The New England Patriots have reportedly come to an agreement with tight end Lee Smith, their fifth round pick in this year's draft. Smith joins fellow rookie Markell Carter as Patriots draft picks that have come to terms. The Patriots still have to come to terms with rookies Nate Solder, Ras-I Dowling, Shane Vereen, Stevan Ridley, Ryan Mallett, Marcus Cannon and Malcolm Williams.
Smith joins a very crowded group of tight ends for the Patriots, as he will join Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, and Alge Crumpler in the tight end corp. The 6-foot-6, 266-pound tight end was used primarily as a blocking tight end during his four years at the University of Marshall. As to where Smith fits on the team, Mike Reiss has more:
With Crumpler still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, the team's younger tight ends should receive plenty of quality repetitions in training camp. The Patriots carried three tight ends last season, but a scenario exists this year where they could bump the number to four, which would require trimming from elsewhere on the roster. (via ESPN Boston)
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