Patriots Sign Full Draft Class After Bailey Zappe Inks Deal

FOXBOROUGH, MA — The New England Patriots have signed Bailey Zappe to his rookie contract. This means the team has come to agreements with all draft picks in the 2022 class.

Patriots rookies Zappe, Cole Strange and Tyquan Thornton were the last to sign, and the team officially announced the moves late last week.

Read more: Patriots Sign Top 2022 Draft Picks Cole Strange, Tyquan Thornton

Strange, a mauling lineman from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, was selected with pick 29 in this years draft. Considered a reach by many draft experts, Strange is a contender to start the year at one of the two guard spots.

Thornton, also considered a reach by draft experts, ran the fastest 40-yard dash at this year's NFL Scouting Combine with a time of 4.28 seconds. With a deep, but not star-laden, receiving room, Thornton has a chance to compete for playing time in his rookie year.

Zappe had a great season at Western Kentucky, but was drafted to fill a backup role behind rising starter Mac Jones. In the action Zappe will see in the preseason, fans can expect an accurate facilitator under center, but arm strength leaves something to be desired.