FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The dust has settled from the New England Patriots' dizzying start to NFL free agency, but that doesn't mean the work is done.
Coach Bill Belichick has hit the road for a college scouting trip, starting at the University of Miami and likely continuing Tuesday at the University of Alabama and beyond. This reflects how Belichick and the organization are intensifying their preparations for the 2021 NFL draft (April 29-May 1), and that makes sense when considering the financial picture.
The Patriots have about $12.5 million in salary-cap space, and will need about $3 million to sign their draft class.