Patriots links 7/17/26: Summer spotlight on LB, D-Line

TEAM TALK

• Mike Dussault’s Patriots Position Snapshot: Linebackers. Roster, analysis. Bottom Line: “Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss lead the way. Both are smart and speedy and make the defense go. If they stay healthy, they should rack up tackles and plays.”
• Training Camp Preview: Linebackers. Mike Dussault, Evan Lazar and Paul Perillo break it all down. (6 min.)
• Patriots Unfiltered: Positional snapshot – DL, Training camp preview, offseason topics. (2 hours)

LOCAL LINKS

• Khari Thompson’s Patriots 2026 position preview: Defensive Line edition. Milton Williams was dominant. Christian Barmore showed upside. Is there enough depth behind them without Khyiris Tonga?
• Stephen Sheehan notes Christian Barmore is already raving about the Patriots’ newest defensive group.
• Arnav Sharna helps us understand LB Harold Landry’s medical situation: What can the Patriots expect?
• Michael Hurley identifies eight Patriots facing the most pressure ahead of training camp, and why. From Gabe Jacas to Mike Vrabel.
• Hector Longo talks up six Patriots rookies who could follow last year’s instant-impact blueprint.
• Patriots On SI ranks the top 25 Patriots of 2026. No. 9 Can Christian Barmore return to form?
• Hector Longo writes how ESPN snubbed Kevin Byard in its latest safeties rankings. Byard is the veteran pickup New England is counting on to steady a thin secondary.
• Meghan Ottolini ranks every Patriots game from hardest (Seahawks) to easiest (Jets).
• Jerry Thornton says someone finally gets it right by ranking Drake Maye as the No. 1 player in the NFL to build a franchise around.
• Ethan Hurwitz reports Drake Maye has been having fun, hosting youth football camps in the final week before training camp.
• Sara Marshall points at the Jets making another regrettable QB decision that the Patriots can laugh about.
• Patriots Daily podcast: Taylor Kyles and Mike Kadlick break down the top defensive storylines for the Patriots heading into camp. (13 min.)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Kevin Patra (NFL.com) Patriots’ Drake Maye already building chemistry with ‘great teammate’ A.J. Brown.
• Matt Okada (NFL.com) Biggest remaining roster issue for every AFC team. Patriots: Edge rusher. “…this hole could haunt the Pats late into the season.”
• Matt Verderame (SI) 2026 Preseason QB rankings. No. 6 Drake Maye.
• Colin Cowherd (FOX Sports) Top 10 NFL QBs. No. 10 Drake Maye.
• Eva Geitheim, et al (SI) Ranking the NFL’s best WR2s for 2026. No. 10 Romeo Doubs.
• Nick Brinkerhoff (USA Today) The offseason move each team got exactly right in 2026. Patriots: Trading for A.J. Brown.
• Nick Brinkerhoff (USA Today) 13 players that could shake up the trade deadline in 2026. WR Kayshon Boutte included.
• Nate Davis (USA Today) First to worst in the NFL: Ranking 2025 division winners by peril. No. 1 Patriots. /Click for commentary.
• Jacob Camenker (CBS Sports) Predicting 4 teams that could emerge as dark horse contenders in 2026.
• Highlights (ESPN) Drake Maye speaks on his training camp for kids. (25 sec. video) -...