Justin Coleman earned a new contract after his successful rookie campaign.
The Patriots plan to tender Coleman as an exclusive-rights free agent, a source told NESN.com on Monday. The move was expected after Coleman earned the Patriots’ slot cornerback role as an undrafted free agent in 2015.
Coleman, a Tennessee product, signed with the Minnesota Vikings as a rookie free agent last May. He was waived at the end of training camp and signed by the Patriots on Sept. 4. The Patriots released him the next day, and he signed to the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad Sept. 7. The Patriots then signed him off the Seahawks’ practice squad Sept. 9.
Coleman stayed on the Patriots’ roster the entire season despite a hand injury and concussion.
Coleman allowed 18 receptions on 36 targets for 247 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games while playing primarily in the slot. Including Coleman, the Patriots have just four cornerbacks on their roster: starters Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan and 2015 seventh-round draft pick Daryl Roberts.
The Patriots also plan to tender exclusive-rights free agent offensive tackle Cameron Fleming, a source told MassLive.com’s Kevin Duffy on Sunday. The Patriots are working on a contract extension with restricted free-agent fullback James Develin, a source told the Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe on Monday. Exclusive-rights free-agent wideout Josh Boyce is in the Patriots’ plans for 2016, the Providence Journal’s Mark Daniels reported Monday.
UPDATE (2 p.m. ET):Â The Patriots also plan to tender exclusive rights free-agent linebacker/defensive back Brandon King, a source told NESN.com on Monday. King was a special-teams standout as a rookie in 2015 after going undrafted out of Auburn.
Thumbnail photo via Mark L. Baer/USA TODAY Sports Images
