Patriots Sign Their 1st Two Rookies From Draft Class Of 2012

It sure doesn't feel like football season (mostly because that's months away) but the truth is that the New England Patriots have already begun preparations for the 2012 season as they try and defend their AFC championship from last season.

After the first rookie minicamp last weekend in Foxborough, the Patriots signed their first rookies from the 2012 draft class: wide receiver Jeremy Ebert and defensive back Tavon Wilson.

Wilson, the 2nd round pick (No. 48 overall) out of Illinois, inked a four-year deal worth $4.2 million with a $1.5 million signing bonus. Ebert, the 7th round selection (235th overall) signed a four-year deal with a maximum value of $2.148 million.

Of these two guys, clearly Wilson has a much better shot of seeing significant playing time in his rookie season since New England's secondary has been a mess for years. Ebert is a much longer shot since the wide receiving corps is so deep, filled with much bigger names and resumes. If anything, he appears to be a slightly better Julian Edelman or maybe just Wes Welker insurance. Whatever the case, he better be ready to play special teams if he wants to make this squad.

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