Football Twitter

8 Patriots Who Opted Out Last Season Reportedly Plan To Return

FOXBORO (CBS) – All eight New England Patriots players who opted out of last season due to COVID concerns are planning to return this year.

On Friday, Ian Rapoport reported that key players Don’t’a Hightower, Patrick Chung and Marcus Cannon plan to return for 2021.

In the latest episode of Do Your Part, @TheHall's Sam Cunningham reflects on his performance in the 1970 USC vs. Alabama game that helped change college football in the South.

🎙: https://t.co/YTlZRWE6Ex
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) February 27, 2021

Brandon Bolden, Danny Vitale, Matt LaCosse, Marqise Lee, and Najee Toran all plan to play this season, the Globe reported.

This Week in NFL History: March 1 to March 7; Peyton Manning retires

Welcome to This Week in NFL History! Every week, the Research team will spotlight the anniversaries of notable events and birthdays.

March 1

Elmer Layden was named the 1st Commissioner of the NFL in 1941

- RB at Notre Dame & was a member of the Fighting Irish's "Four Horsemen"

- Served as Notre Dame's head football coach for 7 seasons from 1934-1940 (Went 47-13-3)

On former Pres. Donald Trump's role in the GOP, @ChrisChristie says "many of the policies that were pursued over the last four years, take aside the personality, take aside the tweets, a lot of those policies are things that Republicans support." https://t.co/jisiSjY4KY pic.twitter.com/31meWxoUVZ
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) February 28, 2021

- Served as commissioner for six seasons from 1941-1946

DT Ndamukong Suh completed 32 bench press reps & ran a 5.09 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine in 2010

Justin Skule Could be the 49ers Starter at Left Tackle in 2021

Trent Williams could leave the 49ers in a few weeks from now.

In fact, I'd say there is a high likelihood that he is as good as gone. That will leave the 49ers with yet another position of need. Worst part of all is that they will be desperate at left tackle for a second-consecutive offseason. The 49ers could always look to draft a player as Williams' replacement, but there are other areas they might want to reserve their draft capital for.

That is why Justin Skule could be the 49ers starter at left tackle in 2021.

Justin Skule

Justin Grant Skule (born November 23, 1996) is an American football offensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Vanderbilt.

Couldn’t have gotten a better man for the job! Texas got a great one! https://t.co/zZKUJFoKof
— Justin Skule (@JSkule_58) January 29, 2021

Skule was a two-year starting left tackle for Centreville High School. Skule played in two state championships winning one in 2013. As a three-star lineman, Skule committed to Vanderbilt. He also received offers from Navy, West Virginia, Rutgers, and Virginia.

2 DB prospects to keep an eye on as 49ers rebuild secondary

The 49ers’ secondary will be a key focus this offseason through free agency and the draft. The latter of those two could wind up either making or breaking their 2021 campaign depending on how free agency shakes out. It seems as though the team is preparing to take at least one defensive back relatively early in this year’s draft considering two of the prospects they’ve had virtual meetings with.

Greg Newsome, Asante Samuel Jr,, Rondale Moore, Alim McNeill, Trill Williams, KJ Britt, Daelin Hayes. Are the ones I like.

They also talked with Jermar Jefferson, Thomas Graham, and Javian Hawkins

Min: Met with Joshuah Bledsoe, and Book that's all I have seen on them.
— Nick Larson (@nmlarson_4) February 26, 2021

Northwestern CB Greg Newsome and Syracuse DB Trill Williams both met via video with San Francisco according to Draft Wire’s Justin Melo and could both be selected relatively early.

Report: Colts Met Virtually with Syracuse DB Trill Williams Recently Before the NFL Draft

According to The Draft Network’s Justin Melo, the Indianapolis Colts met virtually (or will meet) with Syracuse defensive back Trill Williams recently before the 2021 NFL Draft:

Syracuse had some turnover machines in Trill Williams & Andre Cisco! Whew!

Trill Williams had 4 INTs & 4 FFs in career. Tall, Long, Exceptional athlete. Nickel/SS role. Similar type of player to FSU’s Hamsah Nasirlideen @BruceFeldmanCFB Freaklist for 4.34 40 and 40” vertical! pic.twitter.com/zPbzUUcoe8
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) February 6, 2021

The 6’2”, 198 pound junior defensive back recorded 23 tackles (14 solo), a tackle for loss, an interception (returned for a touchdown), and 4 passes defensed during 5 games (4 starts) before being hindered by an ankle injury and opting out to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft.

Jaguars reportedly meet with CB Greg Newsome II

According to Justin Melo of The Draft Network, the Jacksonville Jaguars were among a handful of teams that met virtually with Northwestern cornerback Greg Newsome II. The Jaguars will be looking at both free agency and the 2021 NFL Draft to fulfill their need at cornerback. They will likely be searching for a veteran in free agency who can come and mentor the young players on the roster. We are finally hearing some names the Jaguars could be considering bringing in and Newsome is one of them. What do we know about the prospect?

Lots of buzz on #Northwestern CB Greg Newsome II lately and it's well deserved. One of the best CB's in this draft. A first round talent.

Newsome has met virtually with the following: #Titans, #Packers, #Chiefs, #Jaguars, #Buccaneers, #Saints & #49ers just to name a few.
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) February 26, 2021

Coming out of high school, Greg Newsome was rated as a three-star prospect by ESPN when he committed to Northwestern in 2017. He has the ideal size for an NFL cornerback at 6’1″ and 190 pounds and good length.

Monday, March 1, 2021