Patriots links 3/05/26: Pats dig hole at WR: How do they fill it?

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Dec 1, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams (18) warms up prior to the game against the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | Eric Canha-Imagn Images

TEAM TALK

• Evan Lazar’s 2026 free agent forecast: Interior Defensive Line – Tight end/Fullback.
• Patriots updated Mock Draft Tracker.
• Patriots Catch-22: 3 up/down at NFL Combine, Free agency preview. (2 hours)

LOCAL LINKS

• Karen Guregian says the Stefon Diggs gamble paid off, but now the team needs to deliver on Plan B.
• Ian Logue unpacks the financial, performance, and off-field reasons behind Diggs’ release.
• Lauren Campbell tells us what they’re saying nationally about the Pats’ decision to release Stefon Diggs.
• Phil Perry talks about the Patriots’ options at receiver to replace Stefon Diggs.
• Mark Daniels looks at how much cap space the Patriots have after releasing Stefon Diggs.
• Mark Daniels thumbnails 5 free agent receivers to target after the release of Stefon Diggs.
• Mike D’Abate reports the Patriots declined the RFA tender for young CB Alex Austin.
• Mike D’Abate ranks the most realistic free agent options for New England.
• Cole Shelton hears the Pats are predicted to sign impact receiver Alec Pierce to $104M deal in bold move, according to The Athletic’s Chad Graff.
• Alex Barth notes the Patriots check the biggest box on Alec Pierce’s free agent wish list: Quarterback play.
• Meredith Perri points to WR Darnell Mooney who is set to hit free agency just as Pats are in need of one.
• Cole Shelton relays Chad Graff on how the Pats are predicted to sign edge rusher Boye Mafe to $76M deal.
• Evan Cormier explains why New England having 11 picks in this year’s draft might actually be a bad thing.
• Mark Morse clears out the post-Combine Patriots Notebook: Record-breaking athletes, deep draft class & Patriots trade rumors; More.
• Phil Perry’s Mock Draft 2.0: Patriots swing two trades while addressing key needs.
• Caleb Skinner pics through the Patriots’ best (and worst) free agent signings in the last decade.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Mike Reiss, Jeremy Fowler, Jordan Reid (ESPN) What’s next for the Patriots and Stefon Diggs after release. ‘New England wants to focus on internal development, also figure to explore trade possibilities.‘
• Mike Kadlick, et al (SI) Free agency guide for all 32 teams: Needs, fits and each club’s path to success. Patriots Position needs: WR, OL, DL, S; More. /click for commentary.
• Gilberto Manzano (SI) One free agent every NFL team should sign. Patriots: WR Alec Pierce.
• Gilberto Manzano (SI) Every NFL team’s hits and misses from free agency in 2025.
• Jeremy Bergman (NFL.com) Biggest needs for each AFC team in free agency. Patriots: WR, Edge, OL.
• Zachary Pereles (CBS Sports) Ranking the free agents who could define free agency: Quarterbacks – Wide receivers – Running backs – Tight ends.
• Joel Corry (CBS Sports) Agent’s Take: Asking prices for 10 intriguing offensive players ahead of free agency
• Tom Pelissero (NFL.com) Ten free agents who could land surprisingly big contracts during 2026 offseason
• Nick Shook (NFL.com) Chiefs expected to trade CB Trent McDuffie to Rams for multiple draft picks, including 2026 first-rounder.
• Lance Zierlein (NFL.com) 2026 NFL mock draft 2.1. Pats pick Texas A&M WR KC Concepcion at 31.

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