Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com writes that Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski appeared on a local radio show this morning and said that while he's excited to get back on the field, it's too early to tell if he'll be ready for the 2014 season opener. Read

"Oh man, that's too far away. I'm just improving every day right now," Gronkowski said Tuesday on the "Hill-Man Show" on WAAF-FM. "I'm working hard every day to put myself in the best situation so that I'm ready." READ MORE>> Read

Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald believes that LB Jamie Collins is the player poised to make the biggest leap from the Patriots' 2013 draft class. Read

"Jamie Collins projects as an immediate starter with three-down potential, so he might never come off the field," writes Howe. "With how rapidly he progressed late last season, the Patriots should have very high hopes for him in 2014." READ MORE>> Read

Nick O'Malley of MassLive.com believes that among the best defensive tackles in this year's NFL draft, Florida's Dominique Easley is the best fit for the Patriots with the 29th overall pick or a trade down scenario. Read

"Easley has the potential to make the biggest impact as a pass rusher at the NFL level, especially early on," adds O'Malley. "His elite burst off the snap will make him a third-down asset for whatever team drafts him from the day he steps into the field." READ MORE>> Read

Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com writes that Ohio State's Bradley Roby would be a good fit with the Patriots as a first round draft pick. Read

"The Patriots will have to look to the future at this position with Darrelle Revis’ massive contract," writes Curran. "The presence of Brandon Browner, Logan Ryan and Alfonzo Dennard as outside guys and Kyle Arrington in the slot is solid but none of them makes you say, 'OK, fixed forever.' And that includes Browner. Roby isn't as highly rated as other guys but he really fits the Patriots style more than most." READ MORE>> Read

Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com believes the Patriots will select their next starting quarterback in this year's draft. Read

"The dirty secret about Ryan Mallett: He hasn't developed as the Patriots have hoped," writes Rosenthal. "They haven't been able to trade him, in part, because no one is convinceed he's improved as a pro. Mallett's contract expires after this season, and the Patriots should get value out of him as their backup quarterback this year. And then we'd expect him to leave via free agency." READ MORE>> Read