The New England Patriots’ receiving group now has more depth and promise.

FOXBORO: On Tuesday, the New England Patriots signed Kawaan Baker to a futures contract, giving their receiving corps more depth and promise for the next season. The New Orleans Saints selected Baker, 25, out of South Alabama as a seventh-round selection (choice No. 255 overall) in the 2021 NFL Draft.

210-pound wide receiver, standing 6-1, started his first campaign on the practice squad. In his two games as a rookie, Baker was added to the active roster. He played on special teams against the Carolina Panthers in January 2002 and the Miami Dolphins in late December, during which he had one special teams tackle. After spending the whole training camp with the New Orleans Saints, he did not leave the team, but in October the Saints suspended him for using performance-enhancing drugs. After that, he was signed to the Green Bay practice squad, and he played a stint there until coming back to New Orleans in December. Baker attended a training camp alongside

the Saints in the summer of last year, but he was cut before the regular season began. Related: Patriots Receiver Teases Free Agency Hint with “I Want to Come Back”

Following the team’s confirmation of his signing on Tuesday night, Baker is now the second receiver signed to a futures contract. The other is T.J. Luther, a 2023 practice squad member for New England. The Patriots have signed linebacker Joe Giles-Harris, cornerback Azizi Hearn, running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn, defensive lineman Trysten Hill and William Bradley-King, and offensive linemen Andrew Stueber and Michael Jordan in addition to Baker and Luther.