Patriots Lock Up Five Draft Picks, Shoring Up Depth with Mix of Potential and Special Teams Value

The New England Patriots have officially signed five of their nine selections from the 2025 NFL Draft, a proactive move that signals the front office’s confidence in the developmental upside of this year’s class. While the headline-grabbing first-round pick, offensive tackle Caleb Lomu, remains unsigned, the team has inked a quartet of Day 3 selections and a fifth-round cornerback to standard four-year rookie deals. This batch of signings, combined with a flurry of undrafted free agent additions, gives head coach Mike Vrabel and his staff a deeper pool of talent to evaluate heading into organized team activities.

Let’s break down who is now under contract, what these players bring to the table, and why the Patriots’ strategy of prioritizing mid-to-late round signings early could pay dividends in the 2025 season.

The Five Who Signed: A Closer Look at New England’s Latest Rookies

The Patriots wasted no time getting their fifth-round and sixth-round picks into the fold. Karon Prunty, the fifth-round cornerback out of Kansas, is a physical press-man corner who projects as a potential nickel or dime contributor. At 6’1” and 195 pounds, Prunty has the length to disrupt routes at the line of scrimmage—a trait Bill Belichick’s defensive schemes historically valued, and one that Vrabel’s staff is likely to exploit in zone-heavy looks. Prunty’s signing is critical because the Patriots’ secondary, while anchored by Christian Gonzalez, lacks proven depth behind him.

The sixth-round selections bring a mix of raw athleticism and positional versatility. Dametrious Crownover, an offensive tackle from Texas A&M, is a massive 6’7” blocker who needs technical refinement but offers the kind of sheer power that can succeed in a gap-scheme running game. Crownover will likely compete for a swing tackle role, but his immediate value may come as a jumbo tight end or extra blocker in short-yardage situations.

Namdi Obiazor, the sixth-round linebacker from Boise State, is a sideline-to-sideline athlete who thrived in space during his college career. Obiazor’s signing addresses a glaring need for speed at the second level. With Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai locking down the middle, Obiazor could carve out a role as a sub-package linebacker who covers running backs and tight ends—a role that has been a weakness for New England in recent years.

Rounding out the signed picks are two seventh-rounders: Behren Morton (quarterback, Texas Tech) and Jam Miller (running back, Alabama). Morton is a developmental project with a live arm and good mobility, but he enters a crowded quarterback room behind Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissett. His best path to the 53-man roster is as a practice squad candidate who can mimic mobile quarterbacks in scout team drills. Miller, meanwhile, is a compact, powerful back who ran behind a dominant Alabama offensive line. He brings a between-the-tackles toughness that the Patriots’ running back committee—featuring Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson—currently lacks.

Four Draft Picks Still Unsigned: The Caleb Lomu Situation

While the Patriots have completed deals with five picks, four remain unsigned: first-round offensive tackle Caleb Lomu, third-round defensive tackle Jordan Burch, fourth-round wide receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr., and fourth-round safety Malaki Starks. The most notable holdout is Lomu, the team’s top selection. Lomu, a 6’5”, 320-pound mauler from Arizona, is expected to start immediately at left tackle—a position that has been a revolving door since Trent Brown’s departure. His unsigned status is not unusual; first-round picks often wait until the full rookie wage scale is finalized, and contract language regarding offset language and guaranteed money can delay signings. Expect Lomu to be under contract before training camp, but his absence from OTAs could slow his integration into the offensive line unit.

The other unsigned picks—Burch, Thornton, and Starks—are all expected to sign within the next week. Burch, a disruptive interior pass rusher, is the most likely to make an immediate impact. Thornton’s deep speed and Starks’ ball-hawking instincts give the Patriots potential playmakers at positions of need.

Undrafted Free Agent Frenzy: 12 Names That Could Surprise

Beyond the draft picks, the Patriots have signed a dozen undrafted free agents, a group that often produces hidden gems in New England’s system. Here’s a breakdown of the most intriguing additions:

• Tanner Arkin, TE, Illinois: A physical blocker who can play inline and in the slot. With Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki atop the depth chart, Arkin is a camp body with practice squad upside.
• David Blay Jr., DT, Miami: A powerful run-stuffer who flashed at the Senior Bowl. Blay could compete for a rotational role if Burch’s signing is delayed.
• Channing Canada, CB, TCU: A feisty nickel corner with special teams experience. Canada’s tenacity reminds scouts of former Patriot Jason McCourty.
• Nick DeGennaro, WR, James Madison: A slot receiver with sticky hands and precise route running. DeGennaro set JMU’s single-season reception record and could push for a roster spot as a fourth or fifth wideout.
• Kyle Dixon, WR, Culver-Stockton: A small-school speedster who ran a 4.38 40-yard dash. Dixon is a pure deep threat who will need to prove he can beat NFL press coverage.
• Cameron Dorner, WR, North Texas: A 6’3” possession receiver who excels on jump balls. Dorner’s size is a rare commodity in New England’s receiving corps.
• Kenneth Harris, CB, Oklahoma State: A long corner who can play safety in a pinch. Harris is a candidate for the practice squad due to his versatility.
• Khalil Jacobs, LB, Missouri: A downhill thumper who can blitz and stop the run. Jacobs is a potential core special teams player.
• Jimmy Kibble, WR, Georgetown: A polished route runner from a non-Power 5 program. Kibble’s football IQ could help him stick as a late-round sleeper.
• Myles Montgomery, RB, UCF: A one-cut runner with home-run speed. Montgomery could challenge Jam Miller for the third-down back role.
• JonDarius Morgan, G, UAB: A powerful interior lineman who started 40 games. Morgan is a classic “Patriot Way” signing—versatile, experienced, and cheap.
• Jacob Rizy, OL, Florida State: A swing tackle who can play guard. Rizy’s ability to fill multiple roles makes him a valuable training camp asset.

The undrafted free agent class is heavy on wide receivers (five signed), which signals the front office’s desire to inject competition into a group that struggled with consistency in 2024. DeGennaro and Dixon are the names to watch, as they offer contrasting skill sets that could complement DeMario Douglas and JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Expert Analysis: What These Signings Mean for the Patriots’ 2025 Roster

The Patriots’ approach to signing their draft picks early—particularly the Day 3 selections—suggests a front office that values continuity and early development. By getting Prunty, Crownover, Obiazor, Morton, and Miller into the building for OTAs and minicamp, the coaching staff can begin installing their systems without the distraction of contract negotiations. This is especially important for a team undergoing a transition from Bill Belichick to Mike Vrabel. The new head coach needs every rep to evaluate his roster.

Prediction 1: Karon Prunty will make the 53-man roster as the fifth cornerback, contributing primarily on special teams. His physicality fits Vrabel’s defensive philosophy.

Prediction 2: Dametrious Crownover will be a candidate for the practice squad, but his size gives him a legitimate shot at the swing tackle job if injuries hit.

Prediction 3: Namdi Obiazor will be a surprise contributor as a rookie, logging 150+ defensive snaps as a coverage linebacker. His speed is a weapon the Patriots haven’t had at the position since Dont’a Hightower’s prime.

Prediction 4: Behren Morton will not make the active roster but will be signed to the practice squad, where he can develop behind Drake Maye.

Prediction 5: Jam Miller will beat out Myles Montgomery for the fourth running back spot, providing a short-yardage option that Stevenson and Gibson lack.

The undrafted free agents, particularly Nick DeGennaro and David Blay Jr., have the highest chance of making the final roster. DeGennaro’s route-running precision and Blay’s interior push could fill specific needs that the team’s draft picks didn’t address.

Conclusion: A Foundation Built on Depth and Competition

The Patriots’ decision to sign five draft picks and a dozen undrafted free agents is a textbook example of roster-building in the modern NFL. While the spotlight remains on first-round pick Caleb Lomu, the real story here is the depth. New England is not relying on star power alone; they are stockpiling versatile, high-motor players who can contribute on special teams and in rotational roles. In a league where injuries and attrition define seasons, having a pipeline of signed rookies ready to compete is invaluable.

As training camp approaches, the battle for roster spots in Foxborough will be fierce. The five signed draft picks have a head start, but the undrafted free agents are hungry. For Patriots fans, the message is clear: the rebuild is not about flashy splashes; it’s about building a competitive roster from the ground up. And with these signings, the foundation is finally being laid.

Stay tuned to Patriots Insider for updates on the remaining unsigned draft picks and training camp battles.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.