NFL

Esteemed beat writer Mike Reiss believes the Pats may restock at receiver with a "double-layered plan between free agency and the draft." The Pats harvested free agent wideouts last offseason, but still ended up shorthanded, giving an unfortunate amount of snaps to vanishing veteran Deion Branch. The Pats have never used a first-round pick on a receiver during the Bill Belichick era, but Tennessee's Cordarrelle Patterson could be a target if Belichick decides to break his April mold. An ideally sized 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, Patterson boasts exceptional speed and hands to go along with his NFL-ready frame. However, it's unlikely Patterson is still available when the Patriots select at No. 29.