Daily news and links for Thursday
TEAM TALK
- Evan Lazar takes a look at 5th-round rookie Edge Bradyn Swinson, who brings ‘pass rush ability’ to the defense and is considered one of the steals of the draft.
- Highlights: Top 5 Julian Edelman plays in his career as ranked by ‘GMFB’. (7 min. video)
- Patriots Catch-22: Resetting the offense, Rookie minicamp preview, Edelman to Pats HOF. (2 hours)
LOCAL LINKS
- Taylor Kyles’ Film Room: RB TreVeyon Henderson can do it all for the Patriots. /Good read.
- Sean T. McGuire hears from Ohio State RBs coach Carlos Locklyn with some insight into TreVeyon Henderson. “The biggest strength of his game is his short-area burst and overall speed. Once he gets his foot in the ground and gets his shoulders square, his speed actually translates to power.”
- Karen Guregian hears from TE Hunter Henry who says he is ‘excited’ to grow with Josh McDaniels. Henry is entering his 5th season with the Pats.
- Karen Guregian tells us how, in honor of National Foster Care Month, Hunter Henry teamed up with United Healthcare to gift more than 50 foster kids with bikes.
- Mike D’Abate explores how G Sidy Sow could bounce back in Josh McDaniels offense.
- Mark Daniels has the story of how Will Campbell is fueled by the memory of a beloved family member, Tarver Braddock, who was lost in a 2024 tragedy.
- Jerry Thornton notes Stefon Diggs’ new teammates are calling him an athletic ‘freak’ and talking about his ‘explosion’.
- Sara Marshall notes DT Joshua Farmer has been an under-the-radar impressive pick by the new regime in New England. He has already received high marks for his pass-rushing abilities and an attitude to match, and now he’s being labeled as a potential star of the NFL.
- Matthew Schmidt highlights safety Craig Woodson’s bold claim heading into his NFL rookie season. “I don’t think it’s going to be anything too difficult for me,”
- Michael DeVito identifies four veterans who could get the axe as Mike Vrabel continues to transform his roster.
- Jordy McElroy relays Terrell Suggs on the most annoying tight end era he’s ever faced, quickly pointing to the Patriots teams with both Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez on the field at the same time. “Gronk was big as [expletive], but Hernandez, he was a problem. This [expletive] would route you the [expletive] up. Aaron Hernandez was a [expletive] hell of a football player. Too bad that was his second job.”
- Nick O’Malley catches up with Patriots ironman Logan Mankins, who now owns Draper Farms in Massachusetts, just 10 miles down the road from Gillette Stadium.
- Jason Ounpraseuth says according to multiple reports, New England hired A.J. Highsmith as its new director of pro scouting. Highsmith has a connection to Mike Vrabel.
- Ian Logue’s Patriots News: Maye talks about challenges of new offense; More.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Albert Breer (SI) NFL Mailbag: Issues that led to the Steelers trading George Pickens; Plus, more on J.J. McCarthy, Justin Simmons, DK Metcalf, and the Bears, Eagles and Giants.
- Joel Corry (CBS Sports) Agent’s Take: Brock Purdy, Micah Parsons among high-profile players dealing with unfinished NFL business
- Logan Ulrich (NFL TR) Biggest remaining need for each team. Patriots: Edge rusher. “One area that could take the Patriots from a frisky feel-good story to legit playoff team like the Commanders’ turnaround last year is edge rusher.”
- Analysts (NFL.com) Debate: Most anticipated Week 1 debuts.
- Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (USA Today) Ranking NFL’s possible season openers from worst to best.
- Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) Post-draft 2025 NFL QB power rankings. Drake Maye 19th. ‘The most impressive thing about his rookie season was the way he refused to let New England’s porous O-line ruin his composure. Now the kid’s got a fresh staff and veteran weapons.’
- Tom Blair (NFL.com) Traded players who will have biggest impact on 2025 NFL season.
- Mike Kadlick (SI) Rob Gronkowski says Tim Tebow pick stopped him from being drafted by the Ravens.
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Tom Brady: Ray Lewis was at the top of the list of players I feared hitting me.
- Conor Ryan notes Tom Brady shares regrets about taking part in his Netflix roast. “It felt like a stake through the heart. They were just like, ‘Why did you do that?’”
- Chris Bumbaca (USA Today) Book Review: In ‘The Art of Winning,’ Bill Belichick focuses on his true loves.