Patriots Release Former Second-Round Pick

The New England Patriots are cutting ties with a former second-round pick. Head coach Bill Belichick is rebuilding the roster and he is now releasing players he doesn’t need. Kicker Roberto Aguayo left the Patriots on Thursday. The team is entering training camp with veteran Nick Folk and undrafted free agent rookie Quinn Nordin.

Patriots to replace the second-round pick

Aguayo, 27, joined the Patriots on Dec. 26, 2020. Belichick brought him to camp to compete with Folk and Justin Rohrwasser. The Patriots cut Rohrwasser earlier this year, and Aguayo is out too.

In 2016, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Aguayo in the second round. He was the 59th overall pick. Aguayo played in every game in his rookie campaign and had great moments. The team selected him for a reason and there was a really great plan for him.

Unfortunately, Aguayo struggled with inconsistencies and the Bucs released him in 2017. He spent some time with the Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers, and Los Angeles Chargers. The kicker was out of football from Sept. 2018 until Belichick signed him two years later.

Folk and Nordin seem to be enough for Belichick. The Patriots head coach watched both players on the practice field, and Folk did an incredible job.

Nordin struggled with accuracy in college, but his legs are pretty strong.

Zack Cox from ESPN took to Twitter to make some comments on the competition between Nordin and Folk.

“UDFA Quinn Nordin can kick the hell out of the ball. One of his field goals yesterday landed on top of a building next to the practice field. With Roberto Aguayo gone, it’ll be Nordin vs. Nick Folk for the kicker job in camp.”

Nordin made just 72.4% of his field-goal attempts in college. The kicker will have to improve if he wants to make the 53-man roster.

New England is entering the new season with a lot of talented players. Belichick signed great veterans in free agency and selected a few talented players in the 2021 NFL Draft. He has enough weapons to make the playoffs in 2021.