TEAM TALK
- Evan Lazar’s roster projection: A way-too-early 53-man roster projection for the Patriots.
- Evan Lazar points out how several Patriots ties led fifth-round pick Atonio Mafi to New England. The Patriots fifth-round selection was a Shrine Bowl standout after starting for multiple seasons on UCLA’s offensive line. Mafi first caught Matt Groh’s scouting eye four years ago.
- Mike Dussault writes, “The Patriots are no strangers to taking a chance on a hard-hitting small-school defensive prospect and 2023 third-rounder Marte Mapu is the latest, an ideal fit as a new-age hybrid defender who combines length, speed and smarts to further blur the lines between a defensive back and linebacker.