Mystery Player Revealed: Patriots Sign Converted Defender As Receiver

The New England Patriots had their third organized practiced Thursday, and there was a new player wearing the No.72 jersey. The mystery player was soon recognized as converted defender and the Patriots signed him as receiver.

It’s undrafted rookie wide receiver Gunner Olszewski out of Division II’s Bemidji State. The Patriots added him to their active roster after the receiver participated as an invitee at New England’s rookie minicamp earlier this month.

The 5-foot-10, 178-pound wide receiver ran a 4.56-second 40-yard dash as well as a 6.88-second three-cone drill at his pro day. He was a rotational wide receiver and punt returner during the Patriots’ practice session. If Olszewski wants to make the active roster or the practice squad, he will have to be excellent in at least one phase of the game.

Olszewski has nice experience, and that could fit well in special teams. He returned 11 kickoffs for 327 yards and registered 69 punt returns for a combined 923 yards and a touchdown. He had great numbers in the kicking game during his four seasons with the Beavers, but his offensive numbers aren’t as good as you’d expect. Olszewski had one rushing attempt for -1 yard and zero receiving yards on zero catches and zero targets.

Olszewski was a defensive back until he joined the NFL as an undrafted rookie. During his senior season at Bemidji State, Olszewski was named the NSIC’s defensive player of the year. He fiished the 2018 season with 63 tackles and three interceptions. His future is probably all set on the offensive side of the ball and in the kicking part of the game.

The New England Patriots made a few wise choices during the 2019 NFL Draft, and head coach Bill Belichick did some great calculations. According to analysts, the Patriots had the best group of picks, and that’s pretty much everything you should know about their readiness to win another Super Bowl. Tom Brady is missing the OTAs, but he is on the field all the time. The Patriots are serious about winning, and they are looking forward to their next Lombardi Trophy.