By Shalise Manza Young, Globe Staff

The Patriots have announced that they've signed their first overall pick, defensive end Chandler Jones.

Financial terms of the contract are not yet known, but under the new CBA, rookie contract for first-round players are for four years in length, with a team option for a fifth.

Jones, a 6-foot-5 pass-rusher out of Syracuse, was the 21st pick in the draft after New England traded up six spots to take him.

There are now just two Patriots draft picks unsigned: Dont'a Hightower, the 27th overall pick, and third-rounder Jake Bequette.

Patriots punter Zoltan Mesko will be our guest at noon on Wednesday to talk about football and his upcoming charity fundraiser, ZoliOke, on June 9.

For ticket info about ZoliOke, which will be held June 9 at Royale in Boston and benefits Children's Hospital Boston, go here.

With media scheduled to watch Thursday's on-field organized team activity, the Patriots have released a current roster, which includes jersey numbers for all players currently under contract:

2 K Chris Koepplin
3 K Stephen Gostkowski
8 QB Brian Hoyer
10 WR Jabar Gaffney
11 WRJulian Edelman
12 QB Tom Brady
13 WR Matt Rooark
14 P Zoltan Mesko
15 QB Ryan Mallett
16 WR Anthony Gonzalez
17 WR Britt Davis
18 WR Matthew Slater
19 WR Donte' Stallworth
21 CB Ras-I Dowling
22 RB Stevan Ridley
23 CB Marquice Cole
24 CB Kyle Arrington
25 S Patrick Chung
26 CB Will Allen
27 DB Tavon Wilson
28 S Steve Gregory
29b DB Sterling Moore
29w RB Joseph Addai
30 S Josh Barrett
31 S Sergio Brown
32 CB Devin McCourty
34 RB Shane Vereen
35 DB Ross Ventrone
36 RB Eric Kettani
37 CB Alfonzo Dennard
38 RB Brandon Bolden
39 RB Danny Woodhead
41 DB Malcolm Williams
42 FB Tony Fiammetta
43 DB Nate Ebner
45 LB Dont'a Hightower
46 FB Spencer Larsen
47 LB Mike Rivera
48 LS Danny Aiken
49 LB Markell Carter
50 LB Rob Ninkovich
51 LB Jerod Mayo
52 LB Dane Fletcher
53 LB Jeff Tarpinian
54 G Brian Waters
55 LB Brandon Spikes
58 LB Tracy White
59 LB Bobby Carpenter
60b DE Aaron Lavarias
60w OL Jeremiah Warren
61 OL Marcus Cannon
62 OL Ryan Wendell
63 C Dan Connolly
64 OL Donald Thomas
65w OL Nick McDonald
65b DL Marcus Forston
66b DE Jake Bequette
66w T Markus Zusevics
67 C Dan Koppen
68w OL Matt Kopa
68b DE Justin Francis
69b DE Alex Silvestro
69w OL Kyle Hix
70 G Logan Mankins
71 DL Brandon Deaderick
72 OL Robert Gallery
74b DL Kyle Love
74w OL Jon Opperud
75 DL Vince Wilfork
76 T Sebastian Vollmer
77 Nate Solder
80 WR Jeremy Ebert
81 TE Aaron Hernandez
82 TE Brad Herman
83 WR Wes Welker
84 WR Deion Branch
85 WR Chad Ochocinco
86 TE Daniel Fells
87 TE Rob Gronkowski
88 WR Brandon Lloyd
90 LB Niko Koutouvides
91 DL Myron Pryor
92 DL Gerard Warren
94 DL Marcus Harrison
95 DE Chandler Jones
96 LB Jermaine Cunningham
97 DL Ron Brace
98 DE Jonathan Fanene
99 LB Trevor Scott

Patriots owner Robert Kraft is in Atlanta today for some NFL spring meetings, and spoke with NFL Network about Wes Welker and the receiver's contract status.

"Well, we'd like to see him be a Patriot for life, but it takes two sides," Kraft said. "We're just happy he’s back in the system. He’s a wonderful young man, and a special guy. I think both sides would like to do a deal, but it requires intelligence and putting our team first."

Kraft has said on several occasions that he'd like Welker to be a "Patriot for life," and expressed his fondness for the receiver. It also is not a surprise to hear him say New England will put the team first when it comes to a contract.

Welker has shown his willingness to put the team first throughout his time with the Patriots, most recently in his signing of his franchise tender without a long-term deal on the horizon, saying he loves the game and his teammates and that's why he signed last week. He is with the team this week as it begins on-field organized team activities.

But he's wavered when it comes to taking a stand, saying on ESPN a few weeks ago that he felt as though he deserved a long-term deal and might not sign his tender in time to take part in the June mini-camp, and then last week said to the Boston Herald that contract negotiations had "gotten worse" when his agents were in Foxborough trying to hammer out a deal with Patriots' brass.

At his football camp on Saturday, Welker backpedaled from those statements, saying it was a bad choice of words to characterize things as worse. The Globe reported that Welker's public statements did not go over well with the team.

Asked about the Patriots being disappointed, Kraft said, "Anyone can say whatever they want. He’s done a great job for us, we’re always trying to do whatever we can do to put our team in the best position to win, that means balancing a lot of things, understanding what the cap is, what the cap growth is, how things fit in the system and we try to have values for every position and every player."

In other words, Welker is just the latest high-profile Patriots player who finds himself in this position when it comes to contract talks.

Matt Light did the Tour de Bristol on Monday, stopping by numerous radio and television programs on the ESPN campus.

During "NFL Live," he played a game of "Patriots Percentages" and was asked a variety of questions pertaining to his now-former team.

Here are the questions Light was asked, along with his answers:

Percentage chance Tom Brady plays for 10 more years…
One hundred percent. If you said 20 years, I’d probably give you 100 percent. I mean, they’re going to have to cart him off. … He could be playing to 55, maybe even 60.

Percentage chance Bill Belichick wins another Super Bowl…
We’ll go 50-50. The one thing that you hear from a lot of guys that come in from other organizations is that ‘I just wanted to come here because I just want a shot at winning.’ I think they bank on the fact that because of the system and the dedication of the coaching staff, the owner and everything else, they’re going to have that opportunity. So, each year 50-50.

Percentage chance of Wes Welker signing a long-term deal before the season starts …
Can we say zero on that? That’s a tough one. Let’s go with five percent.

Percentage of caveman in tight end Rob Gronkowski…
A solid 87. It’s a good caveman.

Percentage chance of Light returning to the football field…
Zero percent. Not in a bad way but when you close the door, it’s always good to keep walking.

Earlier in the day, Light revealed that he'd undergone 14 surgeries in his career, and he also talked about Brady trying to talk him out of retiring:

“It was interesting. For a guy like him, he’s not going to ever walk away," Light said. "He doesn’t see anything but the next phase in his career and how he can get himself better and all that. I was like that for a long time too, but really the conversation between he and I, it was basically to say, ‘hey man, I’d love to keep you. What can I do to get you to come back? But at the end of the day, if you are comfortable in your decision, I’m with you buddy.’ … He offered up candy and things that would tempt a fat man like myself but ultimately I think he’s cool with letting me go, and they have good guys to fill my shoes."

The Patriots and sixth-round pick Nate Ebner have reached a contract agreement, the team has announced.

Ebner, a defensive back out of Ohio State, is a former rugby player who walked on for the Buckeyes and didn't really have designs on a possible shot at the NFL until a standout pro day.

He gained a measure of notoriety after the Patriots made him the 197th pick in this year's draft, since he played less than a handful of snaps on defense his final season at Ohio State (he was very good on special teams). But film of him on the rugby pitch sporting a full beard on YouTube helped endear him to fans.

New England also announced that Wes Welker has signed his franchise tender, which was first reported last Tuesday and confirmed by Welker himself. There was no statement from the organization on the release about Welker's return.

By Greg A. Bedard, Globe Staff

PEABODY -- Patriots receiver Wes Welker demonstrated a very good backpedal when he played defensive back against players at his camp Saturday morning at Bishop Fenwick High School.

It got better in front of the media.

Welker backtracked from comments he made two days ago to the Boston Herald in which he voiced his frustration that talks over a new contract with the Patriots had "gotten worse."

Today? Everything's fine and dandy.

"That was probably a bad choice of words saying they’ve gotten worse," Welker said. "They’ve stayed the same. I’m franchised for the year and I’m completely happy with that and completely OK with it. I look forward to contributing to the team in 2012.

"I’m not frustrated whatsoever. I know the words that came out probably seemed that way but I’m not frustrated at all. I’m making five times what I did last year so there’s no frustration here."

Welker also said that his tweet proclaiming a "leap of faith" after he signed his $9.5 million guaranteed franchise tag also wasn't the brightest idea.

"I don’t know, probably not the wisest choice of words," Welker said. "Sometimes you react on emotions every once in a while and it gets the best of you. I’m just excited to be on the team and help my team win."

Welker's comments fall in line with the Globe's report on Friday that the Patriots were not thrilled with Welker's decision to take the negotiations public. His comments today were an obvious attempt at damage control to put both sides back on good terms towards a deal.

Does he ever think that 2012 could be his last season with the Patriots?

"No, I don’t forsee that happening and I just take it a day at a time," Welker said.

Posted this on Twitter earlier, but - the Patriots hosted free agent TE Dallas Clark in Foxborough on Tuesday, according to a league source.

The former Colt, who spent nine years in Indianapolis before getting his release earlier this year, played in just 17 games over the last two seasons due to a wrist injury in 2010 and broken fibula last year. He will be 33 in June.

The Patriots obviously have Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez already at the position, and also signed former Bronco Daniel Fells earlier in the offseason.

But before anyone starts conjuring up four tight end sets, my understanding is that New England was mostly doing due diligence by having Clark come for a visit.

By Shalise Manza Young, Globe Staff

As we all know by now, few things get more attention and create more discussion, particularly online, than creating a list. NFL writer Pete Prisco, who is a senior columnist for CBSsports.com, took on the difficult task of creating his own list of the top 100 players in the league, with his list posted this week.

Prisco places five Patriots in his top 100, and not surprisingly, four of them are from the offensive side of the ball:

2. QB Tom Brady - There are no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Just keep him away from the New York Giants.

10. TE Rob Gronkowski - He emerged as the league's best tight end in 2011 and there's no reason why he can't be even better. He's too fast for linebackers and too strong for safeties.

30. DT Vince Wilfork - He is a wide load in the middle of the New England defense. But he's also much quicker than his body would make you think. Wilfork is so athletic he moves around the New England line.

42. WR Wes Welker - He is the prototypical slot receiver, a vital part of the New England passing game. What would the New England offense be without him?

87. G Logan Mankins - He had a bad Super Bowl, playing on a torn ACL, but he is a mauler when healthy.

Additionally, TE Aaron Hernandez was named as one of 10 players who "just missed" getting a spot on Prisco's ranking.

If you're wondering who Prisco picked ahead of Brady, it's Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers. Last year, Prisco had Brady and Peyton Manning tied for the league's best.

The Patriots and seventh-round draft pick Alfonzo Dennard agreed to a four-year contract, a league source said.

Dennard, a cornerback out of Nebraska, fell in the draft after being arrested just days before the draft for allegedly assaulting a police officer outside a bar in Lincoln, Neb. He was considered by many to be no worse than a third-round pick before his arrest.

He is the third member of the Patriots' draft class to sign, following Tavon Wilson and Jeremy Ebert.

By Steve Silva, Boston.com Staff

It doesn't look like a long-term deal between the Patriots and wide receiver Wes Welker will be coming anytime soon.

Welker, who signed a $9.5-million franchise tender earlier this week, said that talks with the team have taken a turn for the worse, according to the Boston Herald.

“There have been talks, but nothing that’s brightened anything at all,” Welker told the Herald's Karen Guregian. “It’s actually gotten worse.”

According to Welker, the Patriots have reduced the two-year, fully guaranteed $16-million offer that was originally on the table in 2011.

Welker said he signed the $9.5 million tender early because he didn't want to miss any preparation for next season.

“If they see me out there at OTAs and minicamps and everything else, and I’m still out there winning and doing what I need to do to help the team win, you know what, the ball’s in their court to make something happen,” Welker said. “That’s kind of my mindset. To go out and show them I deserve it...”

“The ball’s in their court. I just want to play,” he said. “At the end of the day, if it’s one year, $9.5 million, it’s one year, $9.5 million. I’m good with that.”

FOXBOROUGH - Spencer Larsen, one of the many free agents the Patriots have signed this offseason, said on Thursday that he is focused on fullback for now - though with his history, that could change.

During his days with Denver, where he was a sixth-round draft pick in 2008, Larsen played fullback and also linebacker. In a November game against the Falcons his rookie season, he started on both offense and defense, and played special teams.

"It was a fun time in my career; we got into some injury trouble at linebacker, I'd been playing fullback for a few weeks and we ran into some injury problems and I needed to play linebacker that day against Atlanta," Larsen said.

"It was just one of those exciting days -- I didn't play a whole lot on offense that day, as a fullback you come in and out, so it wasn't 100 percent taxing, but it was a good day's work."

Given that last year alone Matthew Slater and Julian Edelman both saw snaps on offense and defense, it may not be long until Larsen finds himself carrying two playbooks around the team facility.

For now, though, he is content to compete at fullback with Tony Fiammetta, and contribute to the Patriots any way he can. The return of his former head coach Josh McDaniels to New England likely played a role in his being signed here, and Larsen knows McDaniels does still use players in that position.

"I think just being with Josh in the past, he just likes to have options. Coach McDaniels, being with him in Denver, he just likes to have different things that he can do week to week, so who knows," he said. "I don't think any of us knows what's going to happen at that position, you just need to work and get better and let that thing happen naturally."

Larsen is excited to be with the Patriots, particularly since he revealed that he hasn't been part of a winning football team since his junior year of high school in his home state of Arizona. That unfortunate streak will likely end this year.

In addition to his history with McDaniels, Larsen also knows two of his new teammates fairly well: he was a senior at the University of Arizona when Rob Gronkowski was a freshman, and he played with Brandon Lloyd with the Broncos.

Even at that young age, Larsen could tell Gronkowski had potential.

"Just incredible -- you've never seen a guy like that. Big, strong -- I swear he looked like he does right now as a freshman coming out of high school. I couldn't imagine what he did in high school. But he was a good player," Larsen said. "He's one of those guys that come around and you feel like, 'man, he's going to be special.' And so far he's proved that."

As for Lloyd, Larsen called him an "incredible athlete" but will have to prove himself with the Patriots just like everyone else.

A league source confirms that the Patriots and seventh-round draft pick Jeremy Ebert have agreed to a four-year contract.

Ebert, a receiver out of Northwestern, was the 235th pick in the draft; last fall, he pulled in 75 receptions for 1,060 yards and 11 touchdown receptions for the Wildcats' no-huddle offense.

Aaron Wilson of scout.com reported that Ebert's deal is worth a total of $2.148 million.

Ebert is the second of the Patriots' seven draft picks under contract.

Former NFL scout Daniel Jeremiah is now writing for NFL.com, and today posted an article on the 10 best players under the age of 25 in the league.

Not surprisingly, Patriots' TE Rob Gronkowski made the cut.

Jeremiah writes this of the 23-year old, who set new records for touchdowns and receiving yards by a tight end in 2011:

The word "Beast" is grossly overused in today's sports vernacular. However, in Gronk's case, there is no better term to describe him. In just his second season, he established himself as the best tight end in the NFL. He hauled in 90 balls for 1,327 yards and 17 TDs (a record for tight ends). He had multiple TDs in seven different regular season games. He has ideal size, speed and hands. His ability to use his frame to wall-off defenders on third down is a huge luxury for Tom Brady. I'd also rank him as the second best red-zone target in the NFL behind only Detroit's Calvin Johnson.

The 49ers' excellent young defense landed two players in the top 10: DE Aldon Smith and LB NaVorro Bowman.

By Shalise Manza Young, Globe Staff

Colleague Greg A. Bedard, citing a league source, reports that receiver Wes Welker has signed his franchise tender.

UPDATE: Welker announced on his Twitter feed that he did sign, writing: "I signed my tender today. I love the game and I love my teammates! Hopefully doing the right thing gets the right results. #leapoffaith"

For the moment, Welker will receive a one-year, fully guaranteed $9.515 million for the 2012 season, though he and the team could still negotiate a different, longer-term deal.

Signing the deal represents quite a change for Welker, who last month on NFL Network said he was "in no rush" to sign his tender, and two weeks ago said on ESPNBoston radio that he was leaning toward not taking part in the team's June mini-camp.

Now, he can take part in OTAs, which begin next Monday, as well as the mini-camp.

But Welker showed that he had softened from his harder stance during a WEEI interview yesterday, saying he had "$9.5 million reasons" not to miss any regular-season games. By signing now, not will he not miss a regular-season game, Welker won't even miss any shorts-and-t-shirts throwing camps.

By league rule, the two sides have until July 15 to work out a contract; after that, Welker must play the coming season under the franchise tag contract.

Opinion

Signing now is definitely a leap of faith for Welker, who is on the record as saying that he thinks he deserves a long-term deal. On the Patriots' part, the incentive to try to get something done is pretty much gone now that Welker decided not to withhold his services, which was really the only leverage he had. The team has the space under the salary cap to carry the full $9.515 million, and can franchise him again next year, though at a cost of over $10 million. However, Welker did come back from his ACL surgery in early 2010 very quickly, has been underpaid for several seasons, and is a trusted target for Tom Brady, which could help him get what he wants.

Receiver Donte' Stallworth is back with the Patriots, five years after his first stint with the team, and on Tuesday said the allure of returning to the postseason and the friends he still has in New England made signing here an easy decision.

"Being here, it's obviously a special place and I've always had a lot of respect for Mr. (Robert) Kraft and really the whole organization and a lot of the players here," he said. "Still got a lot of friends on the team, so I just thought that it made a lot of sense for me to come back here and try to help this team win some ballgames."

While his return may have a ring of familiarity - Tom Brady is still here, as is Wes Welker and now Jabar Gaffney and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels - Stallworth said the 2007 season was long ago.

"A lot has changed since then and within that process last year, being with the Redskins, (who) didn't make the playoffs, that's something that I wanted to have an opportunity with me getting a little older and up in age, just wanting to have an opportunity to put a championship at the end of my name and I think we're one of many teams that has an opportunity to do that this year," Stallworth said.

Walking back into the Patriots' locker room, Stallworth needed a period of adjustment.

"It was interesting. It was a little weird feeling. It was kind of surreal," he said. "But honestly, I think it took about a week or so to get adjusted and to really realize that, hey, I really am back; it's not just a dream. It's been good being back and seeing a lot of the same, familiar faces -- friendly faces. So it's been good. It's been five years but not much has changed other than all the restaurants and stuff around here. That's a big difference."

He joins a large group at his position, but has the advantage of being in this system before; Stallworth had success early on the first time he was here, a sign that he picked up the Pats' offense pretty quickly, which not everyone does.

Stallworth also feels that he's a better receiver now, despite being 31 years old.

"I think [earlier in his career] I was really more relying on my talent. Now that I'm going into my 10th year, I think I run better routes now and understand different coverages and what teams are trying to do.

"That's a big thing because you always hear people say this game is 90 percent mental and 10 percent physical. I don't know who came up with that percentage, but I would say that it's fairly accurate for certain reasons. You just look at a guy -- not by any means, don't take this wrong like I'm comparing myself to Jerry Rice -- but Jerry Rice wasn't the most talented guy. But he was the best receiver to ever play this game just because he understood what defenses were trying to do. He understood the little nuances of zone coverages and things like that. That's something I've gotten a lot better at as I've gotten older in my career."

The Patriots made it official today, announcing the signing of second-round draft pick Tavon Wilson, a defensive back from Illinois.

Wilson signed a four-year deal. According to Aaron Wilson of scout.com, the contract totals $4.2 million, with a $1.5 million sigining bonus.

Tavon Wilson is the first of the Pats' seven draft picks to come to terms.

Along with the Wilson signing, New England also announced that it has released QB Mike Hartline. Hartline, undrafted out of Kentucky in 2011, took part in the team's rookie mini-camp last weekend.

By Matt Pepin, Boston.com Staff

Patriots receiver Wes Welker said in April he might skip the team's minicamp this month, but he said on Monday there's still a chance he will attend.

"We're still kind of waiting, but I'd really like to be there," Welker said in an interview on WEEI. "I don't know. To say I'm going one way or another right now, I'm not going to say definite or anything like that. But I would definitely like to be at those minicamps for sure."

Welker, who was franchised by the Patriots for the 2012 season, is working with the team on a new deal.

"I think we're all on the same page," Welker said. "And we're all trying to collectively come together and make something happen. I think everybody just needs to know that. We're all on the same page and we're trying to work toward something."

Welker also elaborated on his minor kerfuffle with former Patriot Willie McGinest, who criticized Welker over his suggestion he might not attend minicamp. Welker initially responded only with a tweet.

"I was a little bit surprised, just because I know that he knows what a business this is," Welker said. "Especially being in the position that he's been put in and stuff, that he kind of put me out there like that. But it's all in good fun, man. I'm not too worried about it. I've talked with Willie a few times and stuff. So, it's all good. There's nothing but love and all those things. But we had to go back and forth on that a little bit."

Welker said there was no chance his contract dispute would lead him to miss regular-season games.

"There's 9 1/2 million reasons why I wouldn't miss any regular-season games. So, I don't have to worry about that," he said.

The franchise tag guarantees Welker a $9.5 million salary in 2012.

By Greg A. Bedard, Globe Staff

FOXBOROUGH -- We had our final glimpse at the rookies today.

It was another 20-minute session that included mostly stretching and a sled drill.

Sixth-round pick Nate Ebner appeared to be limited for the second-straight day with an undisclosed injury.

Former NFL quarterback Chris Simms was spotted on the field, but we haven't been told in what capacity he is working with the Patriots. He's likely in the scouting department.

The players donned helmets today, and the practice was held outside.

That's about it.

By Greg A. Bedard, Globe Staff

Patriots receiver Chad Ochocinco wrote a letter on his website in support of his "dad," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, as only Ochocinco can (thanks to reader @docvarmint for making us aware of this):

Many of you know I have a father son relationship with Roger Goodell. I love him and just had to reach out to him with all that is going on. We are at a crucial point in the history of football. The foundation of the game is in jeopardy based on all these factors and the future of the game is going to be shaped by him.

Dear Dad,
I know it has been a rough week, so I wanted to reach out. Players dying, players suing and on top of that my peers are just going off on you in the media. It does not help that ESPN has all of a sudden become Medical TV with damn near every brain expert on the planet. This has got to be the worst week ever. Since no one is showing any support, I figured I would be the first. You are in one big ass catch 22 and quite frankly, I am not sure there is any solution. One thing I think can help is killing the NFL PR machine.
Y’all do a darn near perfect job at portraying this game as one played by heroes.
But let’s be real dad. This is a nasty, dirty and violent game with consequences. Sign up or go get a regular job. Watch it or turn off the TV and go fishing with your kids. It is really that simple. I know there are probably legal and financial implications that prevent this blunt depiction, but am not sure if you have a choice. If you don’t say it now, the mounting evidence being revealed publicly will say it for you very soon. In all, I love you and if anyone can lead us out of this mess, it will be you. Oh by the way, I have a deal for you. Am having a rebound year and plan to do a lot of celebrating in the end zone. Can my fine money go to supporting ex-players suffering?

Sincerely,
Chad