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LOCAL LINKS
- Zack Cox previews the rest of New England’s offseason to tell us what’s up next. Right now they’re partway through the offseason program, with OTAs on the horizon.
- Jim Hackett says to buckle up, because this is going to be the best AFC East ever.
- Phil Perry identifies some wide receiver options who could find their way to Foxboro prior to training camp.
- Andrew Callahan reports the Patriots signed undrafted rookie K Quinn Nordin (Michigan).
- Karen Guregian projects the Pats post-draft 53-man roster: Bill Belichick is going to have to make some tough calls paring it down.
- Phil Perry offers up his early take on the 53-man roster projection: While there aren’t a ton of stunning cuts, the team could be forced to part with some familiar faces.
- Doug Kyed picks one player comp for each Pats’ draft selections to get an idea of who they most closely resemble.
- Clare Cooper (FullPressCoverage) A Clare Perspective: From ‘draft crush’ to ‘draft crushed’.
- Ricky Doyle relays draft expert Daniel Jeremiah on whether the Patriots “liked” or “loved” Alabama quarterback Mac Jones with the 15th pick.
- Tom E. Curran finds it hard to envision Mac Jones stepping in right away. “Better it just happens naturally where Belichick is confident of two things. First, Jones won’t be a complete train wreck. Second, he’ll be an upgrade over Cam Newton.”
- Matt Dolloff relays Albert Breer who noted a few scouts compared Mac Jones to former QB Chad Pennington.
- Ricky Doyle highlights Gordon Jones, father of Mac Jones, sharing his thoughts on the Patriots taking his son with the No. 15 pick. “There were other teams that could have picked him, but we said, ‘Nah, let’s just wait for the Patriots,’ “Gordon Jones told Gene Frenette of The Florida Times-Union. “We just thought it was a better environment for Mac because of the relationship with Coach Belichick and Saban.”
- CBS Boston notes that CBS Sports ranks the Patriots has having the best draft in the entire NFL.
- Nick Stevens points out five draft picks who were mocked to the Pats but not chosen, to keep an eye on over the next few years.
- Andrew Callahan passes along a report that the Patriots made several promotions within the scouting department.
- Locked On Patriots podcast: Mike D’Abate talks with Luke Robinson, (Locked On Bama) to get some valuable expert insight on the newest members of the Patriots. (37 min.)
NATIONAL NEWS
- Gil Brandt (NFL.com) Five best offseasons in the NFL: Bucs, Pats riding high. “There is reason for optimism.”
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Sony Michel could be odd man out in Patriots’ backfield.
- Jay Busbee (Yahoo! Sports) Bill Belichick’s rookie QB track record says Mac Jones is in for a wait.
- Scouting Team (Coast to Coast Scouting) 2021 NFL draft day one recap: Patriots selection of Mac Jones at 15 earns three A grades.
- Michael Renner (PFF) Ranking the 10 best draft classes: Browns, Bears and Patriots find gems in the Draft.
- Anthony Treash (PFF) Most improved teams following free agency and the 2021 NFL Draft. No Pats. /Wut?
- Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports) Ranking the top 10 instant impact rookies for the 2021 NFL season. No Pats.
- Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (USA Today) NFL draft’s 17 biggest instant-impact rookies. No Pats.
- Michael Renner (PFF) The 10 best player fits of the 2021 NFL Draft. No Pats.
- Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) The 11 best late-round steals in the 2021 NFL Draft. Patriots: Cameron McGrone, LB, Michigan (fifth round, No. 177 overall).
- Albert Breer (SI) Mailbag: Who are the favorites to win NFL Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year; Plus, answering questions on the AFC East’s QBs, the Aaron Rodgers situation, the Jets’ draft, Urban Meyer’s philosophy and more.
- Ben Linsey (PFF) Most improved receiving corps (Pats listed) and secondaries following free agency and the draft.
- Andrew Brandt (SI) Business of Football: The fight for control in Aaron Rodgers’s rift with the Packers.
- Kevin Clark (The Ringer) We’re in uncharted territory with the Aaron Rodgers–Packers standoff.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Should Packers file tampering charges against the 49ers and/or Broncos?
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFL reiterates that injuries away from team facilities expose players to losing their salaries.
- Bryan DeArdo (CBS Sports) Ranking every NFL running back drafted in Round 1 since 2000. 34th Laurence Maroney, 39th Sony Michel.