The New England Patriots made two roster moves as they signed rookie free-agent punter Corey Bojorquez from New Mexico to provide competition for Ryan Allen. Bojorquez made it to the 90-man roster after an impressive rookie minicamp tryout. He will now provide competition for Allen, who earned the job as punter for the Patriots as an undrafted rookie in 2013, for a spot in the 53-man roster. Bojorquez, a left-footed punter, made it to the first-team All-Mountain West Conference selection in 2017 after finishing fourth in FBS in yards per punt (47.3) and ninth in net punting average (41.99).
According to the Albuquerque Journal, just 11 of his 67 punts were returned last season, while four traveled more than 70 yards. In his two seasons at New Mexico, Bojorquez recorded 116 punts for an average of 45.1 yards per punt. The grind begins for both Allen and Bojorquez next week. Bojorquez is one of 10 Patriots undrafted free agents eyeing roster spots for the 2018 season. The other undrafted free agents are tight end Shane Wimann, wide receivers Darren Andrews and Chris Lacy, defensive tackles John Atkins and Frank Herron, cornerbacks J.C. Jackson and A.J. Moore, defensive end Trent Harris, and running back Ralph Webb. However, Andrews was cut by the Patriots to make room for Bojorquez in the 90-man roster.
Patriots not yet done with Andrews
Despite being waived due to a non-football injury designation, Andrews could play a role with the Patriots in the future, according to Doug Kyed of NESN.com. Kyed reported that the Patriots released Andrews as he recently underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL and meniscus and will not be ready for the team’s organized activities later this month.
If Andrews clears waivers, he will return to the Patriots’ non-football injury/reserve list, and his season will be over. However, the Patriots could save him for the 2019 season. The Patriots signed Andrews as they consider him as a prospect for the future. Last season with the Bruins, Andrews caught 60 passes for 773 yards and 10 touchdowns in just nine games as a slot receiver before he went down with the knee injury.
In his career with the Bruins, Andrews tallied 162 receptions for 1,977 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Patriots finished with Manziel
According to Mike Reiss of ESPN, the Patriots will not be signing free-agent quarterback Johnny Manziel after taking signal-caller Danny Etling in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Earlier, the Patriots expressed interest in Manziel and even attended his pro day at the University of San Diego and at Texas A&M. Currently, the Patriots have three quarterbacks in Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer, and Etling.
