NFL free agency is well under way and the New England Patriots have been one of the more active teams. They made several moves in the first week and aren't done yet. And even though they don't have a first or second round pick, they are also preparing for the draft. Here are the latest Patriots news and rumors you need to know.
Patriots potentially interested in acquiring Marshawn Lynch?
The Raiders' interest in Marshawn Lynch has re-ignited the potential for the retired running back to return to the NFL. The Seahawks have said that they're open to listening to trade offers for Lynch (they still own his rights), and if Lynch does want to return, the Patriots may be interested in dealing for him, according to Drew Boylhart of The Huddle Report.
If #Seahawks Marshawn Lynch decides to un- retire he'll count $9 mill against remaining $14.7 mill cap space.This could force a trade. #NFL
— Drew Boylhart (@DrewBoylhart) March 18, 2017
People missing the boat with #Seahawks Lynch possible trade if comes out of retirement, makes me think #Patriots might be interested? #NFL
— Drew Boylhart (@DrewBoylhart) March 18, 2017
In his final season in 2015, Lynch rushed for 417 yards and three touchdowns on 111 carries.
New England preparing for draft as normal
Despite not having a pick in the first two rounds, ESPN's Mike Reiss reports that the Patriots are still preparing for the draft as they normally would.
Even though the Patriots currently don't pick until No. 72, early in the third round, they will still go through their normal process of scouting every player and building a complete draft board. This is something that director of player personnel Nick Caserio and Bill Belichick touch on often around this time of year, and what they generally say is that they never know when they might swing a trade and the picture changes in an instant.
They wouldn't want to enter the draft with incomplete information, or not go through their regular meeting process with prospects, and then have an unexpected opportunity present itself and not be able to capitalize. Also, the information they gather at this time can help in the decision-making process in the future with 2017 rookies who become free agents or become available in trades.
New England traded their second round pick to the Panthers to acquire Kony Ealy, then sent their first round pick to the Saints for Brandin Cooks.
Jimmy Garoppolo latest, trade coming?
The Browns were heavily linked to quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo early in the offseason, but any talks about a trade seemingly died when the Patriots publicly said they weren't willing to trade him. However, Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman says many around the league believe the trade will eventually happen.
Teams still believe the Patriots will trade highly coveted backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, and they believe the destination likely will be Cleveland. The possibility diminishes with each passing day, but team officials with whom I spoke still think it will happen.
I've been able to confirm that the Patriots want two first-rounders from the Browns for Garoppolo, as Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com first reported. The Browns would be stupid to do that (insert Browns joke here).
Most around the league, however, think New England's asking price will come down and there remains a solid chance of a trade happening. We'll see.
Garoppolo passed for 496 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions in two starts this season.
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