New England reached agreements Saturday with second-round draft pick Chad Jackson and sixth-round choice Jeremy Mincey, leaving the Patriots with three unsigned draft choices as training camp approaches.
Getting Jackson's deal done before the start of camp was crucial. Considered a potential first-round pick and a likely starter for the Patriots, Jackson was considered a steal with the 36th pick in the draft. The 21-year-old Jackson caught 88 passes last season for Florida and wowed scouts with his times at the Indianapolis combine.
Jackson agreed to a four-year deal. Financial terms were not available.
Jackson is expected to join Deion Branch in the starting lineup at wide receiver, but there is some question about whether Branch will be a holdout.
Mincey, 22, agreed to a three-year deal. He is the first of the Patriots' seven draft choices signings to get a contract that wasn't a four-year deal. Financial terms also were not available.
Mincey, a linebacker, played 24 games for Florida in the past two seasons. He had five sacks and one interception in those games.
John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.