New England Patriots links 4/08/21 - Assume the position: Analysts take whacks on Pats’ 15th pick

TEAM TALK

• Patriots 2021 Mock Draft Tracker.
• Angelique Fiske says the proposed jersey number rule change has sparked a conversation among Patriots players.
• Paul Perillo and Mike Dussault discuss potential Patriots fits at QB in the upcoming NFL Draft. (4.44 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Ian Logue (PatsFans) Five Patriots & NFL things to know: 1) Texas A&M’s Kellen Mond is expected to be a day two prospect and could be someone the Patriots may consider depending on how the chips fall.
• Karen Guregian looks at Julian Edelman’s chronic knee woes and the tough decision the Patriots will have to make if he wants to gut it out this season.
• Chris Mason talks about Karen Guregian’s report that it’s doubtful Julian Edelman will be able to last a full season.
• Karen Guregian examines how the Patriots have fared with their top picks during the past decade.
• Zack Cox analyzes five positions he feels the Patriots could target with their first-round pick: QB, CB, OT, LB, WR.
• Hayden Bird tells us who the experts think the Patriots will pick in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft.
• Ricky Doyle highlights ESPN’s Marcus Spears’ belief that the Patriots “absolutely” could trade up to land the Falcons’ No. 4 pick.
• Ricky Doyle is keeping his eye on the QB situations in Carolina and San Francisco for a possible Teddy Bridgewater to the 49ers deal which would open the door for Jimmy G rejoining the Patriots.
• Ryan Hannable highlights Mike Lombardi on how he doesn’t think the Pats will trade up for QB in the draft.
• Evan Lazar profiles Wake Forest QB Jamie Newman, the best mid-round flier for the Patriots: In 2019, Newman’s tape was extremely impressive in an offense that didn’t make it easy on him and he added 574 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns.
• Ryan Hannable profiles potential Patriots target Florida Gators QB Kyle Trask.
• Andy Hart profiles potential Patriots target Northwestern OL Rashawn Slater.
• Matt Dolloff speculates on whether Cam Newton would be willing to accept a Brian Hoyer type of role.
• Ryan Hannable reports Dustin Woodard, the Pats’ 2020 7th-round pick, has unretired and is now back with team.
• Adam London notes former Patriots QB Brian Hoyer reportedly will take a free-agent visit with the Jets.
• Michael Hurley talks about Tom Brady comparing the Buccaneers to the Patriots “When you’re in one place for 20 years, you think that’s the only way, and I think when you go to a different place you realize, ‘Wow, there’s another way that people do things.’”
• Locked On Patriots podcast: Mike D’Abate talks with Louie DiBiase (Locked On Eagles) about versatile new Patriots, DB Jalen Mills and WR Nelson Agholor. (33 min.)
• Patriots Talk podcast: Tom E. Curran and Phil Perry talk with Joe Person (The Athletic) about why the Panthers are replacing Teddy Bridgewater with Sam Darnold. (33 min.)
• Greg Bedard Patriots podcast: Greg Bedard and Nick Cattles debate how the Patriots will upgrade their quarterback room, and what they’ll do at pick 15 in the 2021 NFL Draft (8 min. video)
• Greg Bedard Patriots podcast: Greg Bedard and Nick Cattles discuss whether Teddy Bridgewater would fit in New England. (7 min. video)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Albert Breer (SI) An all-2021 NFL Draft Mailbag: Falcons plans at No. 4; Which QB the 49ers prefer; Which non-QB the Dolphins would want; and teams like the Patriots trading up.
• Joel Corry (CBS Sports) Agent’s Take: The NFL’s most leveraged contract and what it means for the 2021 NFL Draft. The Falcons face a huge dilemma with the No. 4 pick thanks to Matt Ryan’s contract.
• Nora Princiotti (The Ringer) The great QB gold rush has created two different draft experiences: With such an intense pursuit of the top QB prospects, it’s hard to find a team that isn’t buying or selling in some capacity.
• Chad Reuter (NFL.com) 2021 NFL Draft: Seven potential Day 1 trades that make sense. No Pats.
• Doug Farrar (TouchdownWire) The teams most likely to still trade up in the 2021 NFL draft. Pats included.
• Brent Sobleski (Bleacher Report) Top potential suitors, deals for Atlanta Falcons’ No. 4 pick in 2021 NFL draft. Patriots included.
• Danny Jaillet (PatriotsWire) Patriots among teams meeting with Iowa State RB Kene Nwangwu.
• Peter Schrager (NFL.com) 2021 NFL mock draft 1.0: Pats trade up for Justin Fields, Cardinals go get Kyle Pitts.
• Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (USA Today) NFL mock draft 2021: Pats pick Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle at 15.
• Doug Farrar (TouchdownWire) Top prospects in the 2021 NFL draft class.
• Doug Farrar (TouchdownWire) The top 11 offensive tackles in the 2021 draft class.
• Mark Schofield (TouchdownWire) The top 14 wide receivers in the 2021 draft class.
• Jacob Camenker (Sporting News) Where is the NFL Draft in 2021? Location, city, tickets and beyond.
• Jacob Camenker (Sporting News) Draft order 2021: Updated list of all 259 picks, seven rounds, sorted by team.
• Chase Goodbread (NFL.com) Mac Jones among first group of prospects to accept 2021 NFL Draft invitations.
• Joe Rivera (Sporting News) Justin Fields is having a second pro day — and the 49ers will be there.
• Report (Sporting News) Ian Rapoport: ‘Multiple teams’ interested in trading for Teddy Bridgewater.
• Jordan Greer (Sporting News) Russell Wilson trade rumors: Carlos Dunlap spoke to Seahawks QB, believes he is ‘here to stay.’
• Jason Owens (Yahoo! Sports) Study takes on tough question: Did NFL fan attendance help spread COVID-19? /Oh, so NOW the NFL touts an MIT study?