New England Patriots links 4/23/24 – 2024 NFL Draft: To three, or not to three, that is the question

Daily news and links for Tuesday.

TEAM TALK

• Transaction: Patriots sign TE Mitchell Wilcox.
• Patriots 2024 NFL Draft Primer and ways to watch.
• Evan Lazar tackles this week’s Patriots Mailbag: With the draft days away, what will the Pats do in the first round?
• Draft journey: Christian Gonzalez’s journey from college football to the NFL. (4.34 min. video)
• Alexandra Francisco reports Kevin Hart set to host ‘roast’ of Patriots legend Tom Brady live on Netflix next month.

LOCAL LINKS

• Alex Barth reports the Patriots added to their tight end room by signing free agent Mitchell Wilcox.
• Jordy McElroy suggests one wide receiver for the Patriots for every round of the 2024 NFL draft.
• Kevin Stone offers some thoughts on if Jonathan Kraft should be involved with deciding future of No. 3 pick.
• Sara Marshall points out how the recent report of Jonathan Kraft being “heavily involved” in the decision-making behind what to do with the No. 3 pick, contradicts the assurances made by Robert Kraft that the ownership had no interest in making football decisions.
• Jordy McElroy ranks the 15 best Patriots draft picks since 2000.
• Jordy McElroy ranks all 32 NFL teams by strength of schedule. Patriots 31st.
• Jerry Thornton notes NFL Draft Week kicks off with the Pats in the eye of a Category 5 hurricane of trade rumors.
• Justin Leger posts a draft rumors roundup predicting what the Patriots plan on doing with their No. 3 overall pick.
• Mark Morse posts his final 7 round Patriots Mock Draft; Matthew Slater news.
• Mark Daniels makes the case for why Drake Maye is the obvious choice for Patriots.
• Amin Touri looks at whether the Patriots should pursue QB Jayden Daniels with the No. 3 pick. Daniels won the Heisman this season after leading the FBS in both passing yards per attempt and rushing yards per carry.
• Andy Hart asserts that “no offense,” but bridge QB Jacoby Brissett should have absolutely nothing to do with whichever QB the Patriots pick with the No. 3 pick.
• Darren Hartwell relays Adam Schefter with an interesting scenario the Patriots could pursue if they want to move off the No. 3 pick yet still take an elite QB in the 2024 NFL Draft.
• Darren Hartwell notes Albert Breer thinks it’s “pretty unlikely” the Patriots move off the No. 3 pick in the first round.
• Chris Mason gives us a cheat sheet on possible QB target if the Patriots trade down.
• Doug Kyed identifies the 10 best bets for the Patriots’ Day 2 and 3 picks.
• Nicole Yang predicts how the Patriots will use their eight selections in the draft. Pats pick QB Drake Maye at No. 3.
• Alex Barth’s Patriots Mock Draft 3.0: Reading the tea leaves. Pats pick QB Drake Maye at No. 3.
• Mike Kadlick’s final Patriots mock draft: New England doesn’t overthink it, lands franchise QB, Drake Maye at No. 3.
• Ben Volin’s NFL mock draft: Patriots trade with Vikings, pick QB J.J. McCarthy at No. 11. ‘The Vikings seem to want Maye more than the Patriots do. And after a lot of haggling and arm-twisting, the Patriots convince the Vikings to trade Picks 11 and 23, next year’s first-rounder, plus a mid-round pick for the opportunity to draft Maye. Let the second-guessing begin in New England’.
• Locked On Patriots podcast: Mike D’Abate talks with Steve Balestrieri about which direction the Pats may take with the No. 3 overall pick. (46 min.)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Patriots work out WRs Mitchell Wilcox, Brycen Hopkins, Sean McKeon.
• Mike Tanier (Substack) Metaphysical Draft needs. Patriots specific needs: Quarterback, wide receiver, offensive line. ‘There’s a fine line between “patience” and “paralysis.” The Patriots have spent the last three months straddling that line.’ More.
• Jori Epstein (Yahoo! Sports) Would QB-needy Patriots actually trade down from No. 3? Here’s what the NFL thinks.
• Danny Kelly (The Ringer) The final 2024 Big Board: Ranking the Top 100 players in the NFL Draft.
• Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) Top 150 prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft class.
• Jori Epstein (Yahoo! Sports) Historic QB trend is about to shape the NFL Draft — and careers of Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Michael Penix Jr. pens open letter to all General Managers.
• Analysts (NFL.com) 2024 NFL Draft debate: Which team has the most to gain? Patriots included.
• Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports) 2024 NFL Mock Draft: ‘What teams SHOULD do’ edition. Patriots trade up for WR. Pats pick Drake Maye at No. 3.
• Charles McDonald and Nate Tice (Yahoo! Sports) NFL mock draft: With one major trade-up, it’s a QB party in the top 5. Pats take QB Drake Maye at No. 3.
• Brian Wilson (NY Post) The Zach Wilson era – or error – has come to an end as Jets trade Wilson to Broncos.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Jets, Broncos will split Zach Wilson’s $5.5 million guaranteed salary for 2024.
• Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Matt Ryan announces his retirement.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Tampering punishment for Falcons over Kirk Cousins could be announced this week.

EXTRACURRICULAR

• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Pat Tillman died 20 years ago yesterday. /Highly recommend Jon Krakauer’s book, “Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman”.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Robert Kraft ends support of Columbia University over antisemitism on campus.
• John Breech (CBS Sports) Tom Brady Netflix roast is happening: Time, date, how to stream the retired QB get roasted in comedy special.