Patriots draft picks Marcellas Dial, Joe Milton III and Jaheim Bell become first to sign rookie contracts

In addition, nine undrafted free agents signed their contracts on Friday.

As rookie minicamp got underway at Gillette Stadium, three selections got under contract.

The New England Patriots announced Friday that cornerback Marcellas Dial, quarterback Joe Milton III and tight end Jaheim Bell have signed their rookie deals.

The products of South Carolina, Tennessee and Florida State got the call on the final afternoon of the 2024 NFL draft. The war room’s last picks now stand as the first on the books with four-year, slotted pacts.

Dial, 23, landed in the sixth round at No. 180 overall as New England’s lone defensive draft investment. The 6-foot, 190-pound corner began his career at Georgia Military College and went on to appear in 38 games at South Carolina, starting 29. His time in the SEC spanned 114 tackles and 31 passes defended to go with one sack, one forced fumble and three interceptions en route to the East-West Shrine Bowl.

Milton, 24, arrived in the Patriots’ plans in the sixth round at No. 193 overall. The 6-foot-5, 246-pound quarterback started his run at Michigan and finished it at Tennessee. Through 43 appearances and 21 starts, the Reese’s Senior Bowl participant and former Orange Bowl MVP completed 400-of-650 passes for 5,353 yards with 37 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He added 12 touchdowns on the ground.

Bell, 22, brought New England’s draft class to a close in the seventh round at No. 231 overall. The 6-foot-2, 241-pound flex tight end transferred from South Carolina to Florida State in 2023. From there, Bell appeared in 13 games, including nine starts, and caught 39 passes for 503 yards and two touchdowns for the Seminoles. Second-team All-ACC honors followed along with the fourth rushing touchdown of his collegiate career.

In addition, the Patriots made the signings of nine undrafted free agents official to begin the weekend.

The organization’s agreements with running back DeShaun Fenwick, tight end Jacob Warren, offensive tackle Zuri Henry, center Charles Turner, defensive end John Morgan, linebacker Jontrey Hunter, cornerbacks Kaleb Ford-Dement and Mikey Victor, plus safety Dell Pettus had been reported in April.

Rookie minicamp in Foxborough runs through Sunday.