Continuing with recent tradition, the Patriots have reached contract agreements with all 10 of the team's draft picks before the starting of training camp. The team announced the final eight signings in a press release Monday morning, and although the team did not disclose terms of the deals it appears the organization did a bit of creative work to get the signings done.
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According to today's *Boston Globe* top pick **Ty Warren**, the 13th player taken in April's draft, inked a six-year deal over the weekend with a potential total value of $20.3 million. The 6-5, 300-pound former Texas A&M star received a $3 million signing bonus, has a $3.5 million option bonus for next March and could receive up to $7 million in the final year of the contract, reportedly based on performances, playing time and Pro Bowl appearances.
After Warren, obviously the key deal to get done, the other remaining picks seem to have fallen in their pecking order. Second-rounders Eugene Wilson and Bethel Johnson fell into place with five-year deals. Wilson, a 5-10, 195-pound cornerback out of Illinois, got a reported $2 million signing bonus with salaries just above minimums for the life of the deal. Johnson, a 5-11, 200-pound, speedy wide receiver also out of Texas A&M reportedly got a deal similar to Wilson's with a slightly lower $1.75 million signing bonus. Both deals include potential large escalator payments before the final seasons bases on playing time and performances.
The team then finished up its signings by inking its fifth, sixth and seventh-round picks. Fifth rounder Dan Koppen, a 6-2, 296-pound center out of Boston College signed a four-year deal with a $115,000 signing bonus and minimum salaries. Sixth-round pick, 6-3, 220-pound Texas Tech quarterback Kliff Kingsbury signed a three-year deal with a $50,000 signing bonus and minimum salaries.
Former BYU tight end Spencer Nead, the team's first of three seventh-round selections, agreed to a three-year minimum salary deal with a $25,000 bonus. Interestingly, Tully Banta-Cain, a 6-2, 250-pound outside linebacker out of Cal, taken five picks after Nead, got a four-year deal. Although terms of the Banta-Cain contract were not available, the team locked up the player that some are calling the steal of the draft for an extra season than the typical three-year deal that is given to later round draft picks.
On top of the seven signings that were finalized over the weekend, the team had previously worked deals with its two fourth-round picks, Dan Klecko and Asante Samuel, and seventh rounder Ethan Kelly.
As reported on ESPN.com, the 5-11, 283-pound Klecko, a nose tackle out of Temple who could compete for significant playing time in the New England front this season, signed a four-year deal worth a total of $1.69 million. The deal included a $320,000 signing bonus and minimum salaries, although like most of the other deals there is an escalator clause for the final season.
Samuel, a 5-10, 185-pound cornerback out of Central Florida also inked a four-year deal for just under $1.7 million that included a $312,500 bonus, minimum salaries and an escalator clause.
Kelley, a 6-2,303-pound nose tackle out of Baylor, was the first draft pick to sign this offseason. He reached a three-year deal earlier this month that included a $21,500 signing bonus and minimum salaries.
Notes
The team announced a few other minor moves to go along with the signings Monday morning. The Patriots signed exclusive rights free agent Matt Knutson, a 6-7, 305-pound offensive lineman. And to make room on the roster for the draft picks the team waived three rookie free agents in guard Dave Petruziello, wide receiver Kerry Watkins and running back Derek Watson. … Training camp will officially kick off this Wednesday, July 23rd at 3:00 p.m. with the first public practice on the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium. Fans are encouraged to check right here on Patriots.com or call 508-543-1776 for daily practice schedules and public availability before making the trip to Foxborough
Continuing with recent tradition, the Patriots have reached contract agreements with all 10 of the team's draft picks before the starting of training camp. The team announced the final eight signings in a press release Monday morning, and although the team did not disclose terms of the deals it appears the organization did a bit of creative work to get the signings done.
[
]()
According to today's *Boston Globe* top pick **Ty Warren**, the 13th player taken in April's draft, inked a six-year deal over the weekend with a potential total value of $20.3 million. The 6-5, 300-pound former Texas A&M star received a $3 million signing bonus, has a $3.5 million option bonus for next March and could receive up to $7 million in the final year of the contract, reportedly based on performances, playing time and Pro Bowl appearances.
After Warren, obviously the key deal to get done, the other remaining picks seem to have fallen in their pecking order. Second-rounders Eugene Wilson and Bethel Johnson fell into place with five-year deals. Wilson, a 5-10, 195-pound cornerback out of Illinois, got a reported $2 million signing bonus with salaries just above minimums for the life of the deal. Johnson, a 5-11, 200-pound, speedy wide receiver also out of Texas A&M reportedly got a deal similar to Wilson's with a slightly lower $1.75 million signing bonus. Both deals include potential large escalator payments before the final seasons bases on playing time and performances.
The team then finished up its signings by inking its fifth, sixth and seventh-round picks. Fifth rounder Dan Koppen, a 6-2, 296-pound center out of Boston College signed a four-year deal with a $115,000 signing bonus and minimum salaries. Sixth-round pick, 6-3, 220-pound Texas Tech quarterback Kliff Kingsbury signed a three-year deal with a $50,000 signing bonus and minimum salaries.
Former BYU tight end Spencer Nead, the team's first of three seventh-round selections, agreed to a three-year minimum salary deal with a $25,000 bonus. Interestingly, Tully Banta-Cain, a 6-2, 250-pound outside linebacker out of Cal, taken five picks after Nead, got a four-year deal. Although terms of the Banta-Cain contract were not available, the team locked up the player that some are calling the steal of the draft for an extra season than the typical three-year deal that is given to later round draft picks.
On top of the seven signings that were finalized over the weekend, the team had previously worked deals with its two fourth-round picks, Dan Klecko and Asante Samuel, and seventh rounder Ethan Kelly.
As reported on ESPN.com, the 5-11, 283-pound Klecko, a nose tackle out of Temple who could compete for significant playing time in the New England front this season, signed a four-year deal worth a total of $1.69 million. The deal included a $320,000 signing bonus and minimum salaries, although like most of the other deals there is an escalator clause for the final season.
Samuel, a 5-10, 185-pound cornerback out of Central Florida also inked a four-year deal for just under $1.7 million that included a $312,500 bonus, minimum salaries and an escalator clause.
Kelley, a 6-2,303-pound nose tackle out of Baylor, was the first draft pick to sign this offseason. He reached a three-year deal earlier this month that included a $21,500 signing bonus and minimum salaries.
Notes
The team announced a few other minor moves to go along with the signings Monday morning. The Patriots signed exclusive rights free agent Matt Knutson, a 6-7, 305-pound offensive lineman. And to make room on the roster for the draft picks the team waived three rookie free agents in guard Dave Petruziello, wide receiver Kerry Watkins and running back Derek Watson. … Training camp will officially kick off this Wednesday, July 23rd at 3:00 p.m. with the first public practice on the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium. Fans are encouraged to check right here on Patriots.com or call 508-543-1776 for daily practice schedules and public availability before making the trip to Foxborough
