2014 UDFA Signings

Duncan had over 1,000 yards receiving last year, and is very talented, talent wise, he'd be our 2nd best TE

scott99 said:

We're starving for TEs and Indy already has 2 excellent ones. Good job BB. Just call JDD and sign him, he'd be our 2nd best TE by default.

Click to expand...

We're probably signing Keller. As Reiss said on his blog, if we wait until 6/1 to sign him he won't count against the FA Comp pick calculation so waiting will probably save us a 7th round pick or something next year.

BelichickFan said:

We're probably signing Keller. As Reiss said on his blog, if we wait until 6/1 to sign him he won't count against the FA Comp pick calculation so waiting will probably save us a 7th round pick or something next year.

Click to expand...

I'd love that signing IF Keller is 100%. Always thought he was a solid pass catching TE with the Jets.

two tight ends coming off horrible injuries?

Gronkowski123 said:

two tight ends coming off horrible injuries?

Click to expand...

it worked so well last year that BB is doing it again!

Sciz said:

I don't think too many people will disagree that the tight end position could be upgraded. I just think it's ridiculous to expect that Joe Don Duncan would make any difference.

Click to expand...

I probably would have said that about Kenbrell Thompkins and Joe Vellano last year.
Tough to expect that level of contribution every year, and those guys weren't on a lot of Pro Bowl ballots, but not unreasonable to expect contributions from one udfa each season. Given the situation, TE is as likely as anywhere else.

scott99 said:

I'd love that signing IF Keller is 100%.

Click to expand...

Idk ... would be pretty amazed if he was at 100% in June. I'd guess that signing would be more about taking the longer view.

BelichickFan said:

We're probably signing Keller. As Reiss said on his blog, if we wait until 6/1 to sign him he won't count against the FA Comp pick calculation so waiting will probably save us a 7th round pick or something next year.

Click to expand...

Maybe Miguel could chime in but I don't believe that 6/1 is the end date for UFAs to be signed and not count against the Comp. Pick formula. I was under the impression that it was the final cut-down day before the start of the Regular Season games.

DaBruinz said:

Maybe Miguel could chime in but I don't believe that 6/1 is the end date for UFAs to be signed and not count against the Comp. Pick formula. I was under the impression that it was the final cut-down day before the start of the Regular Season games.

Click to expand...

I don't know, I'm just repeating what Reiss said :

"Because veteran players signed after June 1 don't count against the compensatory pick formula for next year, the Patriots might as well wait another two weeks if they are eyeing a more experienced player."

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-...4763101/three-open-roster-spots-so-whats-next

PatsWickedPissah said:

it worked so well last year that BB is doing it again!

Click to expand...

APerp wasn't injured except between the ears.

BelichickFan said:

I don't know, I'm just repeating what Reiss said :

"Because veteran players signed after June 1 don't count against the compensatory pick formula for next year, the Patriots might as well wait another two weeks if they are eyeing a more experienced player."

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-...4763101/three-open-roster-spots-so-whats-next

Click to expand...

I know.. That's why I was hoping Miguel could chime in. He knows more about it than I do..

KontradictioN said:

They might have a good feeling about Jones. I personally don't see it, but they may feel that he just needs to be coached up. The run on TE's happened rather early and I personally wanted to see them convert Brandon Coleman to TE with a later pick. He would be a match-up nightmare there whereas he may have struggled at WR, IMO.

Click to expand...

So did I.

AzPatsFan said:

APerp wasn't injured except between the ears.

Click to expand...

I was referring to two other vet TEs who were cut in 2013
Remember the thread saying we're so rich in TEs we should trade some away?

BelichickFan said:

I don't know, I'm just repeating what Reiss said :

"Because veteran players signed after June 1 don't count against the compensatory pick formula for next year, the Patriots might as well wait another two weeks if they are eyeing a more experienced player."

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-...4763101/three-open-roster-spots-so-whats-next

Click to expand...

I have been wondering the same thing. I tried to look it up myself but couldn't find any rule that used June 1st as a cutoff. That would make a lot of sense - maximizing their compensatory pick haul and avoid gifting a late rd pick to the Phins. If they plan to sign Keller, it must be for more than the vet minimum, because UFAs that are sign to vet minimum contracts do not count against teams as far as compensatory pick calculations.

Patsgofor4 said:

I have been wondering the same thing. I tried to look it up myself but couldn't find any rule that used June 1st as a cutoff. That would make a lot of sense - maximizing their compensatory pick haul and avoid gifting a late rd pick to the Phins. If they plan to sign Keller, it must be for more than the vet minimum, because UFAs that are sign to vet minimum contracts do not count against teams as far as compensatory pick calculations.

Click to expand...

"As a league source has explained it to PFT, there’s another impact of the complete and total freedom these players have secured (those not signed before June 1). They now won’t count toward the formula for determining compensatory draft picks in 2014.

This means that, if/when these players sign elsewhere, the lost player won’t help his former team’s haul of compensatory picks — and it likewise won’t impact the formula of the team that signs him."


http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...ne-1-dont-count-in-compensatory-pick-formula/

Mike Reiss ‏@MikeReiss 9m
Patriots also announce the signings of rookie free agents Malcolm Butler (CB/West Alabama) and Taylor McCuller (LB/West Texas A&M).

I like JDD as a fullback, not as a TE. He is a very good blocker, strong as evident by his 35 reps of 225#s at the Combine. We know he can catch the ball and he is much faster than Develin.

I have to think the Pats have a gentleman's agreement with Dustin Keller to sign after June 1st so that it doesn't count against the formula for determining compensation picks. I think Anderson (LB) is in the same situation. He had over 100 tackles for the Bears last year and played every game.

P.S. so much for signing both vets ... the two UDFA signed off tryouts puts us at 89!

Mark Morse said:

P.S. so much for signing both vets ... the two UDFA signed off tryouts puts us at 89!

Click to expand...

They can always cut some UD rookie if extra spot is needed.

Dexter said:

Mike Reiss ‏@MikeReiss 9m
Patriots also announce the signings of rookie free agents Malcolm Butler (CB/West Alabama) and Taylor McCuller (LB/West Texas A&M).

Click to expand...

Butler was 3rd team All American as was McCullers. Butler is a tad slow at 4.62 but has a knack for breaking up passes. McCullers is a tackling machine amassing 433 tackles in his career at DII West Texas A&M. He runs a 4.59 as an ILB!

Dexter said:

Mike Reiss ‏@MikeReiss 9m
Patriots also announce the signings of rookie free agents Malcolm Butler (CB/West Alabama) and Taylor McCuller (LB/West Texas A&M).

Click to expand...

Taylor McCuller looks like an interesting prospect based on his pro day and he was the 2013 Lone Star linebacker of the year (whatever that is).

Dates: 03/14/14
Height: 6005
Weight: 239
40 Yard Dash: 4.59
20 Yard Dash: 2.71
10 Yard Dash: 1.60
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 21
Vertical Jump: 33
Broad Jump: 09'08"
20 Yard Shuttle: 4.25
3-Cone Drill: 7.08