Daily news and links for Monday.
LOCAL LINKS
- Mike Reiss shares some quick-hit weekend thoughts: What Patriots like about rookie safety Craig Woodson; Woodson’s nickname is “The Eraser”; Rookie contracts: Will Campbell has yet to sign; Stefon Diggs’ deal; D-line tees off; Eyes on left guard; More.
- Steve Balestrieri’s Sunday Patriots News: The McDaniels connection may pay off nicely; The main thing to look for at OTAs is gradual improvement every day at practice as the players become more comfortable with the playbook and each other; More.
- Bernd Buchmasser’s Sunday Patriots Notes: ‘Passionate’ Jabrill Peppers is back in his element; Patriots need bang for their buck along D-line; More.
- Mark Morse shares some leftover thoughts on OTA Week 2 practice open to the media. /Good notes here.
- Jerry Thornton offers his OTAs roundup: Mike Vrabel’s defense is starting to take shape, but so is Javon Baker’s status as another WR bust.
- Mark Daniels tells us four things he’ll be watching for in the third open OTA practice today. 1. Drake Maye. ‘it would be nice to see Drake Maye look like the star we all think he can be.’
- Karen Guregian suggests a reasonable time frame for Drake Maye to get into a groove with the new offense: The second week of August. Joint practices with the Minnesota Vikings.
- Mike D’Abate spotlights 3rd-year WR DeMario Douglas who is poised for success in 2025: The Patriots may be wise to utilize Pop Douglas in multiple ways this season.
- Lauren Campbell notes Julian Edelman attended Patriots practice on Friday and his excitement is through the roof.
- Nick O’Malley relays QB Joe Milton saying he was “surprised” the Patriots traded him away. But he calls it a ‘blessing’ for four reasons. 1. Back in the heat in Dallas. [and away from the cold in New England.]
- Jarrett Bailey notes WR Stefon Diggs was named biggest make-or-break X-factor of 2025 for New England.
- Justin Leger highlights Scott Zolak on how he believes the Patriots releasing Stefon Diggs “is on the table,” and not only because of the viral video of him on a boat.
- Lauren Campbell notes Peyton Manning confirmed Bill Belichick will not be returning this year on the Manningcast
NATIONAL NEWS
- Albert Breer (SI) NFL Takeaways: Joe Flacco is at ease amid the Browns’ crowded QB competition; Plus, the complicated James Cook situation and Stefon Diggs’s inauspicious start as a Patriot.
- Joel Corry (CBS Sports) Agent’s Take: Why post-June 1 designations play a significant role in helping teams manage salary cap.
- Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) NFL’s post-June 1 period: What it is, top 2025 cut and trade candidates. RB Gibson included.
- Charles Robinson (Yahoo! Sports) NFL OTAs: Taking temperature of four big stories, from ‘way too hot’ Browns QB room to Caleb Williams’ pre-draft preference. Stefon Diggs caught having too good of a time: Ice, ice cold.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Could Patriots cut Stefon Diggs and owe him nothing? It’s complicated.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFL declines comment on Stefon Diggs video.
- Mark Chichester (PFF) Projecting all 32 NFL starting lineups ahead of the 2025 season.
- Dalton Wasserman (PFF) NFL teams best built for success by personnel grouping in 2025. No Pats.
- Gilberto Manzano (SI) Ranking the NFL’s 32 backup QBs of 2025. No. 24 Joshua Dobbs.
- Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) Ranking 12 NFL teams most likely to win first Super Bowl in 2025. Bills No. 1.
- Bradley Locker (PFF) 10 NFL head coaches on the hot seat entering the 2025 season. No Pats.
- Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) 2025 NFL GMs: Most promising? Most concerning? Eliot Wolf in neither category.
- Max Chadwick, et al (PFF) 2010 NFL Redraft: Rebuilding the first round. No. 2 Rob Gronkowski picked by Detroit. Pats pick LB Navorro Bowman at 22. Original pick: WR Demaryius Thomas.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Peyton Manning: Bill Belichick won’t return to ManningCast in 2025.
- Brigid Kennedy (SI) Scott Hanson shares statement on status as ‘NFL RedZone’ host for 2025 season.