Patriots 2021 draft pick announces retirement from the NFL

In 2021, the New England Patriots made eight selections in the NFL draft, and their final pick was used on UCF wide receiver Tre Nixon in the seventh round at No. 242 overall.

The selection was honored as the final of football research director Ernie Adam's 46-year career in the NFL, and Nixon was given jersey No. 87, making him the first player to wear the number since Rob Gronkowski's retirement.

On Monday, Nixon, 26, announced his retirement from football on social media.

Nixon spent his first two seasons with New England on the practice squad, and he was forced to miss the entirety of 2023 due to a shoulder injury he suffered during the preseason. He was a free agent after his rookie contract ended

Now, just four years after the 2021 draft, the Patriots have just three of their eight picks remaining on the roster - defensive lineman Christian Barmore, running back Rhamondre Stevenson and defensive back Joshua Bledsoe. The first two signed extensions this offseason, a year before they hit the market themselves while Bledsoe has yet to make an impact.