Patriots ink the last of their rookies to an NFL contract
By agreeing to terms with running back Damien Harris, the New England Patriots finished signing all members of their 2019 NFL Draft class to contracts.
Tuesday was an important day for the New England Patriots.
The team officially kicked off their three-day mandatory minicamp, which means that all players on the current roster will finally have a chance to practice with one another and begin the important process of team-building for the upcoming 2019/2020 NFL season.
It also saw the last of the team’s rookie draft class this year get signed to an official contract.
Alabama running back Damien Harris, selected in the third round with the 87th pick, agreed to terms on a four-year, $3.6 million contract. Harris reportedly got an extended look on Tuesday during drills as a starter, thanks in no small part to Sony Michel’s absence.
Harris and Michel are expected to both see time as the early-down back in the New England offense this year, with Rex Burkhead and James White slated for passing-down responsibilities.
Just one day earlier, fellow third-round draft pick Chase Winovich, a defensive end out of Michigan, agreed to terms on a four-year, $3.8 million deal.
Third-round pick Yodny Cajuste (offensive tackle) out of West Virginia was the first to ink a rookie contract with the team, signing a four-year pact worth $3.4 million on May 9. That same day, fifth-round pick Byron Cowart (defensive end) out of Maryland agreed to a four-year, $2.8 million deal, as did second-round pick Joejuan Williams (cornerback) out of Vanderbilt, who signed a four-year, $6.6 million deal.
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The next day (May 10), fourth-round quarterback Jarrett Stidham from Auburn signed a four-year, $3.1 million deal; seventh-round cornerback Ken Webster out of Mississippi signed a four-year, $2.5 million deal; fourth-round guard Hjalte Froholdt from Arkansas signed a four-year, $3.2 million deal; and fifth-round punter Jake Bailey out of Stanford signed a four-year, $2.8 million deal.
First-round draft pick N’Keal Harry, wide receiver out of Arizona State, inked a lucrative four-year, $10 million deal on May 14.