{"id":35744,"date":"2021-02-28T05:00:04","date_gmt":"2021-02-28T10:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=35744"},"modified":"2021-02-27T12:29:57","modified_gmt":"2021-02-27T17:29:57","slug":"new-england-patriots-news-02-28-afc-east-notes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2021\/02\/28\/new-england-patriots-news-02-28-afc-east-notes\/","title":{"rendered":"New England Patriots News 02-28, AFC East Notes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Good morning, here is your <\/span>Sunday Patriots news 02-28 and AFC East notes<\/b> this week. It is hard to believe that we\u2019ll be in March tomorrow. That means that free agency is right around the corner and the NFL Draft is right after that.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With that in mind please check out our draft profiles as we inch closer to the 2021 NFL Draft.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Have you checked out our team news feature for all 32 teams yet? It is a great resource to keep up with what is going on all across the NFL.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/b>Quick Hitters For the Pats, and the NFL:<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Russell Wilson: <\/b>The Patriots, not surprisingly, were not on Wilson\u2019s list of four teams (Dallas, New Orleans, Las Vegas, and Chicago), that he would accept a trade to. However, if the Seahawks did indeed trade Wilson, then it would potentially open up another QB that isn\u2019t currently on the market.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While I still doubt that Seattle will move on from him, Wilson could, like Deshaun Watson is attempting to do, force his way out of town. And in doing so, he could conceivably help the Patriots in their search for a new QB. Of course, Seattle would be looking for a QB in return for their starter\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

However, for the sake of discussion, a trade to Dallas would then make Dak Prescott available, where it is expected Dallas would tag and then trade him. A trade to the Saints would make Jameis Winston available, although how attractive he\u2019d be to the turnover averse Bill Belichick would be debatable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Las Vegas is already set (according to most analysts) to be parting ways with Marcus Mariota and a $10.5 million salary. But, one would have to assume that Derek Carr would be part of the compensation for Wilson…right? Seattle doesn\u2019t have a 1st round draft pick, they have the 56th pick. Las Vegas has #17, and it is doubtful that a QB will still be available…so Carr would probably be at least a bridge QB in Pete Carroll\u2019s offense.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Chicago, Mitch Trubisky is a free agent, (See Winston\/BB), with Nick Foles, and I would believe he\u2019d be low on the Patriots\u2019 wish list. But stranger things have happened.<\/span><\/p>\n

Julian Edelman – <\/b>The news, thus far has been far from favorable for the Patriots\u2019 long-time wide receiver. Edelman wants to play in 2021, and is still rehabbing from his knee injury and surgery. But according to NFL.com\u2019s Ian Rapoport, “My understanding is he does want to play in 2021… that’s not the important thing. The important thing is, is his knee going to be healthy enough to play? He is still rehabbing, he is still recovering, still trying to see if he’s healthy enough to be out there for the 2021 season. No decision has been made yet on which way that’s going to go.”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dont\u2019a Hightower, Pat Chung, Marcus Cannon: <\/b>The big three of opt-outs for the Patriots in 2020 are all reportedly returning in 2021. Hightower would immediately upgrade a linebacker position that was badly in need of depth in 2020. While the Patriots drafted Kyle Dugger in 2020, Chung\u2019s return would allow them to move Dugger around a bit, but he is the future. Cannon is set to make far too much money in 2021, and with the ascension of Justin Herron and Michael Onwenu, he may find himself cut to save a lot of money in cap space.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4th & 2 Podcast<\/b> – If you haven\u2019t checked out our <\/span>PatsFans.com podcast, <\/span><\/a>\u201cPatriots 4th & 2\u201d in a bit, please check it out. Russ, Derek, and I recorded a podcast a couple of weeks ago (hopefully we\u2019ll get back together soon) and talked about the Super Bowl, the Belichick-Brady silly debate, and had the great Patriots historian Bob Hyldburg Jr. aka <\/span>@BobtheStatman<\/span><\/a> on the pod to talk about his latest book.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Russ Francis\/ Chuck Fairbanks:<\/b> The former Patriot tight end and head coach both should be in the Patriots team Hall of Fame…this will be on our Sunday posts until it happens.<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking a Look at Free Agency, Wide Receiver Class:<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Patriots are in dire need of wide receiver help in 2021 and should add at least two quality players at the position this spring.\u00a0 They will have the opportunity to use the draft, free agency, or a combination of both to retool the position. We\u2019ve reported repeatedly the need for a QB first, but assuming they have a plan (and are successful), then comes the next domino, the wide receivers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve been listing some draft names to keep an eye on, and there will be more to come, but free agency will come before the draft, so we\u2019ll start there.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a listing of some of the top WRs in this year\u2019s free agency class.<\/span><\/p>\n

Allen Robinson, Chris Godwin, Kenny Golladay, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Antonio Brown, Corey Davis, Will Fuller, Curtis Samuel, T.Y. Hilton, Nelson Agholor, Sammy Watkins, Marvin Jones, Josh Reynolds, Kendrick Bourne, Rashard Higgins, Tyrell Williams, Breshad Perriman, A.J. Green, Danny Amendola, Keelan Cole, among many others.<\/span><\/p>\n

I think the first four guys on the list will be way-too overpriced for the Patriots to be serious contenders for their services. But what about AB? Brown is 33 and left New England under a contentious cloud. But his numbers in just eight games translate to 90 catches, 966 yards, and 8 TDs.<\/span><\/p>\n

So who do we feel here are A. realistic and B. a good fit for the Patriots? Glad you asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Corey Davis:<\/b> The former 1st round pick (#5 overall), has never lived up to his draft position but has been a solid performer regardless and is just 26. The Titans last year declined their fifth-year option and Davis responded with his best year with 65 catches, 984 yards, and 5 TDs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With the Patriots\u2019 run-heavy offense, Davis could be in-line for a big year as he could work on single coverage and find some wide-open spots in coverages. However, plenty of teams will be vying for his services, and he won\u2019t come bone-cheap.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Curtis Samuel:<\/b> The young (24), wide receiver was the third WR for the Panthers in 2020. And yet he produced 77 catches, 854 yards, and 3 TDs. He added 200 yards rushing with 2 TDs. He brings speed, play-making ability, and versatility to the table, two things sorely lacking in the Patriots\u2019 offense.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Working with Josh McDaniels, I could see Samuel having a huge role with the offense. Much will depend on the QB and the compensation, but if they could convince him to sign in NE, he would be a great fit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sammy Watkins:<\/b> The Chiefs WR is 28, and has never been a #1 and wouldn\u2019t be in New England, however, if they can sign an upper-tier guy, Watkins who was injured much of 2020, would be a nice depth piece, much like he was used with the Chiefs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He\u2019s not going to break the bank, nor should he but he\u2019d bring the speed element that is missing. Like Davis and Samuel, with a run-heavy offense, it would open up big chunks of real estate for him to operate in.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave Ziegler Taking Over From Nick Caserio Is No Easy Task:<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Patriots lost Nick Caserio to the Texans this winter, and his shoes will not be easy ones to fill. Caserio was the Patriots\u2019 Director of Player Personnel as well as Bill Belichick\u2019s most trusted deputy. He would even throw to WRs in practice when needed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, Ziegler, who was the assistant to Caserio for the past eight years has been tossed into the deep end of the pool. But he is seemingly not only accepting the challenge…he is heading into it with vigor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ziegler spoke with <\/span>Patriots.com<\/span><\/a> Megan O\u2019Brien and had some interesting comments about the upcoming free agency period, the team\u2019s cap space, and his assistants who are now gathering more responsibility.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been fun, and it\u2019s been challenging,\u201d Ziegler said… Luckily for me, the support here within the scouting department from people like Brian Smith and Steve Cargile, Eliot Wolf \u2014 I could keep naming people, but we have so many good people here that offer support, that have the experience, that it\u2019s made the transition pretty seamless.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd it\u2019s exciting. A new challenge, more involvement, being able to lead more people and hopefully have a greater impact is something that we all strive for in our careers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think having cap space gives you flexibility,\u201d Ziegler added. \u201cThere aren\u2019t a whole lot of teams at this point that maybe have a lot of cap space, so I think having that flexibility, it just opens up options for you. And I think that at the same time, there\u2019s still a responsibility to spend those dollars wisely.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

_______________<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, how was your week?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Follow me on Twitter @SteveB7SFG or email me at<\/span><\/i> stevebpatsfans@gmail.com<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Listen to our<\/span><\/i> Patriots 4th and 2<\/span><\/i><\/a> podcasts on Stitcher and Streamyard as Russ Goldman, Derek Havens, and myself from<\/span><\/i> PatsFans.com<\/span><\/i><\/a> discuss the latest Patriots news and game analysis.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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