Patriots Sign Six Draft Picks, While QB Jacoby Brissett Negotiates His Own Deal
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Patriots wasted little time getting their picks from the 2016 NFL Draft signed to their rookie deals. The team has agreed to four-year contracts with six of their nine selections.
According to Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal, the team agreed to rookie deals with second-round cornerback Cyrus Jones, fourth-round wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell, and sixth-round offensive lineman Ted Karras. Ben Volin of the Boston Globe tweeted Thursday that the team signed third-round offensive lineman Joe Thuney and sixth-round linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill. Mike Reiss of ESPN tweeted that seventh-round wide receiver Devin Lucien is the latest to sign his rookie contract.
That leaves third-round defensive tackle Vincent Valentine and sixth-round linebacker Elandon Roberts as the only remaining unsigned draft picks - that is, among players negotiating through agents. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett, a third-round pick, decided not to hire a manager and will represent himself in negotiations, according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald, who noted that Brissett is using former NFL safety Abram "Abe" Elam as an "advisor."
As several reports have noted, rookie contracts are relatively easy to negotiate under the current system with the new rookie salary scale. The process should not be much of a challenge between Brissett and the Patriots to agree on a deal. Volin expects all draft picks to be signed by the end of the week.
