Patriots Sign 2 Draft Picks, 12 Rookie Free Agents

The New England Patriots have signed fifth-round draft pick Lee Smith and sixth-rounder Markell Carter. Smith caught 75 passes in 48 games as a tight end at Marshall. Carter, a linebacker from Central Arkansas, had 16 1/2 sacks in four seasons.

The Patriots also signed 12 rookie free agents - offensive linemen Mike Berry of Auburn, Kyle Hix of Texas and Corey Woods of Akron; tight end Will Yeatman of Maryland; wide receiver Jeremy Ross of California; defensive ends Aaron Lavarias of Idaho, Clay Nurse of Illinois and Alex Silvestro of Rutgers; linebackers Ryan Coulson of Nevada, Anthony Leonard of West Virginia and Jeff Tarpinian of Iowa, and kicker Chris Koepplin of Massachusetts.

The Patriots reinstated wide receiver Tyree Barnes and running back Eric Kettani from the reserve military list.