After signing quarterback Danny Etling to a four-year rookie deal, the New England Patriots signed five more selections from the 2018 NFL Draft. According to Patriots.com, the team officially signed linebackers Ja'Whaun Bentley and Christian Sam, wide receiver Braxton Berrios, defensive back Keion Crossen, and tight end Ryan Izzo. Bentley was selected in the fifth round, Sam and Berrios were taken in the sixth round while Etling, Crossen, and Izzo were selected in the seventh and final round. The Patriots did not announce the terms of their deals.

With the moves, only first-round picks Isaiah Wynn and Sony Michel and second-round pick, cornerback Duke Dawson, remain unsigned.

According to NESN.com, the Patriots also signed nine 2018 undrafted free agents, including wide receiver Darren Andrews, defensive tackle John Atkins, defensive end Trent Harris, defensive tackle Frank Herron, cornerback J.C. Jackson, wide receiver Chris Lacy, cornerback A.J. Moore, running back Ralph Webb, and tight end Shane Wimann. In a corresponding move, the Patriots released offensive lineman Tony Garcia, whom they selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft with the 85th overall selection.

Get to know Patriots other picks

The 21-year-old Bentley, the 143rd overall pick by the Patriots, played 38 games during his four-year stay at Purdue, tallying 272 total tackles with one sack and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.

Sam, the 178th overall pick, suited up in 35 games for Arizona State, recording 240 total tackles, one sack and three passes defended. The Patriots took the 22-year-old Berrios with the 210th overall selection out of Miami. In 46 career games with Miami, Berrios caught 100 passes for 1,175 yards and nine touchdowns. The 23-year-old Etling was a two-year starter at LSU, throwing for 4,586 yards and 27 touchdowns during that span.

The 22-year-old Crossen was the 243rd overall selection out of Western Carolina where he tallied 165 tackles, one sack, three interceptions and 19 passes defended in 46 games. Izzo was the 250th selection out of Florida State, recording 54 career receptions for 761 yards and six touchdowns in 41 games.

Patriots ink intriguing wide receiver

Among the nine rookie free-agent signings, Andrews is the most intriguing as he is still recovering from a torn ACL and meniscus that he suffered in November. In nine games with UCLA last season, Andrews caught 60 passes for 773 yards and 10 touchdowns. In his college career with the Bruins, Andrews caught 162 passes for 1,977 yards and 15 touchdowns. In his senior year at Georgia, the 24-year-old Atkins played 15 games, finishing with 38 total tackles, while Harris led Miami with 8 ½ sacks as a senior in 2017 as a defensive lineman.
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