Daily news and links for Thursday
TEAM TALK
- Roundup: How experts graded the Patriots 2025 draft class.
- NFL schedule release: The 2025 schedule will be released on Wednesday, May 14 at 8 p.m. ET.
- Evan Lazar and Alex Barth’s guest Dane Brugler (The Athletic) breaks down the Pats’ draft class. (15 min. video)
- Patriots Catch-22: Draft recap, Pats draft class breakdown, Dane Brugler interview. (2 hours)
- Photos: Behind the scenes of the Patriots 2025 NFL Draft .
LOCAL LINKS
- Alex Barth discusses the report that New England will not pick up the 5th-year option on OL Cole Strange.
- Sara Marshall mentions how Mike Vrabel is bringing back hope for Patriots fans.
- Mike D’Abate highlights LB K’Lavon Chaisson who is eager to add some aggression and attitude to the team’s pass defense. Chaisson predicts ‘relentless’ pass rush.
- Mark Morse explains why he thinks Kyle Dugger and Marte Mapu should move to linebacker.
- Colin McCarthy posts his way-too-early Patriots’ 53-man roster projection, with surprise cuts and one addition.
- Doug Kyed’s Patriots mailbag: League sources raving about 2025 NFL Draft class.
- Tom E. Curran shares his takeaways from a busy draft weekend: Mike Vrabel didn’t mess around in his first draft leading the Patriots.
- Jarrett Bailey finds the Patriots listed ridiculously low in post-draft power rankings. The team didn’t get much love despite a great draft.
- Nick O’Malley catches us up with Clock Killin’ Corey Dillon, who joked that he’s been “underground” for a while, but has been making more public appearances recently.
- Sara Marshall notes some fans are upset the Pats are giving out jersey numbers that were worn by team greats. For example, WR Kyle Williams was given No. 18, that once belonged to Matthew Slater.
- The Next Pats podcast: Phil Perry grades the Pats’ draft and picks which players can impact the team next season; Tyler Dunne gives a Bills’ perspective on the Pats roster and if they are the next-best team in the AFC East. (76 min.)
NATIONAL NEWS
- Gilberto Manzano and Matt Verderame (SI) The biggest remaining roster holes for all 32 NFL teams. Patriots: IOL, DT, WR. /Click for commentary.
- Mike McDaniel (SI) Patriots decline fifth-year club option of OL Cole Strange. Strange has started 29 career games.
- Mason Cameron (PFF) The most improved units after the 2025 NFL Draft. Patriots: Trenches.
- Trevor Sikkema (PFF) Favorite pick for all 32 NFL teams. Patriots: Edge Bradyn Swinson (Round 5, Pick 146). ‘The No. 47 player on my big board earned a 91.4 PFF pass-rush grade against true pass sets with a 22.1% pass-rush win rate in 2024. This could be the steal of the draft.’
- Trevor Sikkema (PFF) My 10 favorite 2025 NFL Draft classes. Patriots included (A+). /Click for commentary.
- Matt Verderame (SI) Predicting the most likely NFL draft busts in the AFC. No Patriots.
- Josh Edwards (CBS Sports) NFL Draft 2025: Each team’s most questionable pick. Patriots: Vanderbilt LS Julian Ashby (Round 7, pick 251).
- Conor Orr (SI) NFL Power Rankings: Impact of draft on 2025 season. Patriots 20th (+1); More.
- Ryan Phillips (SI) Highest-paid NFL players after 2025 free agency. No Pats.
- Kevin Patra (NFL.com) Top 10 upcoming games of the 2025 season.