New England has made some moves.
The New England Patriots have officially signed the first members of their 2019 rookie class. According to the NFL’s transaction wire, the club has added the following ten undrafted free agents to its 90-man roster:
OT Calvin Anderson
TE Andrew Beck
RB Nick Brossette
WR Ryan Davis
SS Malik Gant
OC Tyler Gauthier
LB Terez Hall
WR Jakobi Meyers
CB D’Angelo Ross
OT Tyree St. Louis
All of the moves have already been reported previously, so today’s announcement is merely a confirmation of those reports. With that in mind, let’s find out a bit more about each of the players via our Patriots Undrafted Free Agents Tracker:
OT Calvin Anderson, Texas (6050, 300 lbs): Anderson is a raw prospect at this point in his career: he has the frame to find success as a run blocker and pass protector, but needs to work on his hand usage and improve his fluidity. All in all, the 23-year-old is a project for Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia to work with — but should not necessarily be counted on to grow into anything more than a camp body.
TE Andrew Beck, Texas (6040, 260 lbs): Serving primarily as a blocking tight end, Beck caught just 39 passes for 435 yards and 4 touchdown during his collegiate career. A team captain at Texas, he has adequate size to improve as a target in the aerial game but lacks the functional athleticism and route-running skills to make that step just yet.
RB Nick Brossette, LSU (5111, 209 lbs): 2018 was Brossette’s breakout season at LSU, as he lead the team with 240 carries, 1,039 yards and 14 touchdowns. Despite being a physical runner with solid vision and skills as a pass protector, Brossette does not stand out in any particular category. In New England, he will therefore serve as a depth option behind Sony Michel and third-round rookie Damien Harris.
WR Ryan Davis, Auburn (5099, 189 lbs): Playing alongside Patriots fourth-round draft pick Jarrett Stidham, Davis led Auburn in receptions (69) and yards (546) in 2018. He lined up all over the formation for the Tigers, but projects primarily as a slot receiver at the next level due to his combination of quickness and size. Davis also has experience as a punt returner.
SS Malik Gant, Marshall (5116, 209 lbs): A physical defensive back, Gant was used in various ways at Marshall. Given his frame and tackling abilities, however, he appears best suited to serve as a safety/linebacker hybrid at the next level: aligning closer to the box allows him to play off strengths in the running game and should ideally give him more favorable coverage matchups against tight ends and running backs.
OL Tyler Gauthier, Miami (6050, 300 lbs): Gauthier served as Miami’s starting center for the last two years and therefore brings lots of experience to the table. A solid pass protector than surrendered no sacks in 2018 and only 10 total pressures, he also possesses the versatility and size to successfully line up as a guard.
LB Terez Hall, Missouri (6011, 230 lbs): What Hall may lack in size, he makes up with his physicality as a downhill defender and coverage player. While his decision making and general feel for the game need to improve, he could find a role on the Patriots’ roster as a depth linebacker and special teams option. Hall was given a guaranteed $70,000 base salary as well as a $10,000 signing bonus, according to the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson.
WR Jakobi Myers, N.C. State (6016, 203 lbs): A bigger slot receiver at 6’2, Myers has the quickness and ball skills to find success at the next level. Despite not being the most explosive wideout, Myers was productive during his final season at N.C. State: appearing in 12 games, he caught a team-high 92 passes for 1,047 yards and 4 touchdowns.
CB D’Angelo Ross, New Mexico (5080, 175 lbs): Despite his height, Ross earned a starting spot in New Mexico and turned into a productive player for the Lobos: the speester registered a pair of interceptions and six additional pass deflections. At the next level, he will likely have to make his mark through special teams or as a slot cornerback.
OT Tyree St. Louis, Miami (6050, 305 lbs): St. Louis brings plenty of experience — he started 34 straight games to end his college career — and versatility to the table, as well as an intriguing frame. However, the Miami product needs to improve all facets of his technique to become more consistent in the running and the passing game.
The Patriots have also signed defensive lineman Nick Thurman. After going undrafted in 2018, the Houston Texans signed Thurman as a free agent. Despite registering eleven tackles in his team’s four preseason contests, Bill O’Brien’s team opted to part ways with him again and waived him as part of final roster cuts. Thurman failed to find a new home and ultimately headed to the now-defunct Alliance of American Football.
The 6’4, 295-pound defender never appeared in a game for the San Antonio Commanders, however, as he was let go before the AAF’s first (and only) season even began. In early April, Thurman finally found his way onto an NFL roster again when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed him as a free agent. His stint with the club was a short one: following last week’s draft, he was released again.
Now, the 23-year-old will join a Patriots team that is undergoing a transformation along the defensive edge with Michael Bennett and Chase Winovich prime candidates to help fill the spots previously occupied by Trey Flowers and Adrian Clayborn. Thurman will add the competition for a role alongside them as well as fellow top options Deatrich Wise Jr. and John Simon.
[UPDATE 05/02/2019; 5:44 p.m.] According to the team itself, the Patriots have also signed defensive lineman Shilique Calhoun. Originally joining the league in 2016 as a third-round draft pick by the Oakland Raiders, Calhoun appeared in 26 NFL games so far in his career: a rotational defensive edge and special teamer, the Michigan State product bounced around the Raiders’ active roster and practice squad — and last year, injured reserve as well.
After starting the 2018 season on Oakland’s practice squad, Calhoun was promoted to the active roster in mid-September. He went on to appear in seven games, registering twelve tackles and a quarterback hit. However, his season came to an end when the Raiders placed him on injured reserve due to a knee injury in December. Oakland did not re-sign Calhoun after the season had ended, which allowed him to sign with the Patriots now.
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