Patriots sign four former first-rounders in year they don't have first-round pick

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Is it simply a coincidence, or perhaps a message to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell?

That was a question asked on Twitter after it was pointed out that the New England Patriots, who had their first-round draft choice stripped by the NFL as part of the Deflategate punishment, have acquired or reached contract agreements with four players who entered the NFL as first-round picks:

• Defensive end Chris Long (No. 2 overall, 2008)

• Running back Donald Brown (No. 27 overall, 2009)

• Linebacker Shea McClellin (No.