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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots coaches are currently enjoying some time off, and upon their return they will be swinging into action in the team-building portion of the NFL calendar. Along those lines, here are some key dates for them (and all teams): Feb. 20 -March 6 -- The window for clubs to designate franchise or transition players
Feb. 27-March 5 -- NFL combine (Indianapolis)
March 12-14 -- Clubs are allowed to contact and enter into contract negotiations with certified agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents upon the expiration of their 2017 player contracts at 4 p.m. ET March 14. A contract cannot be executed with a new club until 4 p.m. ET March 14.
March 14 -- All clubs must be under the 2018 salary cap prior to 4 p.m. ET.
March 14 -- The 2018 league year and free agency period begin at 4 p.m. ET.
March 25-28 -- Annual league meeting (Orlando)
April 16 -- Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs
April 20 -- Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets
April 26-28 -- NFL draft (at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas) This breakdown of the Patriots' roster by contract length, which details this year's free-agent class, is a handy guide. A few other notes: Left tackle Nate Solder can not be assigned the franchise tag, per the terms of the extension he had previously signed with the club. The club traditionally doesn't have media availability with beat reporters at the NFL combine. The team is scheduled to have one first-round pick (No. 31), two second-rounders (No. 41/43 and No. 63), a third-rounder and a sixth-rounder. The team is also projected to receive a fourth-round compensatory pick, per Nick Korte of OverTheCap.com.
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