Welcome to first and 10, a roundup of all the (mostly) Patriots-related news you need to start your day. Grab your coffee and let’s get to it.
--Based on the "back to work" video the Patriots Monday (as well as talking to a few people and seeing a few pictures on the Patriots' Instagram account), we can tell you who we know for sure was in the building on Monday for the start of the offseason program: Julian Edelman, Duron Harmon, Patrick Chung, David Andrews, Nate Ebner, Malcolm Mitchell, Trey Flowers, Matthew Slater, Devin McCourty, Jason McCourty, Chris Hogan, Brian Hoyer, Kyle Van Noy, Dont'a Hightower, Rex Burkhead, Joe Thuney, James White, Derek Rivers, Marquis Flowers and Kenny Britt. If you're a glass-is-half-full type, the most encouraging signs are that Edelman, Hightower, Mitchell, Rivers and Ebner are all present and accounted for.
--Because we haven't done one in the last week or two, here's a quick mock draft roundup. Here’s who people have the Patriots taking if they stick at No. 23 and 31 at the end of the first round:
Mike Loyko, BSJ — Alabama LB Rashaan Evans and Georgia LB Lorenzo Carter
Mel Kiper, ESPN — UCLA OT Kolton Miller and UCF CB Mike Hughes
Todd McShay, ESPN — Notre Dame OT Mike McGlinchey and Alabama S Ronnie Harrison
Charley Casserly, NFL Media — UCLA OT Kolton Miller and Iowa CB Josh Jackson
Bucky Brooks, NFL Media — UCLA OT Kolton Miller and Boise State LB Leighton Vander Esch
Maurice Jones-Drew, NFL Media — UCF CB Mike Hughes and UCLA OT Kolton Miller
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports — UCLA OT Kolton Miller and Florida DT Taven Bryan
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports — Alabama S Minkah Fitzpatrick and UCLA OT Kolton Miller
Rob Rang, NFL Draft Scout — Notre Dame OT Mike McGlinchey and Iowa CB Josh Jackson
Two more quick notes: one, we're moving the weekly Patriots Q&A to Monday from now on, so we're going to skip this week and hit the reset button next Monday. And we'll talk to Slater on Tuesday afternoon.
Now, on to the links...
1. Tom Brady has missed Phase One of the offseason workout program before. In 2010, he mostly stayed away, spending his time on the West Coast. Here's what he said about it back then. While it's eight years later, some of the quotes still ring true in 2018.
2. Mike Loyko looks at some potential quarterback targets for the Patriots -- this is as expansive a breakdown as you're going to get when it comes to New England and the quarterback position in the draft. Excellent stuff.
3. Miguel has a deep dive into what sort of impact the rookie class will have on the Patriots' 2018 cap situation. Lots to digest here, but Miguel provides a ton of great info. You'll be a smarter football fan for having spent time on this story.
4. Greg talked with the guys from the Fourth & Two podcast from Patsfans.com about BSJ, the Patriots and what lies ahead.
5. Tom E. Curran says that the complexity of the Gronkowski situation reflects some bigger issues that are plaguing the Patriots.
6. Mike Reiss notes that while some of his high profile teammates weren't at the start of offseason workouts, Julian Edelman was there, and he took his first steps toward earning a sizable bonus.
7. Bill Belichick looked awfully happy celebrating his 66th birthday.
8. After squaring off in last year's Patriots-Dolphins game, new Miami teammates Danny Amendola and Bobby McCain are cool.
9. Our buddy Eric Edholm profiles Boston College defensive end Harold Landry as part of his Top 50 prospects countdown.
10. A day after reportedly hosting Kolton Miller and Ronald Jones, it looks like Christian Kirk is next in line.
It appears WR Christian Kirk will visit the #Patriots tomorrow pic.twitter.com/MMFIRPDrq1
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) April 17, 2018
RYAN WENDELL @Patriots
Congrats to former #Patriots OL Ryan Wendell who finished his first #BostonMarathon running for @joeandruzzifndn #WBZ #Boston2018 #BostonStrong pic.twitter.com/o9o6WyPIlV
— Scott Sullivan (@SullyBunz) April 16, 2018