2 years, 1 month ago

Patriots 2023 mock draft: Bill Belichick’s path to getting Mac Jones more weapons

The Patriots depart for the NFL Scouting Combine in a week, and while they’re not one of the teams that typically makes news in Indianapolis — since Bill Belichick is the only head coach who doesn’t speak publicly there — it’s still a busy time. This time, we place more of a focus on wide receivers, taking two with the team’s first four picks to try to get quarterback Mac Jones some help. 46 overall: Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina Even if the Patriots bring back Jonathan Jones, they’re going to need help at cornerback next season. 76 overall: McClendon Curtis, OT, Chattanooga Perhaps this is me rooting for an easy story, but after taking Cole Strange from Chattanooga in the first round last year, perhaps Belichick is enticed to go back to that well in search of the team’s new right tackle. Round 7: Tyson Bagent, QB, Shepherd University Belichick is willing to draft and develop quarterbacks even when he doesn’t need one, and Bagent would be quite the story.

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History of this topic

1 month ago

Sam Farmer’s NFL mock draft 1.0: Titans won’t pass on QB with their top pick

LA Times

There is no NFL offseason. New England Patriots: OT Will Campbell, Louisiana State — The Patriots need help almost everywhere, but protecting their talented young quarterback is a good place to start. Seattle Seahawks: OT Grey Zabel, North Dakota State — Zabel turned a lot of heads at the Senior Bowl, and NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah sees him as a …

2 months ago

What should the Patriots do with the No. 4 pick in the NFL Draft? Our experts debate

New York Times

The New England Patriots have their next coach, but a long to-do list awaits Mike Vrabel and the front office. Or, if Hunter, Carter and a quarterback go in the first three picks, perhaps the Patriots could entice a quarterback-needy team to trade up, allowing New England to add early-round picks. In Brugler’s latest mock draft, he has the Patriots …

2 months, 1 week ago

Giants mock draft reaction: Can NY afford to pass on a QB in the first round?

New York Times

Congratulations, New York Giants fans. Brugler’s assumption must be that the Giants will have found a starter in free agency or via trade, otherwise bypassing a QB in the first round would be tough for this regime to do. They also didn’t draft one of the remaining first-round QBs or target a later-round prospect, thus keeping a streak alive: The …

4 months, 3 weeks ago

The Patriots have a wide receiver problem with no obvious fix

New York Times

— Initially, there wasn’t anyone open, so Drake Maye drifted to his right, then escaped the pocket altogether. GO DEEPER Buckley: No longer 'soft,' Patriots show pluck in bouncing back to top Jets Against the Jets, Patriots wide receivers dropped five of their 16 targets. It’s good to get a win, but there’s a lot to improve on.” Sunday’s game …

5 months, 2 weeks ago

Patriots will go with first-round draft pick Drake Maye and bench QB Jacoby Brissett, AP source says

Associated Press

— The New England Patriots are planning to give first-round draft pick Drake Maye his first pro start in the hopes of ending a four-game losing streak under veteran journeyman quarterback Jacoby Brissett, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press. They have tried veterans like Cam Newton and draft picks like Mac Jones but have appeared …

9 months ago

New England Patriots stock report: Who’s rising and falling after spring practices?

New York Times

The first major chance is over for New England Patriots players to make a strong impression on the new coaching staff. Patriots sign 2024 third-round draft pick T Caedan Wallace: https://t.co/RCjOSX9P0F pic.twitter.com/jdutl2OO1s — New England Patriots May 31, 2024 DeMario Douglas, WR Douglas was by far the Patriots’ best and most explosive playmaker in practice this spring. He was the …

10 months ago

Patriots training camp questions: Has New England’s wide receiver group improved?

New York Times

Editor’s note: This is the second piece in our five-part series looking at the biggest questions facing the New England Patriots before training camp. The Patriots’ new brass realized how much their wide receiver group needed improvement. pic.twitter.com/vkQ31zALmj — New England Patriots May 20, 2024 Instead, New England took Washington’s Ja’Lynn Polk in the second round and added Central Florida’s …

10 months, 3 weeks ago

Beat writers’ favorite 2024 NFL Draft picks: Keon Coleman, Laiatu Latu and 30 more players

New York Times

The 2024 NFL Draft is over, and now all 257 picks begin the process of settling in with their new teams and preparing for rookie camp next month. — Jeff Zrebiec | More Ravens takeaways The Bills’ top pick joins a depth chart in desperate need of someone with his talent level, one that Josh Allen told general manager Brandon …

10 months, 3 weeks ago

Pittsburgh Steelers draft Roman Wilson: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel

New York Times

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected former Michigan receiver Roman Wilson with the 84th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Friday, addressing a key need in the third round. NFL Draft 2024 tracker: Live blog, pick-by-pick grades and analysis Big board best available: Who’s left from Dane Brugler’s Top 300? Draft pick grades: Nick Baumgardner, Scott Dochterman rate Rounds 2-3 Full …

11 months ago

Patriots draft Drake Maye: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel

New York Times

After weeks of deliberation, the New England Patriots opted to hold onto the No. 3 pick in Thursday’s first round of the 2024 NFL Draft and select Drake Maye, the quarterback they hope helps usher in a new era in Foxboro. The Patriots are hoping Maye can bring stability to the quarterback position, something they haven’t witnessed since Tom Brady …

11 months ago

Drake Maye knows Pats’ quarterback of the future means not being Tom Brady or Mac Jones

New York Times

After he tried on his crisp new New England Patriots cap, and after he received his official Roger Goodell hug, Drake Maye spoke these words on worldwide television: “Oh, it’s a blessing. Draft pick grades: Nick Baumgardner, Scott Dochterman rate the selections Full draft order: Team picks for all 257 selections “The Athletic Football Show”: Watch live reaction to the …

11 months ago

Sam Farmer’s final 2024 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks 1-2-3 after big trade?

LA Times

UCLA’s Laiatu Latu and USC’s Caleb Williams should be selected in the first round of the NFL draft Thursday. LAS VEGAS: QB Michael Penix, Washington — A second wave of QBs is going to go, and the Raiders might need to start that wave instead of risking Penix being gone in second round. SEATTLE: OLB Chop Robinson, Penn State — …

11 months ago

New England Patriots NFL Draft 2024 guide: Picks, predictions and key needs

New York Times

“The Beast,” Dane Brugler’s expansive guide to the NFL Draft, is here. GO DEEPER NFL Draft 2024 ‘The Beast’ Guide: Dane Brugler’s scouting reports and player rankings About the Patriots • Head coach: Jerod Mayo • Last year’s record: 4-13 The Patriots don’t want to begin the post-Bill Belichick era with a multiyear rebuild. Offensive tackle: The Patriots are entering …

11 months ago

NFL beat writer mock draft 3.0: Vikings, Bills, Saints shake things up with trades into top 10

New York Times

After months of building the hype with speculation and opinions from around the league, the moment we’ve anxiously awaited has finally arrived. — Nick Kosmider GO DEEPER Broncos aim to build Zach Wilson up, but trade doesn't change NFL Draft outlook Well, we didn’t lose our minds and take Michael Penix Jr. at 13. — Joe Rexrode Verse was the …

11 months ago

Patriots listening to teams looking to trade for No. 3 pick in NFL Draft: Sources

New York Times

The New England Patriots are listening and taking calls from teams looking to move up to the third pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, league sources said. Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf is running point but New England president Jonathan Kraft is heavily involved in the decision making, according to those sources. Last week, Wolf, the man tapped by …

11 months ago

The Patriots enter the NFL draft needing a QB, but could trade down to fill other needs

Associated Press

— The 2024 NFL draft represents the next chapter in the remaking of the New England Patriots. Wolf wouldn’t divulge their internal ranking of the top quarterback prospects, but said “there’s a general consensus how we feel about these players.” The focus is getting quality players who can help turn the page on back-to-back losing seasons. Mayo said he has …

1 year ago

NFL beat writer mock draft 2.0: Vikings, Broncos trade up into top 10 to grab QBs

New York Times

The 2024 NFL Draft is just five weeks away, and the jockeying for the top quarterbacks remains this year’s buzziest topic. See the interview later on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/hjjarYZsv7 — Tom Pelissero March 20, 2024 The Jets were hoping one of the top wide receivers would fall to them, but when that didn’t happen, their options narrowed to Bowers or an …

1 year ago

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Rome Odunze cracks top 5, Packers move up for Cooper DeJean

New York Times

Team needs could change in a hurry once NFL free agency opens this week. Before pen can meet paper on most of the official deals, though, let’s take one more look at how the 2024 NFL Draft’s first round could play out. GO DEEPER 15 of the most intriguing early-entry 2024 NFL Draft prospects Titans GM Ran Carthon mentioned at …

1 year ago

Patriots agree to trade QB Mac Jones to the Jaguars for a 6th-round draft pick, AP source says

Associated Press

Booed and benched the past two years in New England, quarterback Mac Jones is headed home to become a backup. The Patriots and new coach Jerod Mayo agreed Sunday to trade Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a sixth-round pick in next month’s NFL draft, according to a person with knowledge of the decision. The person spoke to The Associated …

1 year ago

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Trades shake up Round 1; QBs, WRs dominate early

New York Times

After a week at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, we are left with information overload. GO DEEPER Russini: What I'm hearing at the NFL combine on the Bears, Kirk Cousins and more General manager Joe Schoen won’t be able to hide his smile if Nabers is still available at No. And one league source told me that de facto …

1 year ago

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Before the combine, our college football writers project Round 1

New York Times

The 2024 NFL Draft is eight weeks away, and the arrival of the combine this week in Indianapolis gives The Athletic’s college football staff a chance to discuss how some of the 2023 college football season’s standout performers will become impact professionals in 2024 and beyond. Below, ten members of The Athletic’s college football staff offer their insight and projections …

1 year, 1 month ago

Broncos 7-round mock draft: 2 new targets in the passing game and a Day 3 QB

New York Times

As the calendar flips to February, the Denver Broncos are less than three months away from being on the clock in the first round of the NFL Draft for the first time since 2021. 12, Bowers could be an ideal fit for the Broncos, who had less production from the tight end position last season than any team in the …

1 year, 1 month ago

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Caleb Williams sticks at No. 1, Giants add Malik Nabers

New York Times

Follow live coverage of Super Bowl LVIII between San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs A dramatic NFL Conference Championship Weekend wrapped Sunday night with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers headed to Super Bowl LVIII. Here’s an updated guess at how Round 1 might play out: Williams should hold pole position in every mock draft until we …

1 year, 2 months ago

Falcons mock draft reaction: Is Jayden Daniels the right pick for QB-needy Atlanta?

New York Times

Things don’t often fall into place for the Atlanta Falcons, which is why Dane Brugler’s latest 2024 mock draft is such a rare treat. They aren’t near the range necessary to take Southern California’s Caleb Williams or North Carolina’s Drake Maye, but Brugler thinks they can get LSU’s Jayden Daniels at their current spot. Washington wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk would …

1 year, 2 months ago

How Bill Belichick’s mishandling of Mac Jones, offense, led to demise with Patriots

New York Times

Bill Belichick’s failure to develop Mac Jones, both in mishandling him individually and in his inability to build an offensive environment conducive to a quarterback’s success, was the undoing of his tenure with the New England Patriots. GO DEEPER Howe: It was never Bill Belichick or Tom Brady: They carried the Pats to glory together Belichick’s struggles to build a …

1 year, 3 months ago

The Patriots’ best options in the NFL Draft: Marvin Harrison Jr. or a top quarterback?

New York Times

The New England Patriots got pleasant news Monday night when the Chicago Bears upset the Minnesota Vikings, which improved the Bears’ record to 4-8. GO DEEPER NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Bears, Patriots land new QBs; Jayden Daniels crashes top 10 QB Caleb Williams, USC The defending Heisman Trophy winner was viewed as the clear-cut No. He wasn’t listed among Dane’s …

1 year, 4 months ago

Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe or Will Grier? Patriots’ midweek QB competition isn’t what they need

New York Times

— Bill Belichick knew the questions were coming. He had to after he benched his starting quarterback, Mac Jones, for a third time this season, then left for the bye weekend with the most important question facing his New England Patriots still unresolved. Offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien said all three quarterbacks on the roster — Jones, Bailey Zappe and Will …

1 year, 4 months ago

Patriots will come out of their bye week with an eye on the future for Bill Belichick and Mac Jones

Associated Press

For now, the New England Patriots need to figure out who will play quarterback when they return from the bye week. With the team on track to miss the playoffs for the third time in four seasons since Tom Brady defected to Tampa Bay, Bill Belichick’s job is at stake. Belichick has deflected questions about his future with his usual …

1 year, 4 months ago

Bill Belichick’s next stop and Mac Jones’ future: 7 thoughts on the Patriots at the bye

New York Times

— Before the New England Patriots take a much-needed break to escape the pressures and frustrations of a 2-8 mark to open the season, the team gathered for one full-padded practice this week, a mundane affair Wednesday afternoon. The Patriots have yet to name a starting quarterback for that game, and Jones said Tuesday on WEEI that he hasn’t been …

1 year, 4 months ago

The Mac Jones era in New England is over as Patriots fall to Colts in Germany

New York Times

FRANKFURT, Germany — The end of the Mac Jones era in New England was unceremonious. But Sunday, following Jones’ 15-of-20 passing performance for 170 yards, a ridiculous five sacks and that game-altering pick, the hope that Jones could be the Patriots’ franchise quarterback died at this charming stadium in the woods where a packed crowd deserved a more attractive game. …

1 year, 4 months ago

Mac Jones’ future and 5 other Patriots storylines to follow in the season’s second half

New York Times

The New England Patriots’ playoff hopes went out the window after Sunday’s loss to the Miami Dolphins dropped them to 2-6. On one hand, it would be a bit awkward if McDaniels returned in the middle of the season, perhaps forcing new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien to look over his shoulder. Even if it’s not this season, it seems possible …

1 year, 5 months ago

Mac Jones’ late TD pass lifts Patriots over Bills 29-25; Bill Belichick is 3rd coach with 300 wins

Associated Press

— Bill Belichick will wait for another day to talk about the latest milestone win of his coaching career. Mac Jones threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Mike Gesicki with 12 seconds remaining to lift the New England Patriots to a 29-25 win over the Bills, making Belichick the third coach in NFL history with 300 regular-season victories. “We’ll worry …

1 year, 5 months ago

Patriots QB Mac Jones offers belief with game-winning drive in enormous upset of Bills

New York Times

— In the quiet of the offseason, New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones would occasionally fire up some footage from the opportunities missed, the ones that kept him up at night. But it’s also fair to note that this was exactly how the Patriots envisioned Jones would run the offense, trusting coordinator Bill O’Brien to scheme up opportunities for yards …

1 year, 5 months ago

New England Patriots at the trade deadline: 7 deals that would make sense

New York Times

Bill Belichick dodged a question Wednesday morning about how the New England Patriots’ 1-5 record might impact their thinking leading up to the Oct. 31 NFL trade deadline. The league’s compensatory pick formula has occasionally persuaded teams not to trade away talented players since they can typically get a draft pick in return once the player leaves in free agency. …

1 year, 5 months ago

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Caleb Williams, Marvin Harrison Jr. to Bears; Broncos nab Drake Maye

New York Times

Read the latest 2024 NFL mock draft from The Athletic’s draft expert, Dane Brugler The 2024 NFL Draft looks like it’ll be loaded at the top with elite talent, including a couple of highly coveted quarterbacks. — Nick Baumgardner GO DEEPER Jahns: A Bears reporter’s scouting report on USC QB Caleb Williams Although Fashanu might have been the top-ranked offensive …

1 year, 5 months ago

Bill Belichick’s future, Malik Cunningham’s usage and the Patriots’ struggling O-line

New York Times

Out of sight of all the cameras, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick met Las Vegas Raiders coach Josh McDaniels by the Pats’ team buses at Allegiant Stadium to catch up after New England’s 21-17 loss Sunday. GO DEEPER The Patriots tried to start over — but they're still the same old struggling team LIVE: Bill Belichick Press Conference 10/16: …

1 year, 5 months ago

Mac Jones will remain Patriots’ starting QB this week against Raiders, Bill Belichick says

Associated Press

— The Patriots are making some big changes to try to improve their offense. New England coach Bill Belichick said Wednesday that Mac Jones will remain the starter when the Patriots visit the Las Vegas Raiders. “ definitely a real thing, right, when you’re not playing too well,” Jones said. We’ve put a lot of work in together and we’ve …

1 year, 8 months ago

Patriots training camp: One thought on every offensive player entering the season

New York Times

This week, the Patriots open training camp, which is the best opportunity for players to make an impression on coaches before the season starts. But even if teams are incentivized to keep three quarterbacks on the roster this year, McSorley’s spot isn’t assured and he needs to have some moments during training camp. Now he’s someone the Pats are looking …

1 year, 10 months ago

2023 NFL Draft Day 2 winners and losers: Patriots, Steelers add studs; Panthers, Jags fail to deliver

New York Times

The Athletic has around-the-clock coverage of the NFL Draft picks, grades and trades. GO DEEPER Titans select Kentucky QB Will Levis after trade New England Patriots – A day after seeing the top cornerback in the draft drop into their laps, Bill Belichick & Co. get another highly-rated defender in Georgia Tech defensive end Keion White. GO DEEPER Lions select …

1 year, 10 months ago

AP NFL Mock Draft: Panthers take Alabama’s Bryce Young No. 1

Associated Press

It took the Carolina Panthers until this week to decide which quarterback they’ll select with the No. Arizona Cardinals: WILL ANDERSON, EDGE, ALABAMA New coach Jonathan Gannon benefited from having a dominant defensive line last season as a defensive coordinator for the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles. New England Patriots: BRODERICK JONES, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, GEORGIA The Patriots get an athletic left …

1 year, 10 months ago

NFL Mock Draft 2023: Our beat writers pick 5 QBs in first round with Bryce Young No. 1

New York Times

With the 2023 NFL Draft set to get underway Thursday, the timing was right to get our beat writers together one last time to see how they’d represent the team they cover with their first selection. New coach Shane Steichen’s track record with QBs — most recently Eagles dual-threat superstar Jalen Hurts — gives the team confidence that he can …

1 year, 11 months ago

Sam Farmer’s final 2023 NFL mock draft: Four QBs set to go in the first round

LA Times

There could be four quarterbacks selected in the opening round of the NFL draft Thursday evening, and this mock has three going in the first five picks. Sports NFL mock draft live: Team reporters make their first-round picks Reporters who cover their teams on a daily basis predict how the first round of the 2023 NFL draft will unfold in …

1 year, 11 months ago

Raiders 2023 mock draft 3.0: Who to target after trading back twice?

New York Times

Follow live coverage of NFL Draft 2023 For one last time this NFL Draft season, we fired up the simulator, put on our Dave Ziegler and Josh McDaniels masks and set out on making the most of the Raiders 12 draft picks. GO DEEPER Las Vegas Raiders NFL Draft 2023 guide: Picks, predictions and key needs Round 1, Pick 17 …

1 year, 11 months ago

Patriots enter NFL draft holding 11 picks to address needs

Associated Press

— Most of the New England Patriots’ shortcomings last season can be traced back to the experiments they tried on offense that simply didn’t pan out. Former offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien is back, along with new coaches, including offensive line coach Adrian Klemm. Belichick also spent some money on beefing up the talent around Jones, letting last season’s top producing …

1 year, 11 months ago

NFL Draft 2023: Patriots exec Matt Groh dishes on receivers, team speed, plans for pick 14

New York Times

As Matt Groh prepares for his second NFL Draft as the director of player personnel for the Patriots, he didn’t hide from the importance of what lies ahead. “You’re hoping there at 14 you can get a pretty good player,” Groh said. “I would not say that as a personnel staff we said, ‘Oh yeah, our personnel was good enough,’” …

1 year, 11 months ago

Giants 7-round mock draft: Surrounding Daniel Jones with talent takes priority

New York Times

Joe Schoen was armed with cap space in his second offseason as Giants general manager, so he made some splashy moves, re-signing quarterback Daniel Jones, trading for tight end Darren Waller and signing linebacker Bobby Okereke. GO DEEPER New York Giants NFL Draft 2023 guide: Picks, predictions and key needs To get a feel for how the draft could play …

1 year, 11 months ago

Sam Farmer’s crystal ball: NFL mock draft 2.0 after big trade for top pick

LA Times

Everybody knows Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson can throw the deep ball. Arizona: Edge Will Anderson Jr., Alabama — J.J. Watt and Zach Allen are gone, and Jonathan Gannon is looking to shore up the NFL’s second-worst scoring defense. Detroit: Edge Nolan Smith, Georgia — Having addressed their need at corner with their first pick, the Lions circle back and bolster …

2 years ago

NFL 2023 Beat Writer Mock Draft: QBs go quickly, surprise trade, Aaron Rodgers stalemate

New York Times

With a new team picking No. — Alec Lewis GO DEEPER Thoughts on the Vikings' draft plans after the first wave of free agency The Falcons proved with last year’s No. — Bo Wulf The Titans could look elsewhere here after signing Andre Dillard, who should get first crack at being the team’s new left tackle. The Jets can plug …

2 years ago

NFL mock draft: After Panthers trade for No. 1, 4 quarterbacks go in top 4 picks

New York Times

Dane Brugler’s The Beast, the complete 2023 NFL Draft Guide, is now available. His aggressive general manager, Scott Fitterer, checked that box — and perhaps set the tone for what’s to come … Recency bias could be in play with the choice of Stroud over Bryce Young, as the two-time Big Ten offensive player of the year rocked the combine …

2 years ago

Sam Farmer’s crystal ball: NFL mock draft 2023 version 1.0

LA Times

Quarterback mobility is a big deal in the NFL, and you can expect that a lot of teams are going to get mobile to land a quarterback. Detroit: Edge Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech — The Lions badly need help at cornerback but with two picks in the top 18 might wait and grab a quality pass rusher here. Philadelphia: CB …

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4 days, 17 hours ago

Stefon Diggs to New England Patriots? Rumour mills churning as WR takes first free agency visit

Hindustan Times

Four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs has reportedly begun exploring his options in free agency, with his first team visit taking place in Foxboro to meet with the New England Patriots, according to The Athletic. NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Diggs continues recovering from an ACL tear that prematurely ended his 2024 season with the Houston Texans. Patriots …

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5 days, 11 hours ago