Nate Davis of USA Today has been handing out grades to each NFL team for their offseason performance, based on "roster maneuvers, coaching changes, current events and so forth." Recently, he handed out offseason grades for the AFC East. The Patriots tied with the Bills, receiving the top grade in the AFC East with an "A-":

Bill Belichick's bunch was oh-so-close to its fourth Lombardi Trophy in 11 seasons. But the Pats have been busy since their four-point loss in Super Bowl XLVI. Six of their seven draft picks were devoted to a defense that finished last in the AFC. Rookie DE Chandler Jones and LB Dont'a Hightower should be impact players in short order, though second-round S Tavon Wilson was questioned by some as a reach. Much will be expected of Jones after the team chose not to re-sign Anderson and fellow DE Andre Carter, who combined for 20 sacks in 2011. Seventh-round CB Alfonzo Dennard has the talent to make a difference, and a secondary that still seems unsettled might need him. A scoreboard-shattering offense said goodbye to longtime LT Matt Light, who retired, and steady RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Nate Solder, a first rounder in 2011, should thrive in Light's role while the tailback-by-committee approach promises to endure with Stevan Ridley taking a leading role with ex-Colt Joseph Addai in the mix. Watch a saturated receiver group. Wes Welker and free agent signee Brandon Lloyd, who knows offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels' playbook well, should start. But it could be a spirited battle with Deion Branch, Chad Ochocinco, Julian Edelman, Jabar Gaffney, Anthony Gonzalez, Donte' Stallworth and special teams ace Matthew Slater vying for jobs. Bottom line: New England is loaded for another Super run.

It's hard to disagree with anything Davis said, as this was more of a recap than a detailed analysis of the Patriots offseason. But for some perspective, consider that Davis gave a "C-" grade to the Jets and a "B-" grade to the Dolphins.

All of this being said, what do you think of Davis' assessment of the Patriots offseason? Fair? What grade would you give the Patriots and their fellow AFC East teams?

Over at SBNation.com, NFL Editor Joel Thorman has ranked the 2011 last-place finishers from each division based on how likely they are to make the "worst to first" jump. In the AFC East, the division the Patriots won for the third straight year in 2011, the last place team was Buffalo. Thorman ranks the Bills at seventh:

The Bills will absolutely be better in 2012. They added Mario Williams, which was a huge move for a team that's looking to stop one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in Tom Brady. Unfortunately, it's unlikely the Bills did enough to topple the Patriots.

I can see them finishing the season second in the AFC East if all goes well, but the Bills aren't yet at the level where they can be considered a good worst-to-first candidate with the Patriots in the same division.

It's not hard to disagree with Thorman's assessment. The Buffalo Bills are certainly a really improved team. Considering their strong start to the 2011 season, it's hard to even imagine that the team did indeed finish last in the division (via tiebreaker with Miami). I think that, based on the moves they have made, they could very well finish with 9-10 wins and compete for a wildcard spot. At the same time, I'd find it hard to imagine the Patriots finishing with a worse record than Buffalo.

All of this being said, which AFC East team do you think stands the best chance at unseating the Patriots as division champs in 2012? Is it the aforementioned Bills? The rival Jets? The Dolphins, the only other team to win the crown since 2002?

The New England Patriots announced several roster moves on Tuesday, releasing wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez, signing rookie free agent tight end Nick Melillo, and making the signings of G/C Jamey Richard and 7th round pick Alfonzo Dennard official.

The most notable of those moves is the release of wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez. Gonzalez was signed back in March and was seen as a low-risk, high-reward signing. He had been injured the better part of the last three years in Indianapolis, but the general consensus was that if he could get healthy, he could be a valuable pick up. Unfortunately for Gonzalez, he seemed to suffer a set-back prior to OTAs, missed the workouts, and is now the first veteran casualty in a very deep wide receiver group. Gonzalez' release leaves Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, rookie Jeremy Ebert and potentially veteran Deion Branch as options at the slot receiver position.

The other notable move was the signing of rookie free agent tight end Nick Melillo. Melillo, undrafted out of Kentucky, is more of an h-back/fullback type tight end. He ran a 4.62 at his pro day, and while he is a longshot to make the roster, he will provide some depth during mini-camp and OTA's at tight end while veterans Rob Gronkowski and Daniel Fells rehab from their own respective injuries.

The signings of Alfonzo Dennard and Jamey Richard had been previously reported.

The second in a series looking at the Patriots' 2012 NFL Draft picks, and the roles they might play for the Patriots next year.

Name: Dont'a Hightower

School: Alabama

Position: Linebacker

Drafted: 1st round, 25th overall

Overview: Standing at 6'2" and 265 lbs, Dont'a Hightower is an incredible physical specimen who also has surprising athletic ability (ran a 4.68 40 yard dash at the combine). He's a high character guy and was a leader at inside linebacker for Alabama's National Champion defense. He has the potential to be an elite run defender, he can move relatively well in space, and has the strength to set the edge against the run if necessary. He has also shown pass rush potential, occasionally lining up at defensive end in nickel packages for Alabama, and frequently being used on blitzes. And while he isn't an elite athlete, he's got solid awareness in coverage to make up for that deficiency, much like the Patriots' own Brandon Spikes.

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With the recent retirement of long-time left tackle Matt Light, the Patriots could potentially use some additional depth along the offensive line heading into training camp. That being said, according to ESPN Boston's Mike Rodak, the Patriots worked out three different free agent offensive linemen today:

The Patriots hosted three offensive linemen on tryouts Wednesday, according to a league source.

They were: offensive tackle Stephon Heyer, offensive tackle Brandon Keith, and guard/center Jamey Richard.

All three of these players have considerable starting experience in the NFL. Richard, whom I coincidentally went to high school with, has played in 48 career games with the Colts, including eleven starts. He has the versatility to play center or guard.

Stephon Heyer and Brandon Keith would both provide depth at the tackle position, where the Patriots are currently pretty thin. Heyer, who stands at 6'6" and 330 lbs, is primarily a right tackle who has started 35 of 61 career games played for the Redskins and Raiders. Lastly, Keith, a seventh round pick of the Cardinals in 2008, has started 20 of 26 career games played.

The first in a series looking at the Patriots' 2012 NFL Draft picks, and the roles they might play for the Patriots next year.

Name: Chandler Jones

School: Syracuse University

Position: Defensive end / outside linebacker

Drafted: 1st round, 21st overall

Overview: At 6'5" and 266 lbs, Jones is a physical freak in the form of a Jason Pierre-Paul with long arms, an explosive first step, and an ability to get to the quarterback. Like Pierre-Paul during his time at USF, Jones' production never really matched his physical skills and potential while at Syracuse. By moving up in the first round to select Jones, the Patriots hope to get the most out of that potential.

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Three years after being the Patriots' first selection in the 2012 NFL Draft, it's still difficult to evaluate exactly where Patriots safety Patrick Chung is at in his development.

You're not going to find many reasons to doubt Chung's talent or desire. Chung is a natural leader both on and off the field, and over the past two seasons, has proven to be one of the most explosive and talented football players that the Patriots have had on the defensive side of the ball. In 2010, Chung's first year as a starter, he racked up 96 tackles, nine passes defensed, and three interceptions in fourteen total games. In 2011, playing in just eight games, Chung recorded 62 tackles and one interception.

In his first three years in the league, Chung has shown an ability to make big plays whether it be on defense or on special teams. While he might never be an elite slot defender, he's shown signs of improvement in man coverage. He's a reliable enough option in coverage on the back-end, and is excellent in pursuit against the run, playing in the box, and as a blitzing safety.

The biggest concern when it comes to Chung and his potential to take the "next step" surrounds his durability.

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One of the free agent safeties that the Patriots reportedly had expressed interest in is now off the market. According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com, former Miami Dolphins safety Yeremiah Bell has decided to sign with the New York Jets:

A league source tells PFT's Mike Florio that Bell has signed with the Jets on a one-year, $1.4 million contract. The deal includes a $200,000 signing bonus, a $1.1 million fully guaranteed base salary and a $100,000 workout bonus.

Bell was expected to sign today after making visits to the Eagles, Jets, Chiefs and Titans since being released by the Dolphins, and now the deal with the Jets is done.

This isn't really a big hit for the Patriots, who were also reportedly interested in signing LaRon Landry earlier in the offseason, who also signed with the Jets. Bell, while a reliable and experienced veteran, has been known to be a liability in coverage. And while the Patriots, according to one report, had "expressed interest" in Bell, they never even brought him in for a free agent visit. Nonetheless, I thought Bell could have made a nice addition as a reliable back-end option.

Now, Bell goes to the division rival Jets. And while Bell certainly helps the Jets, upon further review, this might not be terrible news for any pass-happy 2012 opponent of the Jets. Both Bell and Landry are notoriously bad in coverage, and are both known more as in-the-box safeties. Their primary back-end communicator of the last few years, Jim Leonhard, remains an unrestricted free agent. Eric Smith remains on the roster, but is far from a reliable option. The next safety on the depth chart is likely 7th round draft choice Antonio Allen. For a Patriots team looking to threaten down the field in 2012, the current state of the Jets safety group shouldn't make Tom Brady and the Patriots revamped passing attack sweat too much (although facing Darrelle Revis always will).

The New England Patriots recently hosted a former rival on a free agent visit to Gillette Stadium this week. According to Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe, former Indianapolis Colts tight end visited the Patriots on Tuesday for a free agent visit.

Patriots fans, of course, know Clark from his years with the Colts from 2003-2011, when he was one of Peyton Manning's favorite targets and was a pain for the Patriots defense on many occasions. Considering his previous success against the team (while not statistical, Belichick always heavily gameplans against him), it really isn't surprising that the Patriots have interest in Clark.

That being said, considering the depth and young talent the Patriots have at the tight end position, it's a bit surprising that the Patriots even have an interest in the soon to be 33-year-old Clark. Rob Gronkowski is arguably the best in-line tight end in the league, while 3rd year Florida product Aaron Hernandez fills the role that Clark did all those years with Indianapolis. That's not to mention newcomer Daniel Fells, who the Patriots paid a hefty contract this offseason, presumably to take over the #3 tight end slot.

My guess with Clark: the Patriots are doing their due diligence on a long-time respected opponent. Don't expect a deal to go down, as Clark will see more money and better playing time opportunities elsewhere.

According to his official twitter account, New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker has signed his franchise tender with the team. The tender is worth $9.5 million over one year.

In the tweet, Welker stated that he "love the game" and his teammates and that "hopefully doing the right thing gets the right results." Clearly, Welker is signing the tender in good faith that the two sides will continue to work out a long term extension.

From a fan perspective, this is awesome news. Not only does it get the team's top receiver and Tom Brady's favorite option under contract for at least one more year, but it shows fans exactly how committed Welker is to the team. For the Patriots organization, having Welker under contract gives the team a lot more leverage in negotiations. Welker will now be required to show up for training camp and mandatory mini-camp (in June), or he will be sacrificing part of his $9.5 million salary. The team no longer has as much urgency to get a deal done. At the same time, should they fail to extend Welker, it would qualify as a bad PR move since Welker has taken this "leap of faith," as he described it.

For Welker, there is not much to gain from this move from a financial perspective. He's played into the Patriots hand in that sense. Nonetheless, this move shows a renewed commitment to the team and will allow him to get into team workouts and OTA's, acclimate with the team's new additions and make the necessary preparations to have a successful 2012 season.

The New England Patriots are set to kick-off their two day rookie minicamp with media access starting Friday and continuing on Saturday (practices are closed to the public). It's always an exciting time for fans, as they get to see their team's rookies don their "numbers" for the very first time. That being said, here are a few things to watch for each Patriots draft pick when it comes to rookie camp:

Chandler Jones, DE: I'm intrigued to see whether or not the Patriots work with Jones at outside linebacker at all. Rookie minicamp is really a time for learning the basics. Nonetheless, we can still also get some type of indication of how a team intends to use a player.

Dont'a Hightower, LB: The Patriots second pick in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, Dont'a Hightower could easily factor in at any number of positions along the front seven. He can play inside in the 3-4, outside in the 3-4, at defensive end in the 4-3, and likely SLB in the 4-3. As with Jones, it will be interesting to watch where the Patriots line Dont'a Hightower up on his first day.

Tavon Wilson, S: Bill Belichick's decision to draft Wilson in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft raised a lot of eyebrows and was widely considered a "reach." This weekend will be Wilson's first opportunity to prove those doubters wrong, even if it really is just an "instructional camp."

Jake Bequette, DE: Like Chandler Jones, Jake Bequette will have the opportunity to impact the Patriots' pass rush positively from day one. And like Jones, I'll be intrigued to see where the Patriots line up Bequette during minicamp.

Nate Ebner, DB/ST: We know Ebner can fly up and down the field in kick coverage units, but rookie camp will be one of Ebner's first chances to work with the Patriots staff in becoming a well-rounded defensive player.

Alfonzo Dennard, CB: Due to legal issues, Dennard fell all the way to the seventh round in the 2012 NFL Draft. Going by his initial draft stock, the Patriots got excellent value for him there, but will he keep it together? Doubt we'll be able to tell from one minicamp, but hopefully he'll be able to make a positive impression.

Jeremy Ebert, WR: Considering the veteran depth the Patriots have at the wide receiver position, Ebert will face an uphill battle for a roster spot. Nonetheless, with Wes Welker holding out, it will be interesting to see if the Patriots see Ebert as a slot receiver.

Undrafted Free Agents: The Patriots have yet to officially announce their list of undrafted free agents, but it should include the likes of Marcus Forston, Jeremiah Warren and Brandon Bolden - all players who'll have a shot at making the roster.

With the NFL Draft nearly two weeks in the background, it's time to make our first 53 man roster prediction for the Patriots. Of course, this is way too early and will certainly change between now and the start of training camp, but lets give it a shot:

Quarterback (3): Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett

Analysis: The position remains stable for the second straight year.

Running Back (3): Stevan Ridley, Danny Woodhead, Shane Vereen

Analysis: After a strong preseason showing from Shane Vereen, it becomes apparent that the veteran Joseph Addai isn't needed in the backfield, making him a surprise final cut. Addai will obviously remain on speed dial in case of an injury.

Fullback (2): Tony Fiammetta, Spencer Larsen

Analysis: I'm admittedly biased here, having been a big fan of Fiammetta at Syracuse. I think he becomes the Patriots "every down" fullback, with an ability to contribute on special teams as well. The Patriots obviously value Spencer Larsen, and I see him making the team with a special teams role in mind (and therefore supplanting Tracy White).

Wide Receiver (7): Wes Welker, Brandon Lloyd, Jabar Gaffney, Deion Branch, Chad Ochocinco, Matt Slater, Julian Edelman

Analysis: The Patriots view Matthew Slater as a special teams player, and not a receiver. Ditto Julian Edelman, who will receive very few snaps, if any, at receiver in 2012. That being said, I think the Patriots will opt to keep five "true" receivers, considering the problems they've run into with depth at position the last couple of years. In that scenario, I see it coming down to a battle between Chad Ochocinco and Donte Stallworth for that final spot. Ochocinco is undeniably talented, and I think he's really going to give it his all this offseason to make the team.

Tight End (3): Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Daniel Fells

Analysis: The only question mark at this position is whether or not the team will opt to keep the third tight end, Daniel Fells. Considering the contract they gave him, I think they do intend to keep him. If that's the case, not much will change at this position in training camp.

Offensive Tackle (3): Nate Solder, Sebastian Vollmer, Marcus Cannon

Analysis: Marcus Cannon played left tackle in 2010 for ECU, but I have my doubts about his ability to play the position in the pros. The Patriots could very well be looking to add a swing tackle, with Matt Light recently announcing his retirement. If the Patriots don't add a swing tackle, I see them going with Solder, Vollmer, and Cannon at the position. Although, I wouldn't rule out Iowa UDFA Markus Zusevics from making the final roster.

Interior Line (5): Logan Mankins, Dan Koppen, Brian Waters, Dan Connolly, Ryan Wendell

Analysis: The big cut here is obviously Robert Gallery. I think Brian Waters will play for one more year, and he and Gallery are both one year options at the position. Gallery could play some RT, but the Patriots have Marcus Cannon to back up that spot. Ryan Wendell and Dan Connolly provide much more versatility at the position. Nick McDonald is another tough cut - he could make the squad over Gallery or Wendell.

Predictions for the Defense after the jump!

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Sports Illustrated has released a list of twelve potential "impact rookies" from the 2012 draft class who are "in the best spot to have immediate success" and help their teams win games - naming one player for each position. At defensive end, the article highlights Patriots' first round pick Chandler Jones."

New England will need to replace the double-digit sack production of departed free-agent end Mark Anderson, and it's unclear how much Andre Carter can still give come backing from a season-ending quadriceps injury. Jones is a natural pass rusher whom Bill Belichick will put in the right places to deliver in New England's versatile front seven. Don't be surprised if Jones leads all rookies in sacks."

Of course, we don't know yet whether or not Andre Carter will be back. But it doesn't seem out of the question, that considering the current state of pass rushing talent on the Patriots roster, that Jones will be asked to play a significant role as a rookie.

Today, the New England Patriots officially announced the re-signing of former Redskins, Broncos, and Texans wide receiver Jabar Gaffney. The move was first reported over the weekend.

Gaffney already has significant experience in the Patriots' offense, when he was the team's #3 wide receiver from 2006-2008. At 6'2" and 200 lbs, Gaffney brings some size to the Patriots receiving corps. He also represents a versatile option at the receiver position who already has an established rapport with quarterback Tom Brady.

The move also marks the fourth different veteran wide receiver the Patriots have signed this offseason, making for a very crowded depth chart at the position. Let's do a quick break-down after the jump:

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The New England Patriots have made their first of many cuts at the wide receiver position. According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Patriots have released wide receiver Tiquan Underwood. Underwood's agent has since confirmed the move.

This is a blow for Underwood, who became infamous in February for being released the day before the Super Bowl. Nonetheless, it is a move that's not exactly surprising considering the depth that the Patriots have at the receiver position. Since the end of the 2011 season, the Patriots have added the likes of Brandon Lloyd, Donte Stallworth, Jabar Gaffney, and Donte Stallworth to the roster via free agency. The also placed the franchise tender on Wes Welker, restructured Chad Ochocinco's contract, and re-signed veteran Deion Branch and special teams ace Matthew Slater.

Underwood didn't really produce much when he saw the field last year for New England, and considering the depth of veteran talent, was a very long shot to make the roster in 2012. By cutting him now, Underwood will receive the opportunity to catch on with some other wide receiver needy team.

There's some unfortunate news for Ravens fans this morning that could have a big impact on the entire AFC landscape for the 2012 season. NFL.com's Jason La Canfora is reporting that Baltimore Ravens DE/OLB has torn his Achilles Tendon, and will likely miss the entire 2012 season:

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs has torn his Achilles and will likely miss the 2012 season, a source with knowledge of the situation said Thursday.

Suggs was working out and doing drills in Arizona, which is his normal offseason plan. It's a huge blow for the pass-rush hungry Ravens, who will be without the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Suggs and the Ravens are one of the Patriots biggest rivals, and this is certainly a big blow to their defense, especially after losing another pass rusher, Jarrett Johnson, via free agency to the Chargers. Now, the team will likely have to rely on Paul Kruger, who has just 6.5 sacks in 36 career games as well as rookie Courtney Upshaw, who the team drafted in the second round of last week's draft.

While Suggs' injury could allow Patriots quarterback Tom Brady to get a little more sleep before the next Patriots vs. Ravens match-up, it certainly takes from the intrigue of the game, as Suggs was never shy in his criticism of Tom Brady and the Patriots. In 2012, the teams will play on national television week three on Sunday night in Baltimore.

Had the Patriots chose to re-sign wide receiver Randy Moss back in February, they would have been able to get the entire 2007 gang back together. In March, the team re-signed Donte Stallworth after stints with the Browns, Ravens, and Browns. Now, according to ESPN's Josina Anderson, Jabar Gaffney is reportedly set to return to the New England Patriots, texting Anderson that he is "going to the Patriots" and "planning on signing a deal soon."

This is big news for the Patriots, as Gaffney developed really good chemistry with quarterback Tom Brady during his three year stint with the team between 2006 and 2008, starting with Gaffney developing as a surprise go-to receiver for Brady during the 2006 playoffs. In 2007 and 2008, Gaffney was a very reliable #3 receiver behind Wes Welker and Randy Moss, but the Patriots chose to let him walk when he got a big contract offer from the Broncos in the 2009 offseason.

Now, Gaffney will return to a very crowded New England Patriots receiving corps that includes new additions Brandon Lloyd, Donte Stallworth, and Anthony Gonzalez, as well as 2011 hold-overs such as Wes Welker, Chad Ochocinco, Deion Branch, and Julian Edelman.

In 2011, Gaffney recorded career highs for the Redskins in catches (68), yards (947) and touchdowns (5).

According to Jason LaCanfora, the deal is for two years. We have yet to see the financial numbers, but that likely means that the Patriots view Gaffney playing a role on the team in 2012.

The Patriots have released the following statement on the death of future Hall of Fame linebacker Junior Seau:

"We were shocked to hear of the initial reports regarding Junior Seau earlier today and are deeply saddened by the news of his death. We were fortunate to have had Junior join the Patriots in 2006 and are thankful for his many contributions to the team over the next four years. He had a legendary NFL career and his unrivaled passion for the game quickly made him a fan favorite here in New England. This is a sad day for the entire Patriots organization, our coaches and his many Patriots teammates. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to his family and his many friends who will mourn this loss."

I'll always remember Seau for the pure emotion and energy he brought to the field. When the Patriots signed Seau out of mini-retirement in 2006, most people did not really expect much from him, as he had struggled to stay healthy for years in Miami following his Hall of Fame fame career in San Diego.

However, Seau managed to revitalize his career in four seasons with the Patriots. Although his 2006 season was cut short by a broken arm, he returned in 2007 and was a key part of the Patriots undefeated regular season, consistently making big plays despite losing a step in his athleticism.

In part-season stints with the team in 2008 and 2009, Seau wasn't as big of a contributor on the field as in years past. Yet he still managed to be an emotional leader for the team and even showed that he could make the occasional big play in the backfield.

When all is said and done, it's truly disheartening to learn of the loss of Seau. He was one of my favorite players of all-time, and I can only wish his family the best as they grieve their loss.

According to reports from Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com and Mary Paoletti of CSNNE, the New England Patriots have agreed to terms with veteran free agent defensive tackle Gerard Warren.

Warren, 33, has spent the last two seasons with the Patriots after spending the first nine years of his career with the Browns, Broncos, and Raiders. In 2010, Warren was a starter at left defensive end for the Patriots, playing 16 games with 10 starts, and recording 28 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Last season, Warren played in more of a reserve role at defensive tackle, recording 12 tackles and a sack. However, Warren saw his role increase in the playoffs when the Patriots switched back to the 3-4, recording seven tackles in three games.

While he is far from an elite player at this point in his career, Warren is still a solid player and big body who can contribute in the Patriots defensive line rotation and get after the quarterback occasionally. If the Patriots are in the 4-3, Warren can be a contributor as a defensive tackle in sub-packages and in the base. When the team goes to the 3-4, he can play just about any position along the defensive line.

While Warren isn't a guarantee to make the final roster, his signing is a solid move for the Patriots, as he adds experience and depth to the Patriots defensive line. His spot on the roster could come down to a competition with fourth year defensive lineman Ron Brace.

The Patriots have added a tight end to their undrafted free agent crop. According to WEEI's Christopher Price, the Nw England Patriots have signed former Iowa tight end Brad Herman to a rookie free agent contract.

At 6'4" and 252 lbs, Herman has solid size for the position, and also adds intriguing measurables. At his combine, Herman posted a 4.63 40 yard dash time and 36 inch vertical. He is reportedly an intelligent player and hard worker who is "scrappy" as a blocker. Pro Football Weekly had more on Herman in their pre-draft scouting report on him, summarizing him as a "raw, height-weight-speed prospect whose makeup and feel for the game do not run parallel with his unique athletic ability" whose "workout numbers will earn him a look as a developmental H-back/'move' tight end, but he failed to ascend as a senior with increased opportunity."

Sounds like intriguing competition for a practice squad spot.

The Patriots have reportedly added another rookie free agent, and it's another offensive lineman. According to Jack Bechta of the National Football Post, the New England Patriots have signed rookie free agent offensive lineman Markus Zuzevics of Iowa.

Zusevics, at 6'5" and 303 lbs, was a college tackle who could likely play guard as well in the NFL. He was considered by most to be a sixth or seventh round pick, but was unable to work out at the combine due to a pectoral injury. He's a lineman I really like. He's got decent length, good athleticism with the ability to get out to the second level on his blocks. He's smart but also can be physical and aggressive at the point of attack. When it comes to his technique, he's certainly got some work to go. However, working with Dante Scarnecchia at the Patriots coaching department should help him in that area.

Overall, Zusevics seems like a solid pick-up who could surprise some and compete for a roster spot, especially with the recent retirement of tackle Matt Light.

The Patriots have made their first undrafted rookie free agent signing of the year. According to Tom Curran of CSNNE, the New England Patriots have signed South Florida guard Jeremiah Warren.

This is a pretty solid signing for the Patriots, as Warren had late draftable value. At 6'3" and 324 lbs, Warren is stocky and strong but also has incredibly long arms and big hands which add to his physicality. While he can be a bit raw in his technique and isn't the most flexible as a blocker, Warren certainly has value as a reserve interior lineman and short area blocker that has the potential to compete for a roster spot or practice squad spot for the Patriots.

Find a scouting report on Warren after the jump!

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The 2012 NFL Draft is now officially in the books. Of course, that means that NFL teams are free to begin signing undrafted rookie free agents. The news of signings will come fast and furious, and we will be there to cover each signing as it happens. For now, feel free to use this thread to discuss players you would like to see the Patriots sign and to discuss the players they do pick up.

Personally, I'd like to see the team add a running back (Chris Polk?), a tall developmental receiver, a small school pass rusher, and a couple of big bodies for the defensive line. I'm always really excited about rookie free agent signings because you always know that the Patriots will sign a couple that end up making the 53 man roster. For now, we just have to wait to see who the Patriots pick up via the process!

2012 Patriots Undrafted Free Agent Signings:

Jeremiah Warren, OG, South Florida (Source: Tom Curran, CSNNE)

With their final pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots finally selected an offensive player. At pick 235 in the 7th round, the Patriots drafted Northwestern wide receiver Jeremy Ebert.

Ebert, at 5'11" and 200 lbs, has seen his stock skyrocket recently, following an exceptional pro day in which he posted a 40-yard dash time of 4.38, 10-yard split of 1.54, 20-yard shuttle of 4.15 and 3-cone drill of 6.7 seconds (would have ranked third of all receivers at combine). And it's not as if Ebert is just a workout warrior - he produced regularly at Northwestern, leading the team in receptions the last two years and recording 173 career tackles with the Wildcats.

Ebert is a solid route runner who played a lot out of the slot at Northwestern. With his below average height and strength, he'll probably play that role in the pros as well. So at this point, Ebert looks like a developmental slot receiver who will have a chance to at least make the practice squad. For the 235th pick, this seems like a solid pick-up for the Patriots.

Greg's Grade: B

With the 224th pick in the 7th round of the 2012 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots selected Alfonzo Dennard, the cornerback out of Nebraska.

At 5'10" and 204 lbs, Dennard was considered one of the top prospects at the cornerback position in the weeks and months leading up to the draft. However, Dennard was arrested for assaulting a police officer a week ago, and saw his stock plummet. Originally seen as a first or second round talent, Dennard had an average final season at Nebraska, before his recent off the field issues.

He's got excellent size and can excel in press man coverage. He's got good instincts, average ball skills, and despite only average athleticism (4.55) is fluid enough to mirror receivers off the line. He lacks length at the cornerback position, and of course, there are the off the field issues to consider.

Nonetheless, in the seventh round, this is a real low-risk, high-reward selection. If he can get his legal issues behind him, Dennard will offer the Patriots starting-caliber talent who can contribute immediately. Getting that kind of potential in the seventh round, even with the character risks, is something that has to excite Patriots fans.

Greg's Grade: A-

With the 197th pick in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots selected Ohio State defensive back and former standout rugby player Nate Ebner.

Yeah, I really don't know anything about this guy, and I highly doubt many people do. He's a former rugby player who played a few snaps at Ohio State, was a standout special teams player, and turned some heads at his Pro Day. Cleveland.com has a recent article on Ebner, which details his pursuit of his NFL dream:

Nate Ebner is listed as a safety but played just a handful of defensive snaps as a Buckeye. But after opening eyes at the school's pro day in March, Ohio State's best special teams player from a year ago is completely focused on taking a shot at the NFL and making an international rugby career just a backup plan.

Ebner was timed as fast as a 4.48 in the 40 at the pro day, showed his agility with a fast time in the three-cone drill and did well in the broad and vertical jumps. He figured he might do well at the tests, and what he proved is that at about 215 pounds, he could be a raw athlete with a lot of room for growth. That should make him worth a look as an across-the-board special teams player, either in the draft or in free agency. He has continued to talk with NFL teams since pro day.

So, this seems like nothing more than a developmental special teams pick. Based on Ebner's playing experience, he will likely have to spend a couple of years on the practice squad, but who really knows? I thought there were some other players left on the board that could have helped the team fill out some depth in the more immediate future. However, the pick of Ebner... is... well... interesting, to say the least. I feel like the Patriots could have picked him up as a free agent, but if they feel he could be the next Stephen Neal (in terms of changing sports), then maybe they felt the 6th round was the right time to pull the trigger. Greg's Grade: C-

Yesterday, I felt that the Patriots had gotten the short end of a trade with the Green Bay Packers, when they traded the 62nd pick in the second round for the 90th pick in the third round and 163rd pick in the third round. While on the clock with pick 163, the Patriots traded their fifth round selection back to the Packers, while picking up a trio of 6th and 7th round picks in the process.

The official trade is pick 163 (fifth round) for picks 197 (sixth round), 224 (seventh round) and 235 (seventh round). The Patriots have sacrificed the potential to take an impact player in the fifth round in order to get the opportunity to pick up multiple players with similar grades they may like in the 6th and 7th rounds. It's a trade I really like simply because a three-for-one swap is always good business in the latter portions of the draft.

For those wondering, this trade technically is a loss when it comes to the trade value chart, but that obviously showcases just how outdated the chart is.

Greg's Grade: A

Well, we've finally reached the third and final day of the 2012 NFL Draft. Thus far, the Patriots have selected four different players; defensive ends Chandler Jones and Jake Bequette, safety Tavon Wilson, and linebacker Dont'a Hightower. Now, the only pick they have remaining is in the fifth round, #163 overall.

While it doesn't appear to be an exciting day for the Patriots, there are still some good value players left on the board. Get the full run-down of best available players after the jump, courtesy of MockingtheDraft.com:

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A little while ago, we discussed how we felt the Patriots fared on day two of the 2012 NFL Draft. While personally, I thought it was a mixed bag, the national media reaction seemed to be a bit harsher to the Patriots' drafting performance. Here's the run down, starting by looking at a couple of draft "winners/losers" column.

Mel Kiper, ESPN Insider: Patriots a "Question Mark"

The Patriots actually filled some needs. And I think Bequette will be a solid player for them. His versatility is there, and I can see him as a stand-up pass-rusher. Wilson puzzles me a little on value. A month ago, when I released my draft guide, Wilson was the No. 26-ranked safety on my board. I know some coaches like him, but this is a player both I and colleague Todd McShay think could have been sitting there in the sixth round. These picks fit needs, but both are definite reaches to me.

Chad Reuter, NFL.com: Patriots stun, but not in a good way

New England's pick of Illinois safety Tavon Wilson was the most surprising pick in the second round since Oakland took safety Mike Mitchell with the 47th pick of the 2009 draft. Wilson was not invited to the combine and received little buzz heading into the draft, leading most to wonder if the Patriots maximized the value of that pick.

Nick O'Malley, WEEI: Patriots fall into "losers" category from a fan perspective

Just one day after trading up and getting a premier pass rush prospect and a highly ranked linebacker, the Patriots reverted to the ways of old by selecting two players most fans have never heard of, and trading down to do so. The Tavon Wilson pick blindsided a lot of fans and experts. This was supposed to be a weak class at safety - a position of need for the Patriots - but selecting a complete unknown at the position isn't exactly a crowd pleaser. The Pats' third round selection of Jake Bequette was also a bit of a buzzkill.

Some individual pick "grades" after the jump!

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Needless to say, many Patriots fans weren't as thrilled with day two of the 2012 NFL Draft as they were with day one. After selecting players that filled needs and could be categorized as the "best player available" at the time on Thursday night (Chandler Jones and Dont'a Hightower), the Patriots made some "questionable" decisions day two.

The "questionable" decisions started with the selection of Illinois safety Tavon Wilson in the second round, at 48th overall. Wilson has prototypical size-weight-speed for a free safety, has the versatility to play cornerback, and was productive his senior year, when as a captain, he recorded 83 tackles, one interception and a sack. According to various scouting reports, Wilson has been categorized as an instinctive player who can be valuable in run support, is disciplined in zone, and has room for improvement in man coverage.

Of course, it's easy to be critical of this pick. Wilson wasn't mentioned by many media outlets as one of the top safeties, he wasn't invited to the combine, and he was really only seen as a sixth or seventh round draft pick by most.

That means the selection was terrible, right?

Wrong. Lets put it this way: there's a reason why media members, such as myself, aren't evaluating tape and making decisions on which players a particular team should select - it's not our job. The Patriots have one of the best personnel evaluation departments in the NFL. When they studied Wilson, they saw a player who obviously graded very highly on their draft board. New England will never just draft a player to draft a player. They're not going to say: "Well, we've got this Tavon Wilson guy ranked in the sixth round, lets just take him here because we like him and only have two picks left." That's just not how it works. Think about the fan and media reaction to the Sebastian Vollmer selection in 2009. That selection "came out of nowhere," and now he's an All-Pro caliber tackle.

Of course, I'm not saying that the Wilson pick will turn out like the Vollmer one did. The Patriots are highly unlikely to find a player as good as Vollmer at any level. Nonetheless, Wilson fills an area of great need at safety and will be able to contribute immediately as a "big four" special teams player, and I'll trust Bill Belichick's evaluation of him more than I'd trust an evaluation of him from Mel Kiper, Todd McShay, or any other so called "draft expert." Greg's Grade: C

Analysis of the Patriots' trade and Jake Bequette selection after the jump!

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