A handful of rookies have new contracts with the rookies.
Two of them were offensive linemen added in the draft. Fourth-round pick Bryan Stork and sixth-round Jon Halapio both agreed to four-year contracts with the team, leaving them with only first-round defensive tackle Dominique Easley and second-round quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo left unsigned.
Stork won the Rimington Trophy as the nation’s top center for his work at Florida State last season and also played some guard earlier in his career. Halapio started 43 games at right guard for Florida and both players will compete for playing time on the interior. Center Ryan Wendell and right guard Dan Connolly return, but neither played particularly well last season.
The Patriots also announced the previously reported signing of defensive back Jemea Thomas along with the arrival of three rookie free agents. The Pats have signed West Alabama cornerback Malcolm Butler, Maine wide receiver Derrick Johnson and West Texas A&M linebacker Taylor McCuller.