Daily news and links for Wednesday
TEAM TALK
- Mike Dussault’s 2025 free agent preview: Linebacker.
- Alexandra Francisco reports Mike Vrabel and RB coach Tony Dews celebrated Read Across America by reading with Providence elementary schoolers on Monday.
- Community: Mike Vrabel reads Dr. Seuss to local elementary schoolers. (1.30 min. video)
- From NFL Media: Daniel Jeremiah’s top 12 standout performers from 2025 Scouting Combine. (7 min. video)
- From NFL Media: Brian Baldinger’s top RB and DL prospects from the Combine ‘The Insiders’. (4 min. video)
- From NFL Media: Brian Baldinger’s top offensive line prospects from 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. (3 min. video)
- Patriots Unfiltered: Combine recap, draft talk, free agent preview. (2 hours)
LOCAL LINKS
- Phil Perry lays out the case for trading Joe Milton: Can the Pats sell high on their young QB?
- Matt Dolloff thumbnails some big names emerging as the Pats look to upgrade in the trenches in free agency.
- Bernd Buchmasser identifies 5 offensive tackles the Patriots could target in free agency.
- Tom E. Curran and Phil Perry discuss the Pats’ best Plan B options at WR.
- WEEI guest Tom E. Curran lists A.J. Brown, Davante Adams, Chris Godwin as ‘reasonable’ WR targets for the Pats.
- Karen Guregian and Mark Daniels talk about where things stand with New England and Davante Adams.
- Conor Ryan notes that according to Phil Perry, the Patriots could target Jakobi Meyers this offseason in a trade.
- Sara Marshall sees rumors of WR Brandon Aiyuk being up for trade could be a great sign for the Patriots.
- Sara Marshall notes the Patriots have reportedly already called the Eagles about the possible availability of A.J. Brown via trade.
- Doug Kyed’s Patriots free agency primer: 5 potential targets at defensive tackle.
- Conor Ryan notes New England is expected to be a ‘top suitor’ in free agency for DT Milton Williams. “He is a game wrecker — game changer on the inside.”
- Mark Daniels spotlights 5 free agent linebackers who fit Mike Vrabel’s new Patriots mold, smaller and more athletic
- Matt Dolloff talks about the report that the Patriots are looking at top free-agent cornerbacks.
- Nick Goss takes a look at five under-the-radar free agents the Patriots should consider targeting.
- Sara Marshall says Mike Vrabel is really running the show for the Patriots this offseason.
- Conor Ryan discusses the report that the Patriots were ‘taken aback’ that team couldn’t attract players last offseason, despite having the cash.
- Nick O’Malley reports the rumored Bill Belichick, UNC doc fell apart over ‘creative control’.
- Chris Scheim takes a crack at a post-combine mock draft. Pats trade down, pick Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan 6th.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Around the NFL (NFL.com) 2025 NFL free agency tracker: Latest signings, trades, contract info for all 32 teams.
- Eva Geitheim (SI) Explaining the difference between restricted and unrestricted free agents in the NFL. Free agency begins on March 12 this year.
- Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) One key 2025 free agent each NFL team can least afford to lose. Patriots: DL Deatrich Wise Jr.: “To be frank, the Patriots could let their entire free agent class exit and probably be fine; they’re rebuilding, after all. Wise has at least been a steady, respected hand off the edge, though.”
- Kevin Patra (NFL.com) All 32 teams’ WR situations ahead of free agency, draft. Patriots: “… While beefing up the offensive line is priority No. 1, so that Maye doesn’t get blasted into smithereens again, adding at least one playmaker for the young quarterback is necessary. This offense is U-G-L-Y, ugly on paper.”
- Matt Verderame (SI) Top three landing spots for Chris Godwin. No Pats.
- Jack McKessy (USA Today) Ranking possible Davante Adams landing spots after Jets release veteran WR.
- Staff (PFF) 2025 NFL free agent rankings: Top 150 players set to enter free agency.
- Charean Williams (ProFootballTalk) NFL Top 100 2025 free agents.
- Mike Renner (SI) NFL Draft 2025 big board: Ranking the top 100 prospects post-combine, including six RBs making the list.
- Trevor Sikkema (PFF) Prospects moving up the PFF big board after the NFL Scouting Combine.
- Jeffri Chadiha (NFL.com) Five NFL teams that need to make a splash in free agency. No Pats.
- Mike McDaniel (SI) Chiefs engaged in trade discussions surrounding star Guard Joe Thuney.
- Tom Pelissero (NFL.com) Dayo Odeyingbo and Aaron Banks headline NFL free agents who could make more money than you think.
- Matt Verderame (SI) Buyer Beware: Looking back at the worst NFL free agent contracts of 2024.
- Jeff Kerr (CBS Sports) Franchise tag deadline winners and losers: Sam Darnold, Tee Higgins to cash in, Patriots miss out on top WR.
- Madison Williams (SI) NFL’s franchise tag sees lowest utilization in nearly 20 years.
- Trevor Sikkema (PFF) Post-Combine Mock Draft. Pats pick Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan at No. 4.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Bill Belichick, UNC might still do all-access series with a different network.