NFL:

Jonathan Jones from Auburn is another track star/football player that is a standout solid cornerback who once won the national title in the 110-meter hurdles. Jones isn’t the biggest guy at 5’9, 186 pounds but he’s fast and ran a blistering 4.33 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.

Garrett has a long stride to speed by opponents but the size and physicality to win jump balls and be able to bring down balls in traffic. Possesses very good hands, timing on his jumps and has the quickness at the line where he can beat man coverage

Howard has the proto-typical size of an NFL power back at 6’0, 230 and has a thick, powerful build. He has good vision and will follow his blockers to daylight and has decent lateral agility for a big man.

Jonathan Williams from Arkansas is a power back who fits the Patriots needs perfectly. Powerfully built at 5’11, 220, he has quick feet to avoid tacklers but is at his best when running north-south. Prior to his injury in August that caused him to miss the entire season, he had a very solid 2014 season. Running in the tough SEC, Williams averaged 91.5 yards per game and 5.6 yards per carry for the Razorbacks.

Belichick then got TE Marcellus Bennett and a 6th round pick from the Bears for a 4th round pick. Bennett is a dynamic tight end who should pair well with Rob Gronkowski and give Tom Brady big targets in the red zone as well as excellent blockers in the running game. Bennett caught 90 passes two years ago but was injured in 2015.

Dixon is not the biggest back at 5’10, 215 but he’s not afraid to and is effective running between the tackles. In his four years at La. Tech he had a combined 87 touchdowns, (72 rushing and 15 receiving) and is very effective after first contact. He averaged 3.3 yards after contact despite only averaging 1.7 before contact due to his being keyed on

McClellin was originally drafted by the Bears in the first round of the 2012 draft from Boise State with the 19th overall and used as a defensive end. He was reportedly on the Patriots radar in the draft but the Bears selected him two picks before New England selected Chandler Jones.

With reports that the Bears and Bennett were heading for a split, it now appears that the two teams have made the deal for only draft considerations. Reports are surfacing that the teams will also swap draft picks. Schefter is reporting that the teams will swap mid-to-late draft picks.

Adding Long was a master stroke by Bill Belichick as within hours he was able to swing a trade for DE Chandler Jones to the Arizona Cardinals for a 2nd round draft pick as well as G Jonathan Cooper and then add Long to replace Jones on the roster.

Regardless, the trade is a win-win for both teams, Arizona is looking for a pass rusher having Dwight Freeney now a free agent and the Patriots have questions with the offensive line and have lost their 1st round draft pick with Deflategate sanctions.

Bill Belichick always builds his rosters slowly and with the team goals in mind, not a fantasy football roster. His success the past 15 years play out how well his philosophy works.

Hogan is a great fit for the Patriots offense, versatile, fast, agile with good size, he can play anywhere on the receiver tree and be a more productive member of the offense here than he ever was in Buffalo.

On Friday the National Football League announced the allocation of 33 compensatory draft picks for the 2016 NFL Draft, which will be held April 28-30. The New England Patriots received the maximum four compensatory picks: one in the third round, and three in the sixth round.

The Patriots offered RFA Chris Hogan a 3-year offer for $12 million-dollars with a 2016 cap hit of $5.5 million which will make it very difficult for the Buffalo Bills to match. Hogan has signed his offer sheet and the Bills have five days to match.

The Patriots traditionally have made their moves on the second day of free agency after the initial frenzy of over-priced contracts dies down. Last year, they signed DE Jabaal Sheard on Day 2