With the NFL unveiling the first member of the Patriots on their Top 100 for 2014 list tonight, Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com looked back at the Pats players who have made the list in previous years. Tom Brady, unsurprisingly, has been a mainstay in the top 5, being named No. 1 in 2011 and No. 4 in 2012 and 2013. Aaron Hernandez made his first top 100 in 2013, but it’s a pretty safe bet that he won’t be featured in this year’s edition. Here’s more out of the AFC East..
- Former Browns linebacker Quentin Groves visited the Patriots today, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (via Twitter). The Redskins are up next for the former Auburn standout and he’ll visit Washington D.C. tomorrow. The 29-year-old was expected to be a menacing pass rusher when he was taken with the 52nd overall pick in the 2008 draft, but he has yet to realize his potential. In six NFL seasons, Groves has recorded just 8.5 sacks for the Jaguars, Raiders, Cardinals, and Browns.
- The Patriots are keeping in touch with tight end Dustin Keller, a source tells Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald. Keller suffered a major knee injury during the 2013 preseason with the Dolphins and is still working his way back to football shape. Keller caught 241 passes for 2,876 yards and 17 touchdowns in five seasons with the Jets, including career highs of 65 receptions for 815 yards and five touchdowns in 2011 when he last played a full 16-game season.
- The Bills are working out former Kansas receiver and special-teamer Josh Ford, reports Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Ford recorded 14 special-teams tackles and blocked three kicks during his senior season with the Jayhawks.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.