New England Patriots links 03/01/23 - Pats already ahead of 2022; Options abound to build around Mac

TEAM TALK

• Patriots 2023 Mock Draft tracker.
• Paul Perillo talks about how Josh McDaniels believes the Bill O’Brien move will pay dividends for the Patriots.
• Press Pass: Patriots gearing for success at 2023 NFL Combine. (1 min. video)
• Patriots Debrief: Day One of the 2023 NFL Combine. (6 min. video)
• Patriots Mock Draft breakdown with Mike Dussault and Evan Lazar. (8 min. video)
• Patriots Unfiltered 2/28: Hot topics at NFL Combine, trade up or trade down? (2 hours)

LOCAL LINKS

• Andrew Callahan finds praise for the Patriots’ remade coaching staff consistent across the GMs and head coaches who met reporters on the first full day at the combine. A year ago there was confusion.
• Tom E. Curran is looks back at what the Patriots did during the 2022 offseason as 2023 free agency looms.
• Jerry Thornton brings up the unnamed-sourced report from Henry McKenna that coaches were told ‘not to be too hard’ on Mac Jones, and says we deserve to know who’s conducting this smear campaign against him. /Exactly.
• Joy Manning (BostonSportsChick) A quick look at Mac’s inflated pre-draft numbers.
• Michael DeVito (ChowderandChampions) Mac Jones lacks escapability, which is a problem.
• Matt Dolloff reports the Patriots are set to work out wide receiver Slade Bolden who was Mac Jones’ roommate at Alabama. /Great football name.
• Darren Hartwell thumbnails five free agent WRs for the Patriots to see if they’re worth pursuing.
• Jordy McElroy (PatriotsWire) 3 most realistic wide receiver options for Patriots in 2023 offseason.
• Michael DeVito (ChowderandChampions) Costly offensive line moves key to 2022 failures.
• Alex Barth finds this year’s free agent tackle class just got deeper for the Patriots.
• Sara Marshall (MusketFire) 5 offensive tackles the Patriots could take in the first-round.
• Michael DeVito (ChowderandChampions) 3 massive offensive tackles Patriots should target in free agency.
• Harrison Reno (Patriots Country) NFL Mock Drafts consensus: Patriots preferred position? /On top.
• Jordy McElroy (PatriotsWire) Patriots knock it out of the park in this 3-round mock draft, pick Georgia OT Broderick Jones at 14.
• Conor Ryan highlights Josh McDaniels at the Combine: Bill O’Brien will ‘do a great job’ working with Mac Jones.
• Lou Scataglia (MusketFire) Who are some Patriots on the hot seat for the 2023 season.
• Robert Alvarez (PatsFans) Matthew Judon teases new documentary covering his life and NFL career.
• Dakota Randall notes Bengals GM Duke Tobin calls the Tee Higgins to the Patriots trade rumors ‘ridiculous’. ‘If they want a receiver, go find your own’.
• Dakota Randall highlights what Broncos GM George Paton said about trade rumors involving WR Jerry Jeudy, who’s been connected to the Patriots. ‘Really happy with where Jerry is at.’
• Khari Thompson with the Captain Obvious report: Pats are NOT trading up for a QB — and they shouldn’t.
• Lou Scataglia (MusketFire) Should the Patriots take a chance on WR Kenny Golladay?
• Zack Cox notes DeMarcus Covington didn’t land the Arizona job, but Jonathan Gannon believes he’ll soon be a coordinator.
• Chris Mason relays 49ers GM John Lynch: Relationship with Jimmy Garoppolo has ‘run its course’.
• Patriots Talk podcast: Tom Curran and Phil Perry welcome Andrew Brandt to break down why claims you can’t build long-term around a top of the market QB are bogus and how the Patriots should handle the final years of Mac Jones’ rookie contract. (37 min.)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Jarrett Bell (USA Today) Dear NFL combine prospects (and fans): Here’s what you really need to know.
• Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports) 2023 NFL Scouting Combine bold predictions.
• Michael Renner (PFF) One 2023 NFL Draft prospect to watch at every position at the NFL scouting combine.
• Brent Sobleski (Bleacher Report) 8 standout athletes who should shine, increase Draft stock at 2023 NFL Combine.
• Anthony Holzman-Escareno (NFL.com) 2023 NFL free agency explainer: Vital information on franchise tags, contract terms, salary cap and more.
• Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (USA Today) NFL cut candidates: All NFL teams must be compliant with the $224.8 million salary cap by March 15.
• Sam Monson (PFF) Best wide receivers available in the 2023 NFL Draft and free agency.
• Cody Banjamin (CBS Sports) 2023 NFL free agency matchmaker: Proposed landing spots for Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, 10 other top RBs.
• Jori Epstein (Yahoo! Sports) NFL combine: How elite draft prospect Bijan Robinson represents league’s running back ‘conundrum’.
• Charles Robinson (Yahoo! Sports) Jets, Raiders, Packers stuck in holding pattern as league awaits Aaron Rodgers’ decision.
• Field Yates (Twitter) In the end, the Giants will have paid Kenny Golladay $36M for a total of 43 catches and 1 TD.
• Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Dolphins plan to take their time deciding on Tua Tagovailoa’s option.
• John Breech (CBS Sports) NFL reveals teams for Hall of Fame Game: Jets and Browns to open 2023 preseason.
• Trevor Sikkema (PFF) Two-Round 2023 NFL Mock Draft. Pats pick Boston College WR Zay Flowers at 14.
• Bucky Brooks (NFL.com) 2023 NFL mock draft 2.0. Pats pick Alabama DB Brian Branch at 14.
• James Fragoza (ProFootballNetwork) NFL Mock Draft 2023. Pats pick TCU WR Quentin Johnston at 14.
• Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (USA Today) NFL mock draft 2023. Pats pick Georgia OT Broderick Jones at 14.

EXTRACURRICULAR

• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Lisa Banks, Debra Katz accuse NFL of going to “unfathomable lengths” to protect Daniel Snyder.