Patriots sign three more members of 2020 draft class
By Ty Anderson, 985TheSportsHub.com
Buried by the official release of the 2020 schedule, the New England Patriots doubled their group of signed 2020 draft picks late Thursday night, as the team agreed to terms on rookie deals for kicker Justin Rohrwasser, linebacker Cassh Maluia, and offensive lineman Justin Herron, according to the league’s transaction wire.
Selected with the No. 159 overall pick, making him the first kicker off the board in this year’s draft, Rohrwasser joins the Patriots after two standout seasons at Marshall after transferring from Rhode Island after the 2016 season.
The 6-foot-3 concluded his collegiate career makes on 18-of-21 field goals and 35-of-36 extra points in 2019. While not the most highly-touted prospect of the kicking group entering the draft, the Patriots were reportedly impressed with Rohrwasser’s ability to kick in poor weather, which will certainly come in handy in New England.
But Rohrwasser has had some controversy follow him to the Patriots, too, with a polarizing ‘Three Percenters” tattoo on his arm that he claims is not a representation of his values and will be covered up.
Maluia, meanwhile, will make the NFL jump with the Patriots after receiving All-Mountain West Conference honors as a senior for Wyoming last season. Before being drafted with the No. 204 overall pick, Maluia totaled 61 tackles and two interceptions in 13 games for the Cowboys, and departs the program with 198 tackles in 50 career contests.
The No. 195 overall selection in this year’s draft, Herron started all 13 games and was on the field for 1,017 offense snaps for the Demon Deacons last year. In addition to his role as an every-down player, Herron was named to the PFF ACC Team of the Week three separate times throughout the year. The 6-foot-5, 308-pound Herron, who suffered a torn ACL in 2018, exited the Wake Forest program with an invitation to the Senior Bowl, and after a school-record 51 starts.
Their respective agreements came just hours after the Patriots signed outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings and center Dustin Woodard, and just one day after the Patriots officially signed linebacker Josh Uche.
With six of their 10 draft picks signed, the Patriot will now have to get to work on rookie deals for safety Kyle Dugger, tight ends Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene, and Michigan offensive guard Michael Onwenu.
Ty Anderson is a writer and columnist for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Yell at him on Twitter: @_TyAnderson.
