatsFans) The full transcript from Julian Edelman’s retirement announcement.
• Patriots Talk podcast: Tom E. Curran and Phil Perry debate if the Pats will draft defense at No. 15. (56 min.)
• Locked On Patriots podcast: Mike D’Abate and Steve Balestrieri reflect on Edelman’s legacy, career and Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy, plus how the Pats might look to fill the void he left behind. (39 min.)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Bryan DeArdo (CBS Sports) Julian Edelman might be inducted into the Hall of Fame one day, but not ahead of these five receivers.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) LeSean McCoy: I’ve got a good shot at the Hall of Fame, Julian Edelman does not. /Two words.
• Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) Top remaining NFL free agents at each position.
• Kaelen Jones (The Ringer) The ugly narratives surrounding Justin Fields’s tumbling draft stock.
• Mike Jones (USA Today) BYU QB Zach Wilson is the buzz of the NFL draft. But does his potential warrant the hype?
• Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) 2021 Draft “Better-Than” Team: 20 guys I like more than the scouts do.
• Adam Schein (NFL.com) Discounted players I still believe in. No Pats.
• Sam Cooper (Yahoo! Sports) Who will be the first defensive player selected?
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFL sees attempted offseason workout boycott as a potential win.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Agents will be key factor in whether offseason workout boycott succeeds.
• Kevin Seifert (ESPN) NFL memo says it expects all teams’ ops staffs to get vaccine unless ‘bona fide’ reason not to.
• Ben Pickman (SI) NFL to restrict access to team employees who refuse COVID-19 vaccine without reason.
• Mel Kiper Jr. (ESPN) Why the Patriots might trade up with the Cowboys to draft Justin Fields at No. 10 in his latest mock draft. (1 min. video)

EXTRACURRICULAR

• Madeline Coleman (SI) Report: One accuser drops civil lawsuit against Deshaun Watson.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Dismissed civil case against Deshaun Watson was not settled.