FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Quick-hit thoughts/notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:
1. First-year players: The Patriots haven't played a regular-season game, but the early outlook on the team's 2021 draft class is promising.
"They've been up and down with draft picks over the years, and this might be the best class they've ever had," ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said.
McShay had projected quarterback Mac Jones to be the Patriots' pick at No. 15 in his final mock draft. Jones has already earned the starting job, perhaps sooner than even coach Bill Belichick anticipated.