Patriots links 7/07/26: Summer spotlight on the DL

TEAM TALK

• Hype Video: A.J. Brown lands No. 80 on NFL’s Top 100 Players of 2026. (33 sec. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• NESN’s 2026 Patriots Training Camp Guide: Dates, location, public practices and preseason games.
• Mark Morse’s Patriots position breakdown, Defensive Line: Unpacking the roster, emerging talent, and training camp expectations.
• Ethan Hurwitz looks at ESPN’s ranking of 2026 starting rosters and while the Patriots were ranked 7th overall, he considers whether that ranking is too low.
• Andrew Buller-Russ relays an NFL analyst who suggests a lack of defensive playmakers could haunt the team in 2026.
• Hector Longo writes Mike Onwenu restructured his deal for $10M and is now anchoring the line. The Patriots need him healthy and motivated as he plays for 1 last big contract
• Hector Longo reports Will Campbell is working with Pro Bowl OTs; Vrabel says the growth is showing.
• Patriots On SI ranks the top 25 Patriots of 2026. No. 20: If healthy, Alijah Vera-Tucker will shine.
• Hector Longo points out A.J. Brown is the 1st Patriot on the NFL Top 100, and explains how his best football could still be ahead.
• Foxborough Fellas podcast: Matt Cabral joins the Fellas to break down the Patriots roster ahead of training camp: Position battles, roster locks, surprise cuts; More. (1 hour)
• Patriots Daily podcast: Taylor Kyles & Mike Kadlick discuss the Pats RB snub in latest position rankings. (30 min.)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Jeremy Bergman (NFL.com) AFC East training camp 2026 preview: Top storylines for Bills, Dolphins, Jets, Patriots.
• Matt Okada (NFL.com) Offseason grades for every AFC team. Patriots: B, Bills: B, Dolphins: C, Jets: A-. /Click for commentary.
• Matt Johnson (SportsNaut) Division rankings 2026: Worst and best divisions entering training camp. AFC East 7th.
• Jeremy Fowler (ESPN) Execs, coaches, scouts rank top NFL cornerbacks for 2026. No. 3 Christian Gonzalez. “… Gonzalez is the first Patriots corner to make a Pro Bowl since J.C. Jackson in 2021.”
• Matt Verderame (SI) Ranking the NFL’s five best safety duos for 2026. No Pats.
• Top 100 players of 2026 (NFL.com) 100-91, 90-81, Nos. 80-79: Travis Kelce, A.J. Brown each drop over 40 spots.
• Mike Kadlick (SI) Why Sean Payton almost stepped aside to let Bill Belichick coach the Broncos.
• Seth Wickersham (ESPN) Sean Payton’s second chance: Inside the Denver Broncos’ 2025 Super Bowl quest. /Good read about the Broncos’ planning to face the Patriots in the playoffs.
• Zachary Pereles (CBS Sports) 2024 NFL redraft: Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye at No. 1?
• Gilberto Manzano (SI) Super Bowl LXI road map: Steelers doubled down on team that didn’t have enough.
• Carter Bahns (CBS Sports) Expect fireworks in these NFL locker rooms: Five situations that could explode this summer. No Pats.
• Bryan DeArdo (CBS Sports) Playing matchmaker for remaining key NFL free agents: Several receivers still in search of new team. No Pats.