The New England Patriots have locked in their rookie deals with their newest wide receiver, plus two others. Here are the details we know.

Headlining the most recent rookie contract agreements is wide receiver DeMario Douglas, whom the Patriots drafted with the 210th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Doug Kyed first reported Douglas’ signing with the Pats.

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  Nov 5, 2022; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Liberty Flames wide receiver Demario Douglas (3) returns a kick during the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Liberty won 21-19. Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

• As later reported by ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Douglas signed for four years and $3.97 million ($992,500 AAV).

  Kyed also reported that the Patriots have reached an agreement with punter Bryce Baringer, and later kicker Chad Ryland, locking up their two specialists from the 2023 draft class. Ryland signed for four years and $4,626,748, with a $786,748 signing bonus.

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  Feb 1, 2023; Mobile, AL, USA; National kicker Chad Ryland of Maryland (38) kicks with National punter Bryce Baringer of Michigan State (99) holding during the second day of Senior Bowl week at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

• According to Aaron Wilson, Baringer signed for four years and $4.018 million, with a $178,456 signing bonus.

  All three of Douglas, Ryland, and Baringer could make real impacts as rookies on special teams. Douglas returned 17 career kickoffs for Liberty with a 21.6-yard average, including 14 kick returns in 13 games as a junior. Ryland and Baringer each have competition on the Patriots roster in veteran kicker Nick Folk and 27-year-old punter Corliss Waitman, but have the upside of long-term No. 1 options.

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• It’ll be interesting to see what happens with Ryland and Baringer, in particular, considering the camp competition we’ll have at their positions. Douglas, meanwhile, could make headway as a pure slot receiver, but he likely has a long way to go in the eyes of head coach Bill Belichick.

  We’ll continue to keep you updated on the Patriots’ draft pick signings here at 985TheSportsHub.com. They also recently signed fellow receiver Kayshon Boutte and one of their three offensive linemen.

• Click here for complete New England Patriots coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

  Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.

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