Patriots links 3/02/26: Patriots at the Combine: What’s the buzz?

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 05: A New England Patriots fan cheers during the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on January 05, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images) | Getty Images

TEAM TALK

• Patriots updated Mock Draft Tracker.
• Evan Lazar's 2026 free agent forecast: Quarterbacks.
• Evan Lazar spotlights 13 standouts from Offensive Line workouts and 11 standouts from the Wide Receiver workouts - at the Combine.
• Evan Lazar gives us five takeaways from the Tight End, Defensive Back workouts and five takeaways from the Defensive Line, Edge Rusher, and Linebacker workouts at the Combine.

LOCAL LINKS

• Mike Reiss shares some quick-hit weekend thoughts: Combine intel; Patriots prioritize draft, developing their own players; Chaisson projection; Safety vision; Maye's focus; More.
• Steve Balestrieri's Sunday Patriots News: The Patriots are looking for Edge rushers; More.
• Ethan Hurwitz shares his Patriots Combine Takeaways: EDGE is priority, lack of extension talks; More.
• Phil Perry spills on the Patriots intel he's heard at the Combine, Diggs' future, A.J. Brown buzz; More.
• Justin Leger profiles seven Vrabel Guys' the Patriots could target in 2026 NFL Draft.
• Andrew Callahan and Doug Kyed speak with several coaches, scouts, agents and executives around the league about the Patriots' plans for free agency, a star-studded trade market, the 2026 draft, and beyond.
• Ethan Hurwitz NFL Combine Notebook: WRs Drawing Interest from Patriots; More.
• Meghan Ottolini sees the Patriots at an offseason crossroads and explains why it comes down to age.
• Mike D'Abate suggests the Patriots could extend Christian Gonzalez instead of fifth-year option.
• Chris Mason reports the price for Christian Gonzalez's fifth-year option has been revealed: As a cornerback with one Pro Bowl berth, it'd cost the Patriots $18.12 million to lock him up for an extra season.
• Matt Legros previews the status of Patriots' RFA Jack Gibbens.
• WEEI guest Tom E. Curran believes Pats will explore options' to potentially upgrade from Stefon Diggs.
• Mark Morse' Patriots at the Combine: Defensive Linemen, Linebackers - Cornerbacks, Safeties, Tight Ends - Running backs, Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers.
• Alex Barth spotlights the 2026 Combine standouts: Defensive linemen, EDGE rushers, linebackers - Cornerbacks, safeties, tight ends - Wide receivers, running backs & quarterbacks - Offensive linemen.
• Mike D'Abate looks at three players who may have climbed up the Patriots draft board at the Combine and three players who may have fallen down in the ranks.
• Andrew Callahan identifies Jaelan Phillips and 8 more pass rushers the Patriots could sign.
• Mark Daniels thumbnails five free agent pass rushers the Patriots could sign.
• Danny Jaillet thinks the Pats could be eyeing two key defensive free agents in particular: Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson and Eagles edge rusher Jaelan Phillips.
• Ethan Hurwitz profiles Iowa WR and return man Kaden Wetjen, who could help the Pats fill a dire need.
• Matt Legros tells us where New England stands in salary cap space ahead of free agency.
• Jordy McElroy mentions the Pats reportedly considering position change for promising OL Jared Wilson.
• Alex Barth's NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Building off the Combine. Pats pick Missourie EDGE Zion Young at 31.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Albert Breer (SI) NFL Takeaways: Heeding the lessons of the Lions' 2023 Draft Class; Plus, what's next for Maxx Crosby, Tua Tagovailoa, Kyler Murray and Kirk Cousins.
• Bill Barnwell (ESPN) 2026 NFL free agency: Best players available on offense and on defense.
• Matt Miller (ESPN) NFL draft: Ranking Fernando Mendoza vs. recent first-round QBs. Drake Maye 4th.
• Matt Miller,et al (ESPN) 2026 NFL combine: Top draft prospects, best workouts, risers.
• Mel Kiper, Jr. (ESPN) 2026 NFL combine: Draft standouts, top workouts.
• Daniel Flick (SI) Combine risers and fallers: Intel on Offensive Linemen who stood out - Jeremiyah Love cements spot as Top RB - Sonny Styles steals the show - Lorenzo Styles Jr. follows in brother's footsteps.
• Frank Schwab (Yahoo! Sports) Combine winners and losers: Wake up, Jets! There's a shot with this reboot. And Texas Tech's David Bailey looks tremendous
• Bill Bender (Sporting News) NFL Combine winners, losers: Ty Simpson, Jeremiyah Love shine; Diego Pavia, Rueben Bain face more questions.
• Chad Reuter (NFL.com) NFL combine stock up/stock down, Day 4: Seven offensive linemen on the move.
• Mike Kadlick (SI) Who is Gennings Dunker? What to know about the Iowa OL who went viral at the NFL Combine. /I LOVE this guy's vibe.
• Nate Tice (Yahoo! Sports) NFL mock draft 6.0. Pats pick Texas A&M WR KC Concepcion at 31.
• Mike Kadlick (SI) Browns-Texans trade grades: C.J. Stroud loses another starting Offensive Lineman.