New England Patriots links 5/02/21 - 2021 NFL Draft: Bonus weekend edition!

TEAM TALK

• Mike Dussault gives us 10 key takeaways from Patriots 2021 draft: One thing is clear, this is a significantly stronger and deeper roster than 2020’s was. 1. A new hope.
• Paul Perillo sees Bill Belichick creating some competition on defense with his Day 2-3 picks.
• Erik Scalavino sees the Patriots adding depth all around on Day 3.
• Angelique Fiske helps us get to know the Patriots Day 2 and Day 3 draft picks.
• Roundup: How the experts reacted to the Patriots’ draft: Day 1 - Day 2 - Day 3.
• Conference Call Transcripts: Bill Belichick, and the Patriots’ draft picks.
• Mike Dussault talks about the news that this draft will be Ernie Adams’ last with Patriots.
• Angelique Fiske reports Nike makes his triumphant return to the Patriots Draft war room. “What do you think here in the seventh round,” Coach Belichick asks, giving Nike a pat on the head. “Alright, got it.”
• Meet the Draft Picks: Christian Barmore and Ronnie Perkins. (1.50 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Mike Reiss shares some quick-hit weekend thoughts: Whom does Patriots top pick Mac Jones study most? Starts with Tom Brady; Jones’ contract; Intel on Day 2 picks; Davis Mills as QB2? More.
• Karen Guregian Sunday NFL Notes: Success or failure of Patriots’ 2021 draft hinges on Mac Jones; Bone to pick: Secondary, wide receiver holes left unfilled; More.
• Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) Sunday Patriots news, AFC East notes: Draft recap. A breakdown of each Patriots draft pick, how they’ll fit into the system and how they will best be utilized.
• Mike Reiss offers his analysis of every 2021 Patriots draft pick. Oklahoma RB Rhamondre Stevenson (Rd. 4): “A big, physical back whose style sparks thoughts of LeGarrette Blount, the 5-foot-11, 227-pound Stevenson is an intimidating runner.”
• Zack Cox helps us get to know each of the eight players selected by New England in this year’s draft.
• Andrew Callahan highlights Bill Belichick’s initial comments on each player in the Patriots draft class.
• Andrew Callahan breaks down the final rounds of the draft, that saw the Patriots using five scheduled picks to add a RB, OL, LB, S and WR to deepen their restored roster and establish a new identity.
• Nick Goss issues his 2021 NFL Draft grades and analysis for all 32 teams. Patriots: A. “The Patriots did very well in this draft.”
• Justin Leger picks this year’s draft winners and losers. Winner: Patriots D and QB situation. Loser: Roger Goodell’s chair. “It was just bizarre, OK?”
• Sean T. McGuire picks his NFL Draft winners & losers: Patriots start strong. “The Patriots, who went out and splurged on both sides of the ball in free agency, then built some depth.”
• Evan Lazar explains why the Patriots selected QB Mac Jones instead of trading up for Justin Fields.
• Tom Shaw-Mellors (PatsPropaganda) Patriots pick QB Mac Jones in the first round of the 2021 draft: ‘the Patriots were patient and managed to get their QB for the future.’
• Mike Reiss analyzes the Patriots trade up to select Alabama DT Christian Barmore, one of the highest-rated players still available entering the second round.
• Phil Perry explains why he believes the Patriots got the best DT in this year’s draft in Christian Barmore.
• Robert Alvarez (PatsFans) Christian Barmore pens special message to his mother after draft.
• Evan Lazar evaluates the Pats’ five selections on Day Three of the NFL Draft.
• Sean T. McGuuire notes Joshuah Bledsoe praises Mac Jones upon recalling playing his new Patriots teammate, ‘I’m glad I get to team up with him.’
• Doug Kyed mentions the team’s fifth-round draft pick Cameron McGrone tore his ACL in November. New England is not preparing for the linebacker to be ready in 2021.
• Doug Kyed’s Patriots Undrafted Free Agent Tracker: Six spots to fill on 90-man roster.
• Karen Guregian spotlights Bill Belichick’s bombshell during his post-draft presser, that long-time associate Ernie Adams worked his final draft with the team. Belichick and Adams have been together what seems like forever.
• Abigail Adams writes how Bill Belichick and Bob Baffert found similar success in separate sports.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Kevin Seifert (ESPN) NFL draft 2021 takeaways: The QB rush continues, plus lingering questions and top surprises.
• Gregg Rosenthal (NFL.com) The Debrief: 32 thoughts for 32 teams after the 2021 NFL Draft. Patriots: “It’s safe to say Bill Belichick is going for it”; More.
• Mark Dulgerian (NFL.com) Pick-by-pick analysis for Day 3, rounds 4-5 and rounds 6-7.
• Dan Wetzel (Yahoo! Sports) NFL draft is a recruiting flex for Nick Saban and Alabama’s absurd talent wealth.
• Jeffri Chadiha (NFL.com) Three things to love and question from first two days of 2021 NFL Draft.
• Doug Farrar and Mark Schofield (TouchdownWire) 2021 NFL draft: Final grades for all 32 teams. Patriots: A-.
• Chad Reuter (NFL.com) 2021 NFL Draft: Final quick-snap grades for all 32 teams. Patriots: A- (Day 1: A, Day 2: B+, Day 3: B+)
• Brianna Williams (ESPN) NFL draft 2021: Players react to selections with dogs, table jumping and more.
• Gil Brandt (NFL.com) Top undrafted rookie free agents following the 2021 NFL Draft.
• Roundup (NFL.com) Undrafted rookie free agents: Team signings after 2021 NFL Draft.