Welcome to first and 10, a roundup of all the (mostly) Patriots-related news you need to start your day:
Good morning! With the clock continuing to tick down to the NFL draft, we wanted to hit the reset button and get people caught up to date on a couple of things. First, a reminder where the Patriots are picking, as of right now:
First round (No. 23 and No. 31), Second round (No. 43 and No. 63), Third round (No. 95), Sixth round (No. 198, No. 210), Seventh round (No. 219).
Second, here's a look at the players who were taken at each of those spots over the last five years to give you some sense of who might be available.
No. 23: TE Evan Engram (NYG), WR Laquon Treadwell (MIN), DE Shane Ray (DEN), LB Dee Ford (KC), DT Sharrif Floyd (MIN).
No. 31: LB Reuben Foster (SF), G Germain Ifedi (SEA), ILB Stephone Anthony (NO), DB Bradley Roby (DEN), C Travis Frederick (DAL).
No. 43: CB Sidney Jones (PHI), NT Austin Johnson (TEN), ILB Bernardrick McKinney (HOU), OL Weston Richburg (NYG), DB Johnathan Banks (TB).
No. 63: G Dion Dawkins (BUF), DT Adam Gotsis (DEN), DE Frank Clark (SEA), WR Jarvis Landry (LSU), TE Travis Kelce (KC).
No. 95: SS Delano Hill (SEA), C Graham Glasgow (DET), RB Matt Jones (WAS), OL Michael Schofield (DEN), DE Sam Montgomery (HOU).
No. 198: DT D.J. Jones (SF), FB Derek Watt (SD), TE Randall Telfer (CLE), DE Zach Moore (NE), DT Chris Jones (HOU).
No. 210: T Justin Senior (SEA), LS Jimmy Landes (DET), DE Christian Ringo (GB), DT IK Enempali (NYJ), DB Demetrius McCray (JAX).
No. 219: WR Stacey Coley (MIN), S Will Parks (DEN), ILB Hayes Pullard (CLE), DB T.J. Carrie (OAK), TE D.C. Jefferson (ARI).
Now, on to the links:
1. My weekend notebook looks at a bunch of different things, including how the next three weeks are going to reveal a lot about the 2018 team, a reset of some of Bill Belichick's favorite trade partners, a look at two of the big questions about the offensive line this offseason, and where you can get some really unique mementos from Super Bowl LII. Check it all out here.
2. Greg had an epic Q&A over the weekend that tackled a bunch of different topics. So much good stuff in there -- well worth your time.
3. Miguel provided the answer to a really important question that's popped up as the team-building process kicks into high gear -- which members of the roster currently have practice squad eligibility?
4. Miguel also had a look at the recent run of moves and how they've impacted the Patriots' salary cap situation.
5. On Friday, I wrote this piece on the Patriots and what they might do with all their draft capital. Judging by the numbers -- and level of conversation in the comments -- you guys enjoyed it. Liked putting it together. Had what I think is some good information, and some plausible draft weekend scenarios for New England.
6. Jordan Matthews seems fired up about joining the Patriots. Looked this up -- he had a touchdown in that weird loss to the Eagles back in 2015 at Gillette Stadium.
7. Matt Patricia will address his team for the first time as head coach when Lions report for start of offseason workouts on Monday. It’s a first message he admits he’s thought a lot about. Lions, Colts, Giants, Raiders and Titans all start their offseason programs Monday.
8. In his Sunday notebook, Mike Reiss wonders if Bret Bielema's new association with the Patriots and his SEC background will have an impact on the direction New England takes in this year's draft.
9. Tom E. Curran bottom lines it when it comes to this year's draft: "The Patriots need players. Plural. Trading up to get one alleged plum pick -- especially one who’ll be watching for a spell -- isn’t the way to go."
10. This is a really great read on former Patriots running back Tyler Gaffney, who is now trying to make it in baseball as an outfielder -- he's currently with the Pirates' team in the Florida State League.
Extra Point:
Like all Patriots signings, Jordan Matthews will either be such a bargain that we can’t believe the Patriots got him for so cheap OR he won’t make the team.
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) April 6, 2018