Another Report Surfaces Citing Patriots’ Intended NFL Draft Plans
FOXBORO, Mass. — Smoke is now billowing in regards to what the New England Patriots will do in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero on Thursday night, about an hour before the draft was set to begin, was the latest to report on New England’s expectations. Those expectations, Pelissero said, are the Patriots will stick at No. 3 and select quarterback Drake Maye.
NBC Sports Boston’s Tom E. Curran offered what appeared to be informed speculation Thursday morning and said he expected the Patriots to draft Maye third overall. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer said much of the same Thursday morning when he was on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Zolak & Bertrand.”
Breer doubled down Thursday night and said New England is “almost certainly” staying at No. 3.
The Minnesota Vikings and Giants reportedly were trying to jump to third overall with New York expected to be interested in Maye.
As it currently stands, according to multiple reports, Maye seemingly will land with New England.
NFL Rumors: Patriots Targeting Star Wideout In Draft Night Trade
The New England Patriots could easily add a game-changing wide receiver to their offense through the NFL draft.
But the draft might present another avenue for the Patriots to acquire a top wideout before Thursday night is over.
According to NBC Sports Boston’s Tom E. Curran, the Patriots have been eyeing a trade with the San Francisco 49ers to land star pass-catcher Brandon Aiyuk. Aiyuk, who turned in back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons, is looking for a contract extension from San Francisco but might wind up getting traded instead.
“The Patriots have been working on an Aiyuk trade,” Curran reported as posted by Nick Cattles on the X platform. “There’s nothing solid on it yet, but when the 49ers get on the board at 31, if they take a WR, then we should spend our time Friday wondering if the Pats can execute the deal.”
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Receiver is one of the deepest positions in this year’s draft and taking one at the backend of the first round could be appealing to the 49ers, especially with that player being on a much more affordable rookie contract than the one Aiyuk wants.
But obtaining Aiyuk from the 49ers won’t be easy. There will be plenty of suitors after him and it will take a strong trade package to land him.
“The status of Brandon Aiyuk is very firmly up in the air for the San Francisco 49ers,” NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport said prior to the draft. “No doubt they’re going to have interest from teams potentially trading for Brandon Aiyuk. And we may actually find out tonight.
“The 49ers have been very clear internally, externally they would like a first-round pick for such a talented receiver. The reality is this has been the market. Hollywood Brown, A.J. Brown both were traded for one or more than one (first-round picks) during the draft. If the 49ers were going to do that, that would have to be the price.”
The Patriots don’t have another first-round pick after the third overall selection to offer the 49ers. But New England does possess the second pick in the second round at No. 34 overall. If the Patriots put that on table with other draft picks, perhaps it would be enough to acquire Aiyuk.
And then the Patriots would have a premier wide receiver for their next franchise quarterback to throw to, and all signs are pointing to Drake Maye being that for New England.
Patriots’ Jerod Mayo Sends Specific Message Before NFL Draft
The Patriots sure seem ready to make a selection with the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
It’s been a question over the last few months as to whether New England would be willing to move off the premium pick, but as time continues to tick toward the draft, the Patriots seem to be more and more comfortable standing pat.
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo, for instance, made it extremely clear while speaking to NFL Media’s Cameron Wolfe on Wednesday.
“I don’t want to get into a situation where we’re trading back three picks, just to get more picks, just because,” Mayo said, per Wolfe. “If we love a guy, we’re going to sit there and take them.”
Mayo couldn’t have been more specific if he wanted to be.
New England appears to be putting the ball in the New York Giants’ court, making it abundantly clear they’d have to give up the farm to move up from No. 6 to No. 3. The Patriots will remain open for business as long as it’s feasible, but at the end of the day, they’ll have just 10 minutes to make a final decision.
“We’d have a few minutes to decide if we want to take the bag, but it hasn’t come yet,” Mayo said. “… We’ve gone through every scenario. We have to get this right, especially at quarterback, but I have full confidence in Eliot Wolf to make that final decision.”
It’s about as big a decision you could task a first-year executive/head coach duo to make, but the Patriots sure seem like they’re confident in whatever they end up doing.
NFL Draft Rumors: Vikings Entering ‘Panic Mode’ As Trade Talks Stall
The Minnesota Vikings have felt like a team who have the assets to trade up in the 2024 NFL Draft. But Minnesota’s attempts to do so, some of which reportedly have included the New England Patriots, have not yet been successful.
The heat seems to be turning up on those in Minnesota.
“According to sources, the Vikings are starting to move into panic mode as their recent attempts to trade up for a quarterback have been rebuffed,” NFL draft analyst Tony Pauline reported Thursday ahead of the main event.
The Vikings have two first-round picks (Nos. 11 and 23) but do not have any picks Friday. Pauline noted how that’s played a role in talks, and mentioned how the Vikings will have to sweeten the offer with 2025 selections.
The Patriots, who hold the No. 3 pick, reportedly have received calls from both the Vikings and New York Giants. However, as it currently stands, New England is unlikely to bite on either of the trade proposals they’ve received and reportedly will draft quarterback Drake Maye third overall.
Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis Makes This Vow After Horrendous Game 2
Game 3 against the Miami Heat can not come quick enough for Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis.
Porzingis’ performance was problematic for the Celtics in Boston’s 111-101 loss to the Heat in Game 2 on Wednesday night at TD Garden.
The 7-foor-2 big man scored just six points on 1-for-9 shooting, including missing all four of his attempts from beyond the arc. He did collect eight rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks but was an atrocious minus-32 for the game.
“I didn’t have a good offensive game at all,” Porzingis told reporters following Celtics practice at the Auerbach Center on Thursday, per NBC Sports Boston.
Porzingis, who tallied 18 points in Game 1, is now looking to makeup for his horrendous showing. And after clearing his head, Porzingis promised that the Celtics would get a much better version of himself when he takes the floor for Game 3.
“I almost like to get away from basketball a little bit. Just rest,” Porzingis said. “I always do my same routine. Nothing changes for me. Good game, bad game, I stay the same. We just looked at the things — what we can do better. I looked at my possessions. I’ll make sure I’m better offensively 100%.”
The Celtics could sure use that from Porzingis with the best-of-seven first-round series with the Heat knotted up at 1-1 and Miami possessing plenty of confidence with the next two games coming on its home court.
Tipoff from Kaseya Center for Game 3 between the Celtics and Heat is scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m. ET.
Bruins’ Trent Frederic’s Game 3 Goal Was Eclipsed By His Teammate’s Battle
Bruins forward Trent Frederic has tallied two goals in three games in Boston’s Stanley Cup playoffs opening-round matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
His second tally came late in the second period of Boston’s 4-2 win on Wednesday night, but because Brad Marchand and Tyler Bertuzzi were exchanging pleasantries with their sticks, no one in Scotiabank Arena saw Frederic come off the bench, collect the puck and beat Toronto goaltender Ilya Samsonov on the short side to knot the game at one.
“It was really weird. I was trying to tell the guys we scored to remind them because I don’t think anyone really knew,” Frederic told reporters on Thursday, per team-provided video. “It was kind of a weird play. I’m glad it all unraveled like that.
“Normally, you get a reaction from your teammates and the crowd, but I don’t think anyone was watching so it was kind of funny.”
It wasn’t the first time Frederic had a quiet goal like the one Wednesday. The first time he scored for the Bruins was during the 2020-21 season, which played without fans due to the COVID pandemic.
“My first NHL goal was in Lake Tahoe, so we didn’t have fans,” Frederic recalled. “It was kind if similar to that. I was like, that went in but nobody reacted. Pretty similar.”
Chances are Marchand and Bertuzzi will continue to battle on the ice for the remainder of the Bruins-Maple Leafs series, but hopefully, it won’t outshine more Bruins goals like Frederic’s.
The Bruins hold the 2-1 series lead in the best-of-seven matchup, with Game 4 from Toronto on Saturday night. Puck drop from Scotiabank Arena is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. NESN has you covered with all the action starting with a half-hour pregame show.
NFL Draft Rumors: This Team Targeting Top-10 Pick
All eyes in New England are on Eliot Wolf’s use of the Patriots’ third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but an NFC team is trying to work out a deal to get into the top 10.
The Los Angeles Rams have the 19th overall pick in the draft, but according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini they are making phone calls to work out a trade to try to get into the top 10.
The Rams, who haven’t been picked in the first round since 2016, are pursuing the trade with a “specific player” in mind that isn’t a quarterback, according to Russini.
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Los Angeles has 11 overall picks in this year’s draft, which is tied for the most of any team, so they have plenty of bargaining chips to make the potential trade.
With defensive tackle Aaron Donald’s retirement, the Rams could look at Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year Byron Murphy II to help fill the void. Los Angeles could also go the offensive route and try to nab Georgia tight end Brock Bowers.
Even though Wolf said the Patriots are “open for business” in the first round, making a trade with the Rams for more picks probably won’t move New England closer to its goal if they don’t get a new franchise quarterback.
Could 49ers’ Draft Rumor Help Patriots Land Stud Receiver?
The 49ers have plenty of capital to potentially move up in the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday, and it appears San Francisco is floating that capital to see if someone will bite.
Is it possible that someone is Patriots executive Eliot Wolf?
San Francisco, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, has “had conversations with teams, including with one picking in the top 10, about trading either of their prized wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel in an effort to move up in the first round.”
New England, as many of you know, needs a top-flight wide receiver and currently holds the No. 3 pick. Is it possible the Patriots would move back and ensure themselves a dynamic playmaker?
No, probably not.
The Patriots’ needs run much deeper than wideout, and moving all the way back to the bottom-half of the first round will make it much harder to address them than if they stand pat. New England has a shot at drafting Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels, taking care of its biggest need with plenty of ammo to grab a wide receiver and/or tackle later in the draft.
Samuel and Aiyuk are tremendous players, but each will come with a hefty price tag for whoever pulls the trigger on that proposed deal. The Chicago Bears (No. 9) and Los Angeles Chargers (No. 5) feel like more likely options, though it’s still a long-shot someone bites.
Kendrick Bourne probably isn’t getting his wish, folks.
Red Sox Notes: One ‘Bad’ Inning Spoils Chase Anderson’s Spot Start
The Boston Red Sox hoped to get out of Chase Anderson in a spot start on Thursday what they got out of Cooper Criswell the day prior.
It could have been that way for the Red Sox if it weren’t for one pitch Anderson threw to Cleveland Guardians star third baseman José Ramírez.
The veteran right-hander was locked in a lengthy battle with the five-time All-Star with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the second inning. Ramírez fouled off four straight cutters until he got what he was looking for on the 10th pitch of the at-bat.
Anderson left another cutter over the heart of the plate and Ramírez crushed it for a grand slam. It was the difference in Anderson’s outing and in a 6-4 loss for the Red Sox at Progressive Field.
“It was a good battle,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters as seen on NESN postgame coverage. “He kept fouling off cutters and cutters until he got one he was able to handle. It’s tough in a sense. You’re trying to get 27 outs understanding where you’re at, and you’re one pitch from getting out of the inning and maybe give us three more outs but it didn’t happen.”
Anderson was forced into his first starting appearance of the season with Boston’s rotation depleted due to injuries. He had shown well over six relief appearances (13 innings), allowing four runs on 10 hits with eight strikeouts and one walk.
But Anderson uncharacteristically struggled with his control against the Guardians, which compounded issues in the second inning. Anderson hit a batter and walked two prior to letting up the monumental homer to Ramírez.
“He’s been very efficient. He’s been pounding the strike zone,” Cora said. “Just one bad inning there.”
Ramírez was the final batter Anderson faced. He ended up pitching just 1 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on three hits with three walks and no strikeouts.
It was somewhat the opposite of Criswell’s performance. But that’s the challenge when relying on spot starters to fill gaps in the rotation.
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Here are more notes from Thursday’s Red Sox-Guardians game:
— The Red Sox finished off their road trip with a 4-2 record and are now 11-5 on the season away from Fenway Park.
“We lost the series, but we played well,” Cora said. “It was a good road trip. So, now we got to go home and figure that out.”
— Rafael Devers looked more like himself the last two games after missing five consecutive contests due to a knee injury. The Red Sox star went 6-for-8 with a home run against the Guardians.
“I know we talk about the knee, but I think the shoulder is where it’s supposed to be,” Cora said. “You got to be patient with those guys. You have to because at the end when they’re healthy or close to 100%, that’s what they do.”
— Cora went with an unusual infield alignment after Masataka Yoshida, who started the game on the bench for a fourth consecutive contest, and Enmanuel Valdez pinch hit for Pablo Reyes and Bobby Dalbec, respectively, in the top of the fifth.
In the bottom half of the frame, Cora had Connor Wong playing first base in place of Dalbec while Valdez took over at second, David Hamilton played shortstop and Ceddanne Rafaela spotted up at third.
— It was far from a clean performance behind the plate for Red Sox catcher Reese McGuire. McGuire committed two errors and the Guardians were successful in four out of their five stolen base attempts.
— The Red Sox return home to Fenway Park, where they host the Chicago Cubs on Friday for the first time in seven years. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET, and you can watch the game, plus 90 minutes of pregame coverage, on NESN.
Potential Patriots Target Drake Maye Rocks Slick Suit To NFL Draft
Drake Maye wore a suit that offered a nod to his past as opposed to one that predicts his future.
The top quarterback prospect, who is viewed as the favorite to be selected by the New England Patriots at No. 3 in the 2024 NFL Draft, is rocking a Carolina blue suit and tie with a pair of North Carolina-themed Jordan 1s.
Check it out:
Maye played it safe rather than showing up to Hart Plaza in Detroit in either navy blue, the color of the Patriots, or royal blue, the color of the New York Giants. The Giants reportedly have showed interest in trading up the board in pursuit of Maye, as well.
However, the Patriots reportedly haven’t made it easy. New England reportedly has its sights set on drafting Maye third overall unless Eliot Wolf and company are blown away by a trade offer. But countless tied-in reporters believe the end result will be Maye in New England.
Maye’s suit surely wouldn’t clash with a bit of navy.
Red Sox Wrap: Boston’s Rally Falls Short In Loss To Guardians
The Boston Red Sox couldn’t complete a rally after being down five runs and fell to the Cleveland Guardians, 6-4, at Progressive Field on Thursday afternoon.
The Red Sox dropped to 14-12 with the loss in the rubber match of the three-game series while the Guardians improved to an American League-best 18-7.
Check out the full box score here.
ONE BIG TAKEAWAY
The outcome for the Red Sox could have been much different if it weren’t for one swing from Guardians third baseman José Ramírez.
But even after Ramírez put Cleveland ahead, 5-0, in the second inning, the Red Sox showed plenty of fight to battle back. They answered right away with two runs in the top of the third and scored twice more in the sixth to pull within a run.
But Boston couldn’t get over the hump despite plenty of chances. The Red Sox left eight men on base and went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
It would have been a galvanizing win for the Red Sox, given the opponent and the state of their injury-riddled roster. But instead, Boston was left with what could have been.
STARS OF THE GAME
— Ramírez delivered the biggest blow to the Red Sox with a second-inning grand slam with two outs. The massive homer from Ramírez came on the 10th pitch of his at-bat against Red Sox righty Chase Anderson. The Guardians star finished 3-for-4 with four RBIs to go along with a stolen base.
— Rafael Devers kept swinging a hot bat after returning Wednesday following a five-game absence due to a knee injury. Devers had his second straight three-hit performance to push his batting average up to .263.
— Rob Refsnyder has at least one hit in five out of his last six games since coming off the injured list. The veteran outfielder went 2-for-4 against the Guardians with an RBI triple.
ON DECK AT NESN
The Red Sox return home to Fenway Park, where they host the Chicago Cubs on Friday for the first time in seven years. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET, and you can watch the game, plus 90 minutes of pregame coverage, on NESN.
NFL Insider Would View This Patriots Draft Outcome As ‘Shocking’
Multiple insiders agree about what the Patriots will do with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but this outcome would be seen as “shocking” by one ESPN analyst.
New England is “open for business” for the No. 3 pick, but it reportedly would take a monumental offer for the Patriots to do anything but take a quarterback with the selection. De facto general manager Eliot Wolf and his staff will field calls, but the “signs point” to them taking a QB, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler this week. That also might not be the only offensive move the franchise makes.
“Should New England select a quarterback at No. 3, don’t be surprised if it seriously considers a wide receiver at No. 34, assuming the options it likes are available,” Fowler wrote. “The Pats could swing a trade for a wide receiver, but it would be shocking if they didn’t come out of the draft with a pass-catcher somewhere relatively high.”
ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported Thursday the Patriots could package their Day 2 picks to move back into the first round after picking a QB at No. 3. Peter Schrager supported that notion in his final mock draft when he had New England trading up to No. 32 to take Xavier Legette.
It could be a busy night for the Patriots, but perhaps not in the way fans think following multiple rumors heading into Thursday night.
NFL Draft Live Stream: Watch 2024 First Round Online, On TV
The NFL will welcome 32 new players into the league Thursday evening in Detroit.
The stage is set for the 2024 NFL Draft. The Chicago Bears own the No. 1 overall pick and are widely expected to select quarterback Caleb Williams. But after the USC product hears his name called, the fireworks could start in Motor City.
Only the first of seven rounds will be completed Thursday night. Teams are allotted 10 minutes per selection, and extra deliberation might be needed considering how deep this year’s class is at premium positions.
Here’s how you can watch the first round of the 2024 draft:
When: Thursday, April 25 at 8 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN, ABC, NFL Network
Live Streams: FuboTV — free trial | WatchESPN
How Patriots’ Eliot Wolf ‘Amazed’ Super Bowl-Winning NFL GM
Eliot Wolf might not officially have the title of New England Patriots general manager, but he’s impressed those around the league who have been in the same role as him for some time.
It was almost two decades ago when Wolf caught the eye of longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht, who worked in the Philadelphia Eagles’ front office at the time.
Licht recalled to the Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan of Wolf coming to Philadelphia for an interview for a scouting job in 2004. Licht drove Wolf around and tested Wolf’s knowledge of NFL rosters. Wolf recited facts and details about all sorts of players with ease, and that clearly left a mark on Licht.
“I was amazed by his memory,” Licht told Callahan. “Almost photographic.”
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Wolf ended up not joining the Eagles. Instead, he took a job as a pro personnel assistant with the Green Bay Packers and worked his way up the front office ladder.
After a two-year stint with the Cleveland Browns, Wolf made his way to the Patriots in 2020. He became New England’s director of scouting in 2022 and it’s a title he still holds today.
But it’s clear that Wolf is acting as the de facto general manager of the Patriots, an incredibly important role with New England going through a rebuild following a dreadful 4-13 season. He will have final say Thursday night when the Patriots are on the clock at No. 3 overall in the NFL draft with a franchise-altering decision to make.
Wolf worked his way into that position, and it’s a role that Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst, who worked alongside Wolf in Green Bay, believes his former colleague can thrive in.
“I think he’s gonna do fantastic things, just because of how tremendous he is at what he does,” Gutekunst told Callahan.
Why Red Sox Did Not Stick To Masataka Yoshida Return Plan
Alex Cora on Wednesday didn’t take kindly to curiosity about Masataka Yoshida’s recent absences. The Red Sox manager also stressed the second-year big leaguer would be back in Boston’s starting lineup Thursday.
That proved not to be the case, however.
Boston opened its series finale in Cleveland with Yoshida on the bench for the fourth consecutive contest. But as Cora revealed to the media before first pitch at Progressive Field, the lineup decision had nothing to do with Yoshida himself.
Rafael Devers, who returned from a knee injury Wednesday night, was supposed to start at third base for the Red Sox on Thursday afternoon, per MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. But when Devers was deemed not well enough to play the field, Cora decided to slot the superstar slugger into the DH spot. Yoshida, who Boston clearly is hesitant about sticking in the outfield, was the odd man out.
The 30-year-old has not started a game for the Red Sox since last Saturday’s win in Pittsburgh. Yoshida also has struggled a bit in limited playing time thus far, batting .250 with two home runs and 10 RBIs across 72 at-bats to date.
Boston on Friday will return to Fenway Park, where it’s set to host the Chicago Cubs for a three-game weekend series.
Does Jeremy Swayman Give Bruins Advantage Over Maple Leafs?
Jeremy Swayman arguably has been one of the Bruins’ best players in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, and it’s something the Maple Leafs might have caught on to.
Boston on Wednesday took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series after beating Toronto, 4-2, at Scotiabank Arena. Brad Marchand set the tone for the Black and Gold in the third period, but the team also is in a great spot thanks to the highlight saves Swayman made in the series.
Head coach Jim Montgomery was tight-lipped about the Bruins’ goalie plans before the first three games of the series. Boston appears to be rotating the goalies the same way it did through most of the regular season, but Swayman continues to make his case to start consecutive games.
“The rotation’s been so good for us,” Montgomery told reporters, per team-provided video. “It’s a hard decision.”
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Swayman made 63 combined saves in two games against the Maple Leafs in the postseason, and the 25-year-old is 4-0 against Toronto in the past two seasons. Frustration appeared to boil over for the Leafs when Max Domi skated into Swayman during a TV timeout in the second period of Game 3. The Bruins goalie had a lighthearted reaction to the interaction, but there might be more to it.
“Sometimes I don’t think that, but when Domi goes off the bench and bumps him on purpose, makes me think maybe he’s in their head a little bit,” Montgomery said.
If Swayman does have Toronto’s number, it could play a factor in Montgomery’s decision regarding who starts in Game 4 on Saturday. It’s something the coaching staff will mull over as the Bruins hope to take a 3-1 series lead before they return to Boston.
Why Red Sox See ‘Totally Different’ Marcelo Mayer This Season
Last season didn’t go the way top Boston Red Sox prospect Marcelo Mayer envisioned, especially when he was promoted to Double-A Portland.
Mayer hit just .189 in 43 games with the Sea Dogs and had his season come to a premature end in early August due to a shoulder injury.
That provided the 21-year-old shortstop with plenty of motivation this year and he’s returned with a vengeance for Portland. Mayer’s early-season results have been spectacular with the left-handed hitter batting .317 with two home runs and eight RBIs to go along with two stolen bases.
“The biggest thing is the look in his face,” Portland manager Chad Epperson told The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier. “He’s not worried about the injury. He’s showing up every day and he’s healthy, bouncing around, a smile on his face, and obviously off to a good start. You can tell the difference from last year.
“He wanted to barrel balls and have the bat path, but he just couldn’t because of the shoulder. This is a totally different Marcelo than I personally saw, and I can see where this organization is very, very high on him.”
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Mayer set the tone for himself when he altered his appearance during the middle of spring training. Mayer shaved off his trademark locks for a buzz cut look. The haircut was metaphoric in a sense.
“It’s all business now,” Mayer told Speier. “I’m (expletive) ready to go, ready to ball out, play hard. For my standard, it was a bad year for me. I was hurt, didn’t play the way I wanted to. So this year, it’s a fresh start and I’m ready to just get out there and compete.”
Mayer certainly has been all business in the batter’s box, as the Hartford Yard Goats found out Tuesday night. Mayer reached base four times, going 3-for-4 with a no-doubt solo blast to right field.
Red Sox farm director Brian Abraham sees what Epperson does in Mayer this season. The No. 14 prospect in all of baseball by MLB Pipeline is not only rejuvenated but looking to make a point, too.
“It can be hard to say this for a prospect that is ranked so highly, but I think he has a bit of a chip on his shoulder,” Abraham told Speier. “He wants to prove some people wrong, whether that be to show that he’s the best within the Red Sox organization and to show that he’s better than some of the other shortstops that have made their debuts or (are) toward the top of the top.”
NFL Rumor: Patriots Will Draft Drake Maye Unless This Happens
Patriots decision-makers apparently won’t need to deliberate much when they go on the clock Thursday night in Detroit.
New England is “expected” to take Drake Maye with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, per NBC Sports Boston’s Tom E. Curran. The Patriots entered the offseason with a glaring need at quarterback, and Maye long has been viewed as one of the very best at the position in this year’s class.
Of course, Maye to the Patriots wasn’t a done deal at the time of Curran’s report. The longtime team insider left the door open for a change of plans, specifically the possibility of New England receiving a trade offer for the No. 3 pick that “they just can’t refuse.” Curran mentioned the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Giants as potential suitors for the coveted selection.
A “Godfather” offer might not be the only thing that prevents Maye from landing in Foxboro, Mass., though. The Washington Commanders could shock the NFL community by taking the North Carolina product at No. 2. In that scenario, the Patriots reportedly would consider starting a “bidding war” for the third overall pick and then turn its focus to J.J. McCarthy.
All of that said, New England reportedly hasn’t received any serious offers for the No. 3 pick and the Commanders appear to be pretty set on selecting Jayden Daniels after the Chicago Bears grab Caleb Williams. So, eager Patriots fans might want to start working on their custom Maye jerseys.
What Jim Montgomery, Bruins Took Away From Game 3 Win
The Bruins needed to make a statement following a letdown in Game 2 at TD Garden, and captain Brad Marchand delivered for Boston to put it up 2-1. However, the B’s know not to take anything for granted.
Marchand scored the go-ahead goal after the Toronto Maple Leafs tied up Game 3 at two apiece. The Bruins captain helped set the tone in the third period to give the Black and Gold the one-game advantage in the best-of-seven first-round playoff series.
You would think the Bruins were riding high on the momentum a day after stealing home ice, but head coach Jim Montgomery told reporters Thursday that he’s not a big believer in the concept. He noted Toronto should have had the momentum after its third period in Game 2, but the advantage was not clearly shown.
NESN host and sideline reporter Adam Pellerin told NESN.com that the theme of “gratitude” is clear across the Bruins lineup. Players understand the position they are in and how huge the Original Six rivalry is. The feeling of being up 2-1 in the series obviously is great, but the players understand anything can happen in the playoffs. William Nylander reportedly could return in Game 4 on Saturday, so Boston will need to be ready for any obstacle in its path.
That feeling of “gratitude” was expressed by James van Riemsdyk before Game 3 on Wednesday. The veteran forward was a healthy scratch in the first two games of the series, but van Riemsdyk knew the team had to come first and understood you always have to be ready to step up when the postseason comes around.
The Bruins will continue their “stay-in-the-moment” attitude with two days of rest between Games 3 and 4. A win Saturday at Scotiabank Arena for Boston means it would command a 3-1 series lead with a chance to close out the first-round matchup at TD Garden.
Patriots Reportedly In ‘Active Extension Talks’ With Rising Star Defender
The New England Patriots likely will address their biggest offensive needs through the NFL draft, which commences Thursday night.
But the Patriots haven’t taken their eyes off fortifying their defense either.
ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported Thursday morning that the Patriots are in “active extension talks” with defensive tackle Christian Barmore. Barmore, who New England drafted in the second round in 2021, is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
After showing potential in his first two seasons with the Patriots, Barmore emerged as a game-changing defensive lineman in 2023. He totaled 64 tackles and a career-high 8.5 sacks, which was four more than the next closest Patriot.
Barmore also suited up in all 17 games for New England last season and played 66% of the team’s defensive snaps.
He’s turned into a cornerstone piece on New England’s defensive line, one that has steady parts in Deatrich Wise Jr. and Davon Godchaux, but not another game wrecker like Barmore.
The Patriots see that, too, as he could join a handful of his teammates who re-signed with New England this offseason.
“One thing with Barmore — he’s one of those players that’s developed here,” Jerod Mayo told reporters last month at the NFL annual meeting. “There were some questions coming out of college, obviously, his potential. He’s done a fantastic job growing up. I think (defensive coordinator) DeMarcus (Covington) and (director of skill development) Joe Kim have done a great job really helping develop him. Once again, it goes back to — we want to keep our own. We want to keep our own players. We have had talks with Barmore and, hopefully, it works out.”