Following what was largely considered a successful NFL Draft by the Patriots where Eliot Wolf and company prioritized the weaponizing of the offense (a defensive layer wasn’t selected until the sixth round in South Carolina cornerback Marcellas Dial), the time-honored tradition of bringing aboard UDFAs or undrafted free agents began.
This is an integral period for all teams, competing for and bidding on the services of some potentially valuable players who may have slipped through the draft cracks or just didn’t make the seven-round selection cut but still might be able to contribute at the highest level.
The Patriots have thrived in the UDFA season for decades, finding many players (Malcolm Butler, Jonathan Jones) on the post-draft waivers. In fact they had, up until last season, signed a UDFA to their active roster for a record 19 seasons up until the streak was broken during, of all things, “Malik Mania,” when fans were clamoring for more opportunities for QB Malik Cunningham from Louisville, who ultimately was signed away by the Baltimore Ravens. Shows you just what kind of state the offense was in last year.
Considering the emphasis during Rounds 1-7 on offense, it’s no surprise to see more defensive players signed and invited to Foxboro post-draft. Here are the 10 UDFAs set to compete for a spot on the big club this summer. First we’ll start with defense…
Jett Bush, LB, Texas - An undersized high motor linebacker, Bush did play at the biggest school of all the defensive UDFAs (five years experience for the Longhorns), and has one of the defensive highlights of the 2023 NCAA football season, a kick-pick-six!
Jontrey Hunter, LB, Georgia State - A three-year starter and All-Sun Belt Conference player in 2023, Hunter has experience at both inside and outside linebacker and is a sound tackler who likely will have to pursue a special teams path to the Pats.
John Morgan III, EDGE, Arkansas - Undersized for the defensive line, but still a big man (6-foot-2, 270 pounds), Morgan played for the University of Pittsburgh for five seasons before transferring to Arkansas in 2023, where he was very productive over 11 games, with four tackles for a loss, two sacks and a forced fumble.
Kaleb Ford-Dement, CB, Texas State - A smaller corner (5-foot-11, 178 pounds), Ford-Dement is fast (sub-4.5 40-yard dash) and very athletic, landing one of the higher RAS scores for a cornerback since they started testing in 1987.
Mikey Victor, CB, Alabama State - An HBCU alum, Victor bounced around from Ventura College to UNLV before sticking at Alabama State. He’s a bigger corner (6-foot-3, 212 pounds) who has a nose for the ball and brings a physical edge to the line of scrimmage.
Dell Pettus, S, Troy - A special teams standout (great way to make the club) with durability (61 straight starts at Troy), Pettus has secondary versatility at corner and safety, which given the Pats’ depth there could give him a chance to stand out. He’s also very grateful for the chance to compete and make the Pats.
And now for the offensive UDFAs…
DeShaun Fenwick, RB, Oregon State - An athletic bigger back (6-foot-2, 223 pounds), Fenwick averaged over five yards per carry and scored five rushing TDs in 2023, highlighted by a leaping touchdown versus Stanford.
Jacob Warren, TE, Tennessee - Warren has familiarity with new Pats sixth-round QB Joe Milton (and can likely attest to Milton’s cannon of an arm). He’s a big guy (6-foot6, 250 pounds) and is considered a high character player who scored four times on only 16 receptions in 2023.
Zuri Henry, OL, UTEP - Henry is a strong young man (26 reps at 225 pounds on the bench at the combine) who lacks experience but could potentially compete for a backup spot with his combination of size and strength. Could be a value signing for a team in need of tackle depth as he was the 40th ranked offensive tackle heading into the draft.
Charles Turner, OL, LSU - A center from Jayden Daniels’ high flying 2023 LSU offense, Turner has pro level size (6-foot-3 300 pounds) and is considered another extremely high character player with a lot of upside. Could compete with 2023 draft pick Jake Andrews for backup center duties.