Weston becomes third Georgia DL to sign NFL deal
Former UGA defensive lineman Kade Weston has signed a four-year deal with the New England Patriots, just in time for the opening of training camp on Sunday.
The contract is worth $1.83 million, with standard base salaries of $320,000, $405,000, $490,000 and $575,000 and a fourth-year escalator clause that can significantly boost the maximum value of the deal, according to National Football Post writer Aaron Wilson. The 7th-round pick got a signing bonus of nearly $40,000, Wilson reports.
A 6-5, 316-pounder from New Jersey, Weston started 10 games as a senior and finished his career with 78 tackles and four sacks. An interior tackle at Georgia, Weston projects as an end in New England's 3-4 scheme.
Weston told the Patriots' official Web site that his battle for playing time with fellow 2010 draft picks Geno Atkins and Jeff Owens prepared him well.
"You can never stop getting better," he said. "So I'm going to be working on everything. My hands. Better footwork. Pad level. Everything. For me, I think it's just the all-around game and getting everything better.
"I'm looking forward to coming there and showing them what I've got."
The Cincinnati Bengals have signed Atkins, a fourth-round pick, while the Philadelphia Eagles have signed Owens, a seventh-rounder.