Daily news and links for Wednesday.
TEAM TALK
- Transaction: Patriots sign QB Joshua Dobbs as an unrestricted free agent from San Francisco.
- Evan Lazar talks about the Patriots bolstering the offensive line by adding center Garrett Bradbury. The former first-round pick made 88 starts at center in six seasons with the Vikings.
- Alexandria Francisco tells us Drake Maye, Marcus Jones, and Joshua Dobbs will participate in the third annual NFLPA Classic at Mayakoba. We can watch them on the Golf Channel March 25-26.
- Highlights: New signings Mack Hollins & Khyiris Tonga’s first interviews as New England Patriots. (2 min. video)
- Behind the scenes: Equipment crew sets up lockers for new additions. (1 min. video)
- Patriots Unfiltered: Latest mock drafts, Updated roster moves, NFL free agency; More. (2 hours)
LOCAL LINKS
- Andrew Callahan shares some offseason thoughts: A Patriots-Brandon Aiyuk trade, the perfect draft deal, If the Pats truly take a best-player-available approach, the No. 4 pick could offer an immediate litmus test; More.
- Bernd Buchmasser resets the offensive line after the Pats’ latest free agency moves: The most problematic position group on the roster has seen quite a bit of change this offseason.
- WEEI guest Tom E. Curran says 5 years post-Brady have been ‘disastrous,’ and having no post-McDaniels plan led to bottoming out.
- Nick O’Malley relays Adam Schefter predicting that Miami QB Cam Ward is ‘destined’ to go No. 1, and tells us why that’s good news for the Patriots. If two QBs come off the board in the top three, that would mean the Patts would get a shot to take either Penn State Edge Abdul Carter or Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter with the No. 4 pick.
- Bill Speros is concerned the Pats still have to find a way to protect Drake Maye.
- 98.5 Sports Hub guest Jordan Schultz (Fox Sports) believes the Patriots need to add another proven wide receiver, even if they target WR in the draft.
- Hayden Bird reports the Patriots have been linked with Steelers’ WR George Pickens as a possible trade target.
- Alex Barth talks about the Patriots signing of center Garrett Bradbury shortly after his release from the Vikings.
- Ian Logue believes Garrett Bradbury gives the Patriots some toughness up front.
- Ian Logue spotlights a report that sheds light behind David Andrews’ release. It sounds like the team’s decision ultimately came down to health ahead of everything else.
- Phil Perry makes the case for Penn State TE Tyler Warren: Star potential.
- Luke Graham notes the Patriots’ asking price for Joe Milton could be as high as a third-round pick in a trade. That would net them a solid prospect.
- Justin Leger highlights Tom E. Curran talking with Devin McCourty about why he’s high on New England’s new-look defense for 2025.
- Karen Guregian hears from former Patriot Devin McCourty on why he ‘hated’ playing against Mack Hollins.
- Hayden Bird looks back to 2007 at the time New England was able to add both Wes Welker and Randy Moss for next to nothing, while the current Patriots take stock of the team’s less-than-ideal wide receiver corps.
- Enzo Flojo posts his Patriots 5-round post-free agency mock draft. Pats pick Penn State Edge Abdul Carter at No. 4
- Locked On Patriots podcast: Mike and Murph discuss if the Patriots’ draft strategy can reshape their future, dissect the latest mock drafts, potential impact picks and more. (50 min.)
NATIONAL NEWS
- Max Chadwick (PFF) Every team’s biggest need following free agency. Patriots: More support for Drake Maye. ‘The Patriots went all out in free agency to improve their defense, allocating nearly $250 million to the unit. That leaves the supporting cast for second-year quarterback Drake Maye still sorely lacking. …Expect the No. 4 overall pick to target an offensive player in the form of someone such as Travis Hunter, Will Campbell or Tetairoa McMillan.’
- Dalton Wasserman (PFF) One positive takeaway for all 32 NFL teams following NFL free agency. Patriots: A formidable defense at all three levels. /Click for the commentary.
- Nate Davis (USA Today) NFL free agency grades: Do Cowboys, 49ers, Falcons warrant getting an F? Patriots: B. /Click for commentary.
- Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) 2025 NFL free agency: Top 10 offseason moves so far. No Pats.
- Bradley Locker (PFF) Predicting the fifth-year option decisions for every 2022 NFL first-round draft pick. Patriots Pick No. 29 – G Cole Strange: Declined. ‘… New England’s offensive line rebuild is already underway with Morgan Moses, Garrett Bradbury and more via the draft, and it would be surprising if Strange fit into those plans.’
- Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) Scouting Reports: Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty (1 min. video) and Penn State TE Tyler Warren (1 min. video)
- Maurice Jones-Drew (NFL.com) 2025 NFL Draft: Ranking RB prospects, No. 1 to 31.
- Mason Cameron (PFF) NFL Power Rankings: Where all 32 teams stand after free agency. Patriots 28th. ‘…this rebuild won’t happen overnight, and significant deficiencies remain. …’
- Nate Davis (USA Today) NFL pre-draft power rankings: Patriots 19th [+1]. ‘…the arrival of Pats Hall of Famer Mike Vrabel as the new head coach could be what restores this franchise to competitive status far more quickly than some might expect.’
- Mike Freeman (USA Today) Joe Burrow got exactly what he wanted. Good luck with that. ‘The problem is the way the Bengals are building their team isn’t the way the best franchises do it. The Philadelphia Eagles didn’t build a Super Bowl champion through the receiver position. They built it through the offensive line. … Generally, franchises that build top heavy on offense at the expense of other positions don’t win Super Bowls.’
- Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) Ranking Aaron Rodgers’ remaining options for 2025: Vikings out, so who’s left? Exploring pros, cons of others.
- John Kosko (PFF) 2025 NFL mock draft. Pats pick LSU OT Will Campbell at No. 4. ‘The best fit here is pairing quarterback Drake Maye with the big-bodied, uber-talented Tetairoa McMillan, but new head coach Mike Vrabel is known for building from the trenches, and Campbell is the perfect player to kickstart that...’
- Mike Renner (CBS Sports) 2025 NFL mock draft. Pats pick Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter at No. 4.