Patriots links 2/20/26: Do Pats need to reach for WR star?

Foxboro, MA - August 11 - Wide receiver Mack Hollins (13) of the New England Patriots makes a catch during practice at Gillet Stadium. (Photo by Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images

TEAM TALK

• Patriots updated Mock Draft Tracker.
• Patriots Unfiltered:NFL Combine preview, prospects/positions to watch, draft prep. (2 hours)
• From NFL Network: Bucky Brooks discusses top 5 RB prospects (2 min. video) - top 5 WR prospects (5 min. video) - top five EDGE prospects (1 min. video) and top 5 DBs (3 min. video) ahead of the Draft.

LOCAL LINKS

• Andrew Callahan's five steps to get back to the Super Bowl: No. 5Put finishing touches on defense.
• Mark Morse's Patriots News: Plus, NFL Draft Combine preview.
• Meghan Ottolini posts 5 storylines that will define the Patriots' offseason. 1. Christian Gonzalez extension.
• Alex Barth wonders if the Raiders will get the hefty return they want for Maxx Crosby.
• Khari Thompson looks at ESPN analyst Seth Walder's hypothetical trade to figure out what it would take for the Patriots to land AJ Brown.
• Conor Ryan explains why TE Kyle Pitts could a top free-agent target for the Patriots.
• Sara Marshall looks at Mike Vrabel's history to alert Patriots fans that he might not make the splashy moves they want.
• Colin Keane relays NFL analyst Louis Riddick, making it clear that New England must prioritize offense this offseason, specifically targeting a true No. 1 WR or big X/Z target for Drake Maye.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Mike Moraitis (Sporting News) Patriots make classy $400,000 decision on wide receiver Mack Hollins.
• Brent Sobleski (Bleacher Report) Re-grading every team's 2025 draft class after rookie seasons. Pats: A-.
• Kevin Patra (NFL.com) A.J. Brown used to hate' Mike Vrabel during time together in Tennessee.
• Austin Swaim (Pro Football Network) Biggest decision for all 32 NFL teams this offseason. Patriots: Where does the team acquire a go-to guy for Maye? /Click for commentary.
• Conor Orr (SI) Making 32 bold predictions for the 2026 NFL offseason. The Patriots will sign either Kyle Pitts or Isaiah Likely. /Click for commentary.
• John Breech (CBS Sports) 2026 NFL schedule rumors: Tracking all international games that've been revealed. Patriots included.
• Eva Geitheim (SI) One sentence to describe each team's QB situation before free agency. Patriots: After following up an MVP caliber season with a disastrous postseason, Drake Maye will at least be able to turn to hiswife's popular baked treatsfor comfort./Weak.
• Staff (NFL.com) 2026 NFL scouting combine: Full list of draft prospects invited: Feb 23 through March 2.
• Anthony Licciardi (Sporting News) Five measurements to look forward to at the NFL Scouting Combine.
• Mike Renner (CBS Sports) Top defensive prospects entering the 2026 NFL combine by position.
• Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports) 2026 NFL Draft Big Board: Top 125 rankings with few answers at QB but franchise talent elsewhere.
• Ben Solak (ESPN) Ranking deepest, thinnest positions in NFL free agency, draft.
• Dan Wilkins (The Score) 25 cut candidates who could spice up NFL free agency. Stefon Diggs included.
• Dan Parr (NFL.com) Seven biggest draft takeaways from Daniel Jeremiah's pre-combine conference call.
• Staff (ESPN) Parity the theme as DraftKings releases 2026 NFL win totals. Patriots: 9.5.
• Highlights (NFL.com) Every teams' best play of the 2025 regular season. Patriots: Week 5 at Bills (39 sec. mark) TreVeyon Henderson scores with Drake Maye blocking out in front.
• Alex Kennedy (ESPN) What's the oldest NFL stadium? Soldier to SoFi in age. Gillette Stadium 18th oldest.
• Courtney Cronin (ESPN) Indiana unanimously passes bill to lure Bears away from Chicago.
• Field Yates (ESPN) 2026 NFL mock draft: First round. Pats pick Utah OT/G Caleb Lomu at 31.