New England Patriots links 4/16/21 - Belichick open to ‘swipe right’ on different-style QB

TEAM TALK

• Patriots 2021 Mock Draft Tracker.
• Mike Dussault notes Bill Belichick spoke with the media for the first time since the end of the 2020 season to preview the upcoming NFL draft.
• Press Conference transcript: Bill Bellichick (plus 24 min. video)
• Community: 13 ways to commemorate One Boston Day.
• Patriots Unfiltered 4/15: Will players show up for OTA’s, Draft preview, Bill Belichick’s first appearance of the season. (2 hours)

LOCAL LINKS

• Karen Guregian understands Bill Belichick can’t tip his hand, but his press conference provided little information on the team’s next quarterback.
• Andrew Callahan reports Bill Belichick laid out how and why the Patriots might trade up from 15th overall.
• Matt Dolloff wonders if Bill Belichick is willing to draft a different style of quarterback.
• Mark Daniels notes Bill Belichick describes an ‘interesting group’ of QBs available in 2021 NFL draft.
• Khari Thompson notes Bill Belichick says evaluating players is ‘a little bit different’ heading into this year’s draft.
• Doug Kyed picks a tight end for the Pats in every round of this year’s draft.
• Andy Hart profiles potential Patriots prospects who could be a target in the draft: Miami Edge Jaelan Phillips.
• Zack Cox notes Belichick’s response to Robert Kraft’s Patriots draft comments, ‘We’re always looking to get better.’
• Danny Jaillet (PatriotsWire) Matt Patricia among Patriots assistants involved in NFL draft prep.
• Ryan Hannable looks at if Bill Belichick is taking a more collaborative approach with the draft this year.
• Doug Kyed addresses his Friday Patriots Mailbag: Who could replace Julian Edelman in 2021 draft?
• Conor Roche relays ESPN analyst Louis Riddick, who thinks Bill Belichick will be more aggressive on draft day. “I think if the price economically makes sense, he’ll be a player.”
• Ryan Hannable highlights Adam Schefter giving insight into how the Patriots view the quarterback position.
• Alex Reimer thinks the Patriots trading up for Justin Fields would be awesome.
• Jerry Trotta (MusketFire) The one glaring roster need we’re not talking about enough: Linebacker.
• Conor Roche notes Cam Newton has had numerous workouts with teammates this offseason; Most recently he worked out at Boston College.
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Nelson Agholor expects Josh McDaniels to highlight his versatility.
• Zack Cox takes looks at this year’s QB class and their potential fit in New England: BYU’s Zach Wilson. The Patriots likely will be seeing the BYU QB twice each season
• Isaiah Houde (PatriotsWire) 4 things Patriots fans should know about DB Jalen Mills. 2. He’s the perfect replacement for Patrick Chung.
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) 6 things fans should know about TE Hunter Henry. 2. His injury history is lengthy.
• Khari Thompson highlights receiver Chris Finke sharing advice Julian Edelman gave him in college, “Use every rep”.
• Jacob Camenker re-grades the Patriots’ haul in the 2018 NFL Draft.
• Locked On Patriots podcast: Mike D’Abate talks with SEC Draft expert Andrew Caraway about the top prospects in the upcoming draft from the SEC. They also discuss the Pats’ observation of Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields’ second Pro Day. (44 min.)
• Patriots Beat podcast: Evan Lazar and Alex Barth discuss their takeaways from Bill Belichick’s pre-draft press conference and if the Patriots will ultimately pull the trigger on a QB. (11.35 min. video)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Albert Breer (SI) Game Plan: Landon Dickerson on pepping for the draft while rehabbing an injury; Plus, notes on the latest NFL/NFLPA squabble, Justin Fields’s second pro day, recent WR draft trends and more.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Happy 69th birthday, Bill Belichick. /Followed by speculation on how long he’ll be able to coach before he’s too old.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Bill Belichick on spending in free agency: “It averages out.”
• Jeff Kerr (CBS Sports) Bill Belichick doesn’t tip hand on any Patriots plans to add a quarterback or trade up in 2021 NFL Draft: The Patriots are candidates to move up, but will they?
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Bill Belichick marvels at Julian Edelman’s transition from a college QB.
• NFL Nation (ESPN) NFL win total predictions for 2021: Reporters make over/under picks for all 32 teams. Patriots: Over/Under: 9. Prediction: Over. “the possibility of 10 wins seems realistic.”
• Matt Miller (TheDraftScout) Scouting Notebook: With less than two weeks before the NFL Draft, we dive in to all the latest rumors. “New England — A trade up for a quarterback is very likely, based on what those around the league are hearing and the dots that are being connected. Remember, Bill Belichick has a close tie to the Ohio State program and will attend the second pro day for quarterback Justin Fields. It’s maybe too convenient to connect the two, but if the Patriots can move up for him I do think they would pull the trigger.”
• Dan Wetzel (Yahoo! Sports) Mac Jones’ shortcomings don’t fit into today’s NFL. Yet, he could be QB outlier worthy of 49ers’ draft gamble.
• Tim Keown (ESPN) Who is Trey Lance, the draft’s most mysterious prospect?
• Nate Davis (USA Today) 11 NFL teams that might turn heads by picking a quarterback in 2021 draft. Pats included.
• NBC Sports EDGE Staff (Yahoo! Sports) 2021 NFL draft rankings.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Justin Fields is now the betting favorite to go third overall.
• Gregg Rosenthal (NFL.com) General Manager Power Rankings: NFL draft edition! Bill Belichick 18th. /Lolz.
• Ian Wharton (Complex) Every NFL team’s worst first-round draft pick since 2011. Patriots: N’Keal Harry (2019). Runner up: Dominique Easley (2014).
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFL, NFLPA need to resolve the offseason workout issue.
• Mike Jones (USA Today) NFLPA still not satisfied with NFL’s plan for offseason workouts.
• Andrew Marchand (NY Post) Inside Amazon’s plan to transform the sports broadcasting world.
• Report (NFL.com) NFL announces tri-exclusive official sports betting partners.
• Rob Maaddi (AP) Dolphins QB Jacoby Brissett prepares for life after the NFL.
• Doug Farrar (TouchdownWire) On National High-Five Day, a brief history of Tom Brady left hanging.

EXTRACURRICULAR

• Michael Phillips (Richmond Times-Dispatch) Washington owner Dan Snyder files court papers against Bruce Allen, alleging Allen played a role in negative stories.
• Andrew Limberg (Radio.com) Attorney: Aaron Donald wasn’t the attacker, he actually saved the victim.
• Jake Malooley (ESPN) Googly eyes, Sasquatch suits and a runaway booger: Welcome to the Mascot Hall of Fame.