
Fever's Clark to stay fresh by handling ball less
Caitlin Clark plans to reduce ball handling to stay fresh in 2026.
Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker is a strong candidate for the Patriots' No. 31 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft after a standout 2024 season with 11 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss.
This month, MassLive will look at five options that make sense for the Patriots in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Mike Vrabel’s team holds the No. 31 pick. If they don’t trade up or down, here’s one of the most realistic choices in that spot.
Enjoyed a breakout season in 2024 with 11 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss, 6 forced fumbles, 51 pressures.
He wasn’t quite as good in 2025 (5 sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss, 41 pressures) but still has the traits to be effective as an edge rusher at the next level.
He lives in the backfield, as 32.4 percent of his career tackles were for loss. He also set a single-season school record for forced fumbles (6).
Why the pick makes sense: It’s no secret what Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is looking for in his edge defenders.
“I think that there’s got to be a violence,” he said in February at the NFL Scouting Combine. “There’s got to be an ability to move off the football and to create some sort of disruption. You have to be able to factor in on the quarterback. You have to be able to make plays on the football. We know the quarterback is responsible for the most turnovers in football so can they affect the quarterback?
“And then the ability to set the edge, rush and have enough coverage acumen that the few times we ask them to do it, they can do it.”
Parker certainly looks the part.
He’s shown the ability to set the edge, and has the type of explosiveness and power needed to be an effective pass rusher at the next level.
Why it doesn’t: After his breakout season in 2024, Parker wasn’t quite the same player in 2025. His sack production dropped.
Teams paid more attention to him after his All-America sophomore season, so that might impact how the Patriots feel about taking him in the first round.
In the 2024 season, T.J. Parker recorded 11 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss, and 6 forced fumbles.
In 2025, T.J. Parker had 5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss, showing a decline from his breakout performance in 2024.
The Patriots may choose T.J. Parker for his potential as an effective edge rusher, despite a less impressive 2025 season.

Caitlin Clark plans to reduce ball handling to stay fresh in 2026.

Check out the 10 must-see WNBA games for the 2026 season!

Debating the No. 1 pick in women's fantasy hoops: A'ja Wilson or Caitlin Clark?
Purdue men's basketball is set for a foreign trip this summer due to a new NCAA rule.
Arkansas football QB competition heats up ahead of Red-White Game on April 25.
In a heartwarming display, runners helped each other finish the Boston Marathon on April 20, 2026.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here.