The Patriots have announced the signing of 7th round draft pick Thomas Welch, a tackle out of Vanderbilt.
The reported deal is for four years:
Welch will battle for a job in training camp with a crowded group at tackle. There are three players there who started for long stretches in 2009 (Matt Light, Nick Kaczur, Sebastian Vollmer), and a fourth (Mark LeVoir) who got plenty of playing time.
What could help the 6-foot-7, 310-pounder would be if Kaczur's appearance at guard during minicamp last week is more than just a cameo at the position in Logan Mankins' absence.
Welch is just the third draft pick the Patriots have come to terms with. The Patriots also signed wide receiver Taylor Price (3rd round, Ohio) and center Ted Larsen (6th, NC State).
The following are draft picks that remain unsigned by the Patriots:
1st Round (27th Overall) – Devin McCourty, CB -- Rutgers
2nd Round (42nd) – Rob Gronkowski, TE -- Arizona
2nd Round (53rd) – Jermaine Cunningham, OLB -- Florida
2nd Round (62nd) – Brandon Spikes, LB -- Florida
4th Round (113th) – Aaron Hernandez, TE -- Florida
5th Round (150th) – Zoltan Mesko, P -- Michigan
7th Round (247th) – Brandon Deaderick, DL -- Alabama
7th Round (248th) – Kade Weston, DL -- Georgia
7th Round (250th) – Zac Robinson, QB -- Oklahoma State