Patriots Sign Four More Players to Reserve/Future Contracts

Earlier today and with their focus on to the 2016 season, the New England Patriots began signing members of their final 2015 practice squad to reserve/future contracts. Fullback Joey Iosefa, offensive lineman Chris Barker and safety Cedric Thompson were the first to sign.

Now, four more players have agreed to deals with the Patriots, according to ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss:

WR DeAndre Carter

CB Rashaan Melvin

OT Keavon Milton

FS Brock Vereen

The 22-year old Carter signed with the Patriots in mid-December after originally joining the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Sacramento State in 2015. After getting cut by the Ravens during final roster cuts, Carter joined the Oakland Raiders, with whom he spent two-and-a-half months before signing with New England.

Melvin joined the Patriots in October, after he was released by the Ravens and subsequently claimed on waivers by New England. The 26-year old, who went undrafted in 2013 and has also been part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins, appeared in eight games for the Patriots but was released in December. He was later added to the team's practice squad.

Like Melvin, 26-year old Keavon Milton went undrafted in 2013. After spending the first two years of his career with the New Orleans Saints, Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks, the offensive tackle joined the Patriots' practice squad in November.

Brock Vereen, whose brother Shane was an integral member of New England's Super Bowl XLIX-winning team, signed with the Patriots mid-November. The 23-year old was originally drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft but was released in late September 2015. After spending the next weeks on the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad, Vereen moved on to Foxboro to become a member of the Patriots' practice squad.

Of the Patriots' final nine practice squad members only two remain unsigned: running back Montee Ball and wide receiver J.J. Worton (who was arrested today and will probably not be back with the team).