Few if any teams in the NFL are as successful at finding diamonds in the rough as the New England Patriots. Through the years, numerous of their core contributors have come from the ranks of undrafted free agents — from center David Andrews, defensive tackle Adam Butler and punter Ryan Allen, to cornerbacks Malcolm Butler, Jonathan Jones and J.C. Jackson.
In 2021, however, the Patriots have been taking a different approach to rookie free agency. More than two weeks into the signing period, and with the first-year players’ minicamp already in the books, the team has signed just one unselected player: Michigan place kicker Quinn Nordin is the only undrafted rookie currently on New England’s roster.