Daily news and links for Tuesday
TEAM TALK
- Patriots 2025 Free Agent Tracker.
- Evan Lazar’s Film Review: Breaking down the reported addition of EDGE Harold Landry to the defense.
- Mike Dussault says that according to reports, the Patriots are filling two big needs on their defense with the additions of LB Robert Spillane and CB Carlton Davis III, while also bringing in a reliable veteran OL, Morgan Moses.
- Mike Dussault discusses the report that the Patriots made a free agency splash, landing one of the top defensive players available, DT Milton Williams.
LOCAL LINKS
- Nick O’Malley tells us what he’s hearing about the Patriots moves on Day 2 of legal tamping.
- Sara Marshall thumbnails the best available players the Patriots can target after Day 1 of NFL free agency.
- Taylor Kyles’ Free Agency & Trade Tracker: DT Milton Williams becomes highest paid player in team history.
- Karen Guregian feels the Patriots did well on Day 1 of legal tampering with a terrific day bolstering the defense. The asterisk on the day is still no left tackle or much help for Drake Maye.
- Andrew Callahan shares 5 thoughts on the Patriots’ opening $290 million free-agent splurge. 1. Milton Williams’ monster deal. “The Patriots climbed over the Panthers at the last minute to steal Philly DT Milton Williams after it was reported Williams had closed a deal with Carolina. Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf ponied up millions more to overpay Williams, the best free-agent defender available, and land a legitimate game-wrecker to pair with Christian Gonzalez. … This was a self-awareness signing, the Patriots recognizing they will never escape the NFL’s basement without players like him.”
- Chris Mason looks at how the experts graded the Patriots signing ‘feisty’ CB Carlton Davis, giving the biggest name on the market Milton Williams a huge deal, and adding LB Robert Spillane who should bolster a lackluster linebacker group in Foxborough.
- Ryan McLaughlin grades the Patriots’ first batch of signings in 2025 free agency.
- Conor Ryan tells us 5 things to know about Pats’ top free-agent signing Milton Williams, who made life miserable for QBs in 2024. 1. Williams is already one of the most impactful D-linemen in the league.
- Conor Ryan reports how with free-agent options at left tackle dwindling by the minute, the Patriots signed Morgan Moses, one of the top right tackles on the market Monday.
- Alex Barth reacts to the Pats’ first WR move of free agency, signing Mack Hollins. Hollins, 31, spent last year also in the AFC East with the Bills. In 17 games Hollins caught 31 of his 50 targets for 378 yards and five touchdowns.
- Mark Daniels tells us what to know about veteran receiver Mack Hollins, who excelled for Josh McDaniels. Hollins gives the Patriots a bigger outside receiver and red zone target for Drake Maye.
- Alex Barth talks about the Pats adding size & experience to their secondary, signing Carlton Davis.
- Pats Procrastination podcast: Join Clare and Chudders as they check in on the free agent frenzy so far in New England. (33 min.)
- Locked On Patriots podcast: Mike and Murph discuss the Patriots making waves with their aggressive moves early in free agency, reshaping their roster with strategic signings. Is this the start of a new era? (35 min.)
NATIONAL NEWS
- Andrew Brandt (SI) Business of Football: What to expect in free agency, Start of new league year.
- Frank Schwab (Yahoo! Sports) Patriots spend a fortune on defense, making multiple moves including DT Milton Williams.
- Free Agency Countdown (ESPN) How will the Patriots defense look next season. “I like what New England is doing.” (2 min. video)
- Tyler Brooke (The33rdTeam) Grades for every signing, trade. Patriots: WR Mack Hollins: A-, QB Josh Dobbs: B, NT Khyiris Tonga: C, OT Morgan Moses: B+, DT Milton Williams: A, CB Carlton Davis: A-, LB Robert Spillane: A, Edge harold Landry: B+. /Click on link for commentary on every signing.
- Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) 2025 NFL free agency Day 1 grades. Patriots: DT Milton Williams, Grade B+; CB Carlton Davis, Grade C+; More.
- Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) Free agency Day 1 winners and losers: Winner: Mike Vrabel beefs up Patriots defense.
- Conor Orr (SI) 2025 NFL Free Agency: Day 1 winners and losers. Winners: Patriots.
- Dan Pizzuta (The33rdTeam) Biggest winners, losers from NFL’s early free agent action.
- Sheil Kapadia (The Ringer) NFL Free Agent Rankings. Tier 3, The wild cards: Milton Williams commentary included.
- Kyle Stackpole (CBS Sports) Full list of team-by-team signings and trades, plus updates on every move
- Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) 2025 NFL free agency tracker: Updates on top 100 free agents.
- Garrett Podell (CBS Sports) 2025 NFL mock draft. Pats pick Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter at No. 4.