The Patriots are starting to sign several free agents who will be brought in to Foxborough for rookie camp this weekend. Michigan State quarterback Brian Hoyer was the first name we found out about, but Monday morning, it was reported Kentucky safety Marcus McClinton, as well as Navy fullback Eric Kettani and wide receiver Tyree Barnes were also signed to deals by New England. (UPDATE — Annapolis newspapers are now reporting that Kettani and Barnes have NOT signed with New England.)

The Patriots don’t always get the free agents their after, however. Rutgers linebacker Kevin Malast decided to bypass New England in favor of a free-agent deal with Chicago, according to this report.

According to a report in the Detroit Free Press, the Patriots have signed former Michigan State quarterback Brian Hoyer to a free agent contract. Hoyer is a 6-foot-2, 216-pound signal-caller who started the last two seasons for the Spartans and finished his collegiate career with 35 touchdown passes, 23 interceptions and 6,159 passing yards.

Hoyer was hoping to have been selected in the NFL Draft this past weekend, but was encouraged by the number of inquiries he received. Considering the fact that he worked out privately for the Patriots before the draft, the news he’s with New England now is hardly a surprise.

“Pro football is a business, and just like plenty of college graduates out there, I found myself in need of a job. Fortunately I received a number of offers,” Hoyer said in a statement through his marketing representative, Wendell Robinson. “While it would have been great to get drafted, I’m looking forward to joining the New England Patriots. They made it clear to me that I’ll have an opportunity to compete, and I’m honored that such a great franchise will give me that chance.”

Thanks to the Philadelphia Eagles, here’s the transcript of Ellis Hobbs’ Q&A with the media from earlier today after his trade from New England:
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Thanks to the Patriots’ PR staff, here’s the complete Q&A between Bill Belichick and the local media at the conclusion of tonight’s draft.
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The Patriots have made their last scheduled pick of the weekend, and have come away with 12 players — the highest total of draftees of the Bill Belichick era.

The Patriots finished out the 2008 draft with the selections of Kent State’s Julian Edelman (No. 232) and Georgia Tech defensive lineman Darryl Richard (No. 234).

Edelman is an intriguing prospect who can be moved around a couple of different places in the offense. The 5-foot-11 195-pound Edelman started at Kent State as a quarterback, but some are viewing him as a potential “Wildcat” option in the pros because of his speed — he’s clocked a 4.46 in the 40. He also returned punts and played safety on the punt team, and several teams have worked him out as a wide receiver. More information on him can be found here.

Richard is a 6-foot-4, 290-pound defensive lineman who was a second-team All-ACC award winner as a senior. He bounced back from major knee surgery in 2005 to have a very successful collegiate career, finishing his senior season with 10 tackles for loss and four sacks. In his career with the Yellow Jackets, he registered 32 tackles for loss and 12.5 career sacks. Known as a true student-athlete, many believe he will likely have to put on some weight if he wants to succeed at the next level. Here’s a Q&A with Richard from a few years ago.

Now that the Patriots have submitted their final scheduled pick of the day, here’s a recap of New England’s draft board:

S Patrick Chung (Oregon), second round, 34th overall
DL Ron Brace (Boston College), second round, 40th overall
CB Darius Butler (Connecticut), second round, 41st overall
OL Sebastian Vollmer (Houston), second round, 58th overall
WR Brandon Tate (North Carolina), third round, 83rd overall
LB Tyrone McKenzie (South Florida), third round, 97th overall
OL Rich Ohrnberger (Penn State, fourth round, 123rd overall
OL George Bussey (Louisville), fifth round, 170th overall
LS Jake Ingram (Hawaii), sixth round, 198th overall
DL Marlon Pryor (Kentucky), sixth round, 207th overall
WR Julian Edelman (Kent State) sixth round, 232nd overall
DL Darry Richard (Georgia Tech), sixth round, 234th overall