Detroit Lions defensive end Trey Flowers reaches to knock down a pass during an NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 1, 2020, at Ford Field in Detroit.AP Photo/Duane Burleson

We’re running a mailbag on Fridays during the offseason. If you have questions on the Patriots, NFL, or want gripe about past answers, email cmason@masslive.com or tweet @bychrismason. Now let’s get to this week’s questions!

Could the Patriots still bring Trey Flowers back into the fold? — Vincent P.

Could Bill Belichick sign his old defensive end if he wanted to? Yes.

There are a myriad of ways the Patriots could create cap space without moving anybody off the roster. They could restructure Matthew Judon ($6.6 million), extend Hunter Henry ($6.3 million), etc. Belichick could also cut or trade somebody if he wanted to. There are avenues to wrangling up some dough.

Now, will they sign Flowers? That’s a different question entirely.

Belichick hasn’t elected to free up that additional cap space thus far. It seems like he’d rather just pay the credit card bill now than keep pushing it down the line to next season. If Flowers becomes available at a discount Belichick could certainly change his mind — he’s afforded himself that flexibility — but thus far it looks like he’s rolling with what he has on the roster.

A week into May, it’s somewhat surprising that Flowers has yet to find a team. Now that the NFL Draft has passed, teams have their needs more clearly in focus and free agent signings won’t cost a compensatory pick. Kyle Van Noy just found a home in Los Angeles accordingly.

If Belichick wants to bring Flowers back, he has the ammunition. But this offseason he’s been reluctant to pull the trigger on any big-money deals.

What’s your scouting report on the Tyquan Thornton, the Patriots WR selection in the 2nd round? Is he just a Bethel Johnson look-alike? — Matt K.

With Thornton the first thing that jumps out is undoubtedly the speed; he’s a burner.

With a 4.28 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine — fastest of any wide receiver in attendance — Thornton is a fascinating departure from the Patriots’ conventional prototypes. They usually either opt for big-bodied targets (N’Keal Harry) or quick three-cone times (Julian Edelman). Thornton has pure straight-ahead speed.

“You want to get faster, you’d better get fast guys,” Director of Player Personnel Matt Groh said. “I don’t know how many guys out there are faster than Tyquan. So, we’re really excited to be able to add him and his explosive play making. He is fast.”

As for the Johnson comparison, there are some similarities between the two second-round picks, but Thornton isn’t Johnson. He’s his own player. Johnson returned a bunch of kicks in college, while Thornton was a pure wide receiver. His 62 catches, 948 yards, and 10 touchdowns as a senior at Baylor are better numbers than Johnson ever posted at Texas A&M.

Based on the analysis of the draft, should the Patriots forfeit every game this season and try again next year? — DMR

No, because then I’ll be out of a job.

Seriously though, immediate draft grades are such a farce. The Mel Kipers of the world can watch all the college tape they want, but at the end of the day nobody knows for certain how a player will adjust to the NFL. There are too many variables.

Give it two years and then draft classes can be evaluated fairly.

With the AFC improved how many wins do you expect from the Patriots this year? — Miller

It’s so, so early.

Vegas currently has the over/under at 8.5 wins and as it stands, I think that’s fair. Currently the roster looks like a .500 team. However, I reserve the right to adjust this based on what I see over the summer. If Cameron McGrone lives up to the hype, Mack Wilson slides in seamlessly, and DeVante Parker gives the offense another dimension, that win total could go way up. However it could always slide the other way, too.

For a real prediction check back in the beginning of September.

What would your draft party look like assuming you’re getting picked in the 2nd-4th round? — Matt K.

I’ve always liked the Joe Thomas’ “go fishing with your dad” move.

Only issue: My dad and I don’t really fish much. So maybe we’d just go bowling or something instead. Something low profile for sure though. Certainly wouldn’t be doing Jerod Mayo’s tequila shot for every team that passes, but I sure as heck respect that move, too.

Terrance Mitchell: Joining Patriots like ‘being at the toy store’ and ‘getting a whole bunch of toys’

Mac Jones’ draft party featured sake Super Soakers, tour of QB’s house (with a secret bookshelf door)

Jerod Mayo: Patriots had ‘weirdest combine interview,’ won’t drink Patron after NFL Draft experience

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