NEPD Editor: Mike Loyko
The Patriots began Thursday’s draft with just 65 players on their current roster and 6 draft picks. NFL off-season rules allow teams to roster up to 90 players in order to facilitate mini-camps, training camps, and off-season programs, this means the Patriots are projected to sign a large and deep UDFA class immediately after the draft. At least 1-2 undrafted players make New England’s roster each year and contribute immediately, making this process another very important roster building tool. Stay tuned to this post to track of all the Patriots signings and breakdowns of those players who will be joining them.
Updated: 11:30 AM
Harvey Langi, LB, BYU (6’2″/251/4.66/7.00 Cone)
Heavily connected to the Patriots during the draft process. Patriots were “all over him at his pro day” and also had him in for a visit to Foxboro. A highly versatile player who projects as an off-the-line LB and probably an Inside Linebacker for the Patriots. He began his career as a Running Back at Utah before transferring to BYU and converting to defense. Langi was played out of position as a Defensive End last season, but flashed NFL caliber talent as a Linebacker. Langi’s versatility, athletic traits, and size will give him a good shot at making the roster. At the very least he should be able to contribute on special teams.
Austin Carr, WR, Northwestern (6’0″/202/4.62/6.70)
The reigning BIG10 WR of the year. Carr is a player everyone pegged as a prototypical Patriots signing, as he’s tough, competitive, and has tremendous character. A former walk-on and a concert pianist, Carr has improved each year at Northwestern and shows the quickness and agility traits to be a slot receiver in the Patriots system. He’s shown good instincts working the middle area of the field and has very good hands.
David Jones, DB, Richmond
Jason King, OL, Purdue
Jason Thompson, FS, Utah
Josh Augusta, DT, Missouri
Corey Vereen, DL, Tennessee
Damarius Travis, SAF, Minnesota
Kenny Moore, CB, Valdosta State
Jacob Hollister, TE, Wyoming
Cody Hollister, WR, Arkansas
Adam Butler, DL, Vanderbilt
Dwayne Thomas, DB, LSU
Cole Croston, OL, Iowa
LeShun Daniels, RB, Iowa
D.J. Killings, CB, Central Florida
Max Rich, OL, Harvard
Andrew Jelks, OL, Vanderbilt (tryout)
Tags: Patriots, Signings, UDFA, Undrafted Free Agents
The full list of 19 UDFA signings released by the Patriots today included Andrew Jelks (OL, Vanderbilt) who was previously reported as a tryout invitee only. It also included a new name — Arkansas LB Brooks Ellis (Twitter @brooksellis51).
It did not include another Razorback — Arkansas CB D.J. Dean (@DJDean_2) — or Utah State LB Anthony Williams (, both of whom have been previously reported as having signed contracts.
The Pats didn’t release a list of tryout or minicamp invitees.
I was a Greg Pyke fan watching him play for Georgia so I was excited to y read here that he signed with the Patriots however all reports I’ve seen indicate he has signed with Buffalo???
Immediately after the draft is over, UDFA signings tend to be fluid situations, so it’s entirely possible he was first going to NE but then things changed and signed with Buffalo. Should be clear what’s what soon enough.
Does Adam Butler bulk up and stay at DT or become a DE
Interesting note while watching tape on Adam Butler I noticed he sacked Jason Thompson when he was a QB.
Anyone heard anything about Westerkamp, one of Russell’s favorites I think? His prospects are usually worth looking at.
After several erroneous reports yesterday that Westerkamp had signed with the Pats as a UDFA, it looks like he’s been invited to a tryout with Tampa Bay where GM Jason Licht is a Husker alum.
http://nebraska.247sports.com/Bolt/Westerkamp-earns-pro-tryout-52566331
https://twitter.com/PSchrags/status/858749339782582273
Keep your eye on Kenny Moore, CB, Valdosta State
A complete CB. Can tackle high point cover just comes from a small school. Kid with a big heart. I’m just waiting to see how he handles the jump up in competition.
Okay, who is he with, don’t know him?
One of the Pat’s Undrafted signings
Oh, I missed him. Well I’ll look out for his progress.
Here is a video of Kenny Moore as a Junior. For those not familiar with him
Regional Combine results
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C9T6_pVUQAA7QbQ.jpg:large
Kenny Moore was selected as a D-II First-team All-American.
HBCU Draft 2017
3.34 Chad Williams, WR, Grambling to Arizona Cardinals.
4.13 Tarik Cohen, RB, NC A&T to Chicago Bears.
4.38 Grover Stewart, DL, Albany State to Indianapolis Colts.
7.13 Jylan Ware, OL, Alabama State to Oakland Raiders.
8.01 Jessemen Dunker, OL, Tenn. St. to New York Giants.
8.02 Ezra Robinson, CB, Tenn. St. to Jacksonville Jaguars.
8.03 Derrick Griffin, TE, Tx Southern to Minnesota Vikings.
8.04 Javarius Leamon, OL, SC State to New York Jets.
8.05 Xavier Bingham, CB, Jackson St. to Baltimore Ravens.
8.06 Brandon Barnes, TE, Alabama St. to Detroit Lions.
8.07 Roderick Henderson, DT, Alabama St. to Tennessee Titans.
8.08 Ronald Butler, QB, Tenn. St. to Seattle Seahawks.
8.09 Toree Boyd, OG, Howard to Atlanta Falcons.
8.10 Jacque Polite, OL, Winston Salem to Buffalo Bills.
http://www.hbcuclassics.com
A really good UDFA class following a very good draft by the Pats. With Bob Quinn gone, it seems the days of reaching for DBs in the 2nd round are over. Yay …
Of the UDFA class, these are the players I have hopes for making the roster or PS:
Austin Carr, WR, Northwestern (real chance to make roster)
David Jones, DB, Richmond (chance to make roster but some injury concerns here)
Jason Thompson, FS, Utah (former QB and ST captain, not enough experience at SAF)
Damarius Travis, SAF, Minnesota (chance to make roster)
Dwayne Thomas, DB, LSU (can fight for nickle CB spot, otherwise PS)
Cole Croston, OL, Iowa (PS)
LeShun Daniels, RB, Iowa (PS)
D.J. Killings, CB, Central Florida (legit shot at a roster spot)
Max Rich, OL, Harvard (very athletic, lacks elite strength, could definitely stick on PS)
Forgot Greg Pyke, OL, Georgia – think he has a legit shot at PS, have my doubts he makes the roster just yet.
And of course, LB Harvey Langi – definitely has a shot at making the roster from a physical standpoint. There was mention by a scout of Langi’s interview with a team being “really weird” – don’t know how much validity there is to it but potential red-flags here for character concerns.
David Jones may be the best FA signing overall
Great workout – projects to FS and has the AA
to play in package defenses early
DB Thomas of LSU is one of the top gunners in this class
Patriots signed Greg Pike
great move – carries an NFL starting grade
at both guard and RT
A couple of years ago Gil Brandt had David Andrews listed as his top UDFA center.
This year he has Harvey Langi as hid top LB. Looking forward to see what Langi can do.
Amazing to me that a guy like Austin Carr goes undrafted, and a guy like Cooper Kupp goes early in round 3. Looking at their measurables and statistics, they seem extremely similar, and Carr faced better competition. Can someone explain why Kupp was so hyped up and Carr gets overlooked?
Or for that matter why Desmond King didn’t go until the 5th or Bucky Hodges in the 6th?
Beats me!
Teams have to know things the public doesn’t.
But sometimes it just happens I suppose.
Apparently King wanted to stay at CB and not move to SAF in the NFL, which would be his ideal position in the NFL.
As for Hodges, he is relatively raw at TE position and is not an elite route-runner for a pass-catching TE. Not much of a blocker either. In a good TE class, I guess it was easier for someone like Hodges to slip thru the cracks and to the 6th round.
Hearing rumors of character issues with Hodges as well.
What is similar about their statistics
………………..Career Receptions….Career Receiving Yards…Career TD’s
Austin Carr…113……………………..1649…………………………14
Cooper Kupp.428…………………….6464………………………….73
Guess I need to be more specific… their 2016 stats. Kupp’s stats are better, but he’s also playing against weaker competition. It’s just surprising to me that, given how similar their measurables are, that Kupp got so much hype and was drafted 69th overall (and Carr was a Big10 First team AA and the WR of the year).
My point is, is Kupp 200ish picks better than Carr? Seems to me like the Pats got a potential Kupp clone without using a draft pick. That being said, I have no idea if Kupp’s a better route runner, blocker, etc., which is why I asked the question.
As far as I can tell, it’s one word: experience. Kupp has been playing at a noticeable level for 4 years, while Carr has been doing so for one. As a result, Kupp’s routes have more nuance, as he is able to use fakes and stutter-steps more effectively to move his man. Also, while Carr was able to gash NCAA defenses deep, he’ll have less room to do so in the NFL, and when it comes to short and intermediate routes Kupp is more developed. Carr needs to work on finishing those routes effectively. All of these things can and likely will be fixed with a few years on the practice squad (and maybe the roster) of the best team in the NFL, but make no mistake: Kupp is much more polished right now.
At the end of the day, when teams compared the two receivers they saw two athletically limited players, one of whom has a much more developed game. Teams were not as willing to take a chance on a guy like Carr, who has obvious work to do in the areas where he will make a living in the NFL. But when it comes down to grabbing Kupp in the third or Carr as a UDFA, I’d take Carr every time.
Some teams also think that Kupp can play outside, but I’m not a firm believer in his ability to scorch NFL cornerbacks on the outside. I’ll have to wait and see if he can prove me wrong on that front.
Thanks for the thoughtful response. Definitely makes sense… I’m with you, I’d take Carr every time in that scenario.
This is a lot of UFA’s but the reality is there are very few openings on the team so if any of them make the roster they will be exceptional players in camp like Butler was………….However a lot of them may end up on the practice squad………….I want to see the guy from Harvard in camp he has all the tools to play tackle but he did play in the Ivy’ League so you don’t know until he is up against serious competition which he will get in camp………………………..
Really excited about Damarius Travis, the safety from Minnesota. He led his team in tackles last year, is notoriously a big hitter, and he made PFF’s 2016 All-Big Ten second team for slot corner, so he obviously has a lot of versatility to him. He isn’t the greatest athlete but there’s alot of safeties in this league that have similar to worse athletic numbers than he does and are very successful (Kam Chancellor, Tony Jefferson). I think he has the best chance to claim the backup strong safety spot over Richards.
Other than him, I think Langi, Pyke, and Augusta have legit chances of making the roster and hopefully Carr and (Jacob) Hollister will make it to the practice squad. Killings could possibly compete for the slot corner role but more realistically he’s a practice squad candidate too.
Last I heard Joe Mathus was “on his way” to Houston. Anyone know if he was signed or just a tryout?
It looks like he is going to Houston unfortunately
Seems shortsighted, BB signed Ealy for two yrs but so often these guys only last one and with Ninkovich closing in on the end a spot is sure to open sooner rather then later. Of the two DE’s we drafted one is likely slotted at OLB so there you go. Even if Mathus spent most of 2017 on PUP recovering he would have a decent shot of sticking. Don’t think Texans have the same, not sure?
I very much Like this Patriots draft better than last year. I thought were they
picked they made excellent choices. The udfa list for Patriots is the strongest in years.
They didn’t have many picks so they were very aggresive with the udfa.
I give Patriots draft B+ and udfa A.
Sounds right for the draft who knows at this point for udfa’s? Really they all sound good and I’m very excited to see how camp unfolds this summer when they get the pads on. We don’t really have many spots up for grabs but some surprises could be coming.
2 prospects still out there?
Ben Braden OG Michigan H:6-6 W:329 40:5.04 Be:25 3C:7.85 SH:4.9 V:28 Br:102 Arm:34 Hand:9.88
Carroll Phillips OLB Illinois H:6-3 W:242 40:4.64 Be:23 V:30 Br:123 Arm:33.75 Hand:9.75
Smiling and laughing. It was a great movie. Anyway Yea Carrol Phillips would be a smart pick up. Think we may as well pass on any more OL because we drafted two OT’s who could move inside in a pinch (we being a pass first off.) plus Julian Ware OL udfa. No sense bringing in so many at one position who will be unlikely to get a decent look.
Wait! We didn’t sign Ware. Don’t know how I got that idea?
Phillips has been signed. Braden is still out there.
Question is, by who?
Ravens
oops wrong one Ware got signed by the Ravens Phillips signed with Jaguars
Darn Steve you are getting me confused now Ware was selected by the Raiders Wylie went to the Ravens
So…who do you guys like from our UFA Draft Class? Who do you hope makes it to the roster?
So far….I’m interested/hope makes it is:
1. Harvey Langi LB
2. Austin Carr WR
3. Josh Augusta DT
like them, as well as David Jones, as long can wear Gronk and Mitchell like arm protection lol.. got great size is rangy with ball skills… health the issue in my book
Damarius Travis interesting too.. he a Chung type as S better in box, get exposed down the field.
Would have been happy if they drafted these three guys, hope they are good enough to make roster
I did a lot of work on OL Greg Pyke last year, when he mostly played OG and liked him. Last year he played ROT and was OK. Pyke has an interesting body type, very long form the waist up, giving him powerful leverage.
I like his chances to make the roster at OG back-up.
Did we sigh a Greg Pike? Missed it if so.
It might be that Langi would be a high hope given the lack of depth ( size wise at least) at ILB. Be interested in watching his progress in camp.
OL Andrew Wylie has signed a free agent deal with the @Ravens
https://twitter.com/DraftDiamonds/status/858487628454178816
Mark Daniels @MarkDanielsPJ 5m ago
Patriots also add LSU CB Dwayne Thomas. He lined up everywhere in college – slot, outside and at safety
https://twitter.com/MarkDanielsPJ/status/858515214924476417
———
DwayneThomas @Dwayne_LSU13
Brady & The Bunch #GodHasAPlan
https://twitter.com/Dwayne_LSU13/status/858513832217587712
Matt Breida, RB, Georgia Southern signs as UDFA with @49ers
Darnell Leslie from Monmouth has been invited to the Tampa Bay rookie minicamp
https://twitter.com/KristianRDyer/status/858463486325788672
RB Austin Ekeler to #Chargers
https://twitter.com/DraftDiamonds/status/858511434187104256
Andrew Eide
Just to keep everyone updated: we’ve received offers for different opportunities and are still deciding which is best for my future!
https://twitter.com/ACEide93/status/858488542313435136
He has made his decision
Andrew Eide signs UDFA deal with San Francisco
http://www.vanquishthefoe.com/byu-football/2017/4/29/15445824/2017-nfl-draft-byu-andrew-eide-signs-san-francisco
Towson RB Darius Victor confirmed he’s off to Jets rookie mini-camp
https://twitter.com/DraftDiamonds/status/858502429100224512
OT Jonah Pirsig joins Titans
https://twitter.com/DraftDiamonds/status/858508643213295616
JoJo Mathis looks like he is going to Houston instead of Dallas
https://twitter.com/joe_sahil_IV/status/858496402862637056
Confirmed he signed?
Congrats to PSU’s Xavier Coleman in signing free agent contract with the NY Jets
https://twitter.com/CoachNBurton/status/858458652025405440
Mike Reiss @MikeReiss 3m ago
Central Florida CB D.J. Killings has agreed to an undrafted free-agent contract with the Patriots.
Pats end up signing a RB — Iowa’s LeShun Daniels.
LeShun Daniels Jr. @LeShunDanielsJr 21m ago
“All I need is one shot and I’m thankful the @Patriots are giving me that opportunity”
https://twitter.com/LeShunDanielsJr/status/858491629870698498
Iowa WR @Riles_Mac83 (Riley McCarron) signs with #Texans as UDFA.
https://twitter.com/awexlerKPRC/status/858472608215556096
Another one I’m happy for
“Andy Greder @andygreder 28m ago
Former #Gophers safety Damarius Travis tells @PioneerPress he plans to sign with the New England Patriots.”
https://twitter.com/andygreder/status/858483020042579968
————
The Daily Gopher @TheDailyGopher 7m ago
“REPORT: #Gophers safety Damarius Travis signs UDFA deal with @Patriots per @andygreder!”
https://twitter.com/TheDailyGopher/status/858488593626660864
Russell don’t give up hope on Jordan Westerkamp with his injury the Pats may want to bring him in first to check on his medicals before signing him.
After I tweeted the writer at the Huskers blog I linked to here earlier and asked for clarification/confirmation, they’ve now removed the Westerkamp-to-Pats entry from their table. Hopefully the above is correct and he’ll still sign with them after a positive medical review.
https://nebraska.rivals.com/news/2017-huskers-nfl-rookie-tracker
no UDFA RB’s
Torgerson, Toth, Fadol Brown, Jadar Johnson – all still out there?
Toth to the 49ers
49ers site says Toth is not theirs, agent said will pick a team when healthy
Fadol Brown to the Raiders
Jadar Johnson to the Giants
Penn UDFA QB Alek Torgerson agrees to terms with the Falcons
Patriots signed DT Josh Augusta
Stetson DB Donald Payne to the Baltimore #Ravens per his agent.
https://twitter.com/ChrisShanafelt/status/858481916697354240
Glad for him
His agent is Josh Apple
HBCU Draft 2017
3.34 Chad Williams, WR, Grambling to Arizona Cardinals
4.13 Tarik Cohen, RB, NC A&T to Chicago Bears
4.38 Grover Stewart, DL, Albany St. to Indianapolis Colts
7.13 Jylan Ware, OL, Alabama St. to Oakland Raiders
8.01 Ronald Butler, QB, Tenn. St. to Seattle Seahawks
8.02 Jessemen Dunker, OL, Tenn. St. to NY Giants
8.03 Kevin Kenton, OL, Tenn. St. NY Jets
http://www.hbcuclassics.com
Harvard OL Max Rich signing w/ #Patriots, per agent
Some of us liked him too. BB is actually picking some of “our” guys. Really happy with that.
Surprised but happy
It looks like Westerkamp is official now.
Do we know anything about Austin Carr or Thomas Sperbeck?
Just saw this:
Northwestern WR Austin Carr expected to sign a UDFA deal with the #Patriots
Northwestern WR Austin Carr expected to sign a UDFA deal with the #Patriots
https://twitter.com/BradBiggs/status/858479155230507008
Mark Daniels
I’ve been told that Nebraska WR Jordan Westerkamp has NOT signed as an UDFA with the Patriots. Saw that on here, but it’s not true
https://twitter.com/MarkDanielsPJ/status/858479421707235329
It looks like Sperbeck went to the Bucs.
Boise State WR Sperbeck confirmed he’s signed with the Bucs
https://twitter.com/davesouthorn/status/858473817219317760
I liked Wasterkamp………!
LB Paul Magloire Jr. Arizona. Signed UDFA Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I like our draft. Help me out here:
1. Cook
2. Ealy
3. Rivers
3. Garcia
4. Allen
4. Wise
5. Gillislee
5. O’Shaugnesy
6. McDermott
What did I miss?
Last year’s players, but they still involved this year’s picks: 6th for Kyle Van Noy, 7th for Michael Williams. Also, no longer here but a 5th for Barkevious Mingo.
Great way to put in perspective
Hearing Nebraska WR Jordan Westerkamp to #Patriots
He was one of Russell’s player i think.
Yes Russell is a happy camper now.
or should I say once he is confirmed.
HuskerOnline confirms Westerkamp (aka Edelman v2.0) to the Pats.
https://nebraska.rivals.com/news/2017-huskers-nfl-rookie-tracker
ProJo’s Mark Daniels saying on Twitter that Westerkamp has NOT signed. Just tweeted him the above link. Guess we’ll see.
David Jones (Richmond) is a Patriot
https://twitter.com/DPBNE/status/858465865012043776
One of the top DBs in the #FCS , David Jones of Richmond to the New England #Patriots per @gregauman.
Would be really nice.
Andrew King is headed for tryout with the Patriots
https://twitter.com/DPBNE/status/858464185948274693
Army LB
Colts signed Dalton Crossan.
How did BB miss out on signing a lacrosse player from UNH??
JoJo Mathis to Cowboys as a try out
https://twitter.com/DPBNE/status/858463241680408576
New Orleans Saints sign
Travin Dural WR LSU
Sae Tautu LB BYU
Andrew Lauderdale OT UNH
Devaroe Lawrence DT Auburn
Dural is a really nice pick for them.
John Coon reports
Former Utah DL Hunter Dimick has signed a free agent deal with the Jaguars
Mark Daniels
Cincinnati LB Eric Wilson is heading to the Minnesota Vikings
Corey Vereen, DL, #Tennessee to #Patriots
Gabe Marks is a Seahawk according to Jared Stanger
Tennessee TE Jason Croom
Follow
Jason Croom ✔ @j_croom18
All I wanted was an opportunity #BillsMafia
List of #Patriots UFDA signings (so far):
DT Josh Augusta
LB Harvey Langi
FS Jason Thompson
OG Jason King
TE Jacob Hollister
Keith Towbridge @_unclekeef
Proud to be a @buffalobills !!! Y’all are going to get my all I promise you #BillsMafia ✊
Jeremy Cutrer, CB, #MTSU to #Jaguars
Jason Thompson has reached an UFA agreement with the New England Patriots.
Crazy pro day numbers from him. It looks like he’s only a ST player.
I wrote about him here
http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2017/04/building-the-patriots-big-board-offensive-line.html
Marcus Sayles @NBA_XIX
I’M OFFICIALLY A BUFFALO BILL‼️
Best of luck with that Mike.
Jordan Johnson (RB, Buffalo) is signing w/the Buffalo Bills despite offers from several other teams.. Great opportunity w/his hometown team!
Off the top of my head, I would say 3 great UDFA prospects to get immediately would be: Harvey Langi, Carroll Phillips, and Barry Sanders Jr. After that, maybe some guys like Amba Etta-Tawo and Channing Stribling. Thoughts?
Josh Augusta and Harvey Langi signed, per twitter reports.
great signings
A