Aaron Dobson (left) was taken in the second round by the Patriots. (AP)

While the grades are starting to trickle in on how the Patriots fared last month in the NFL draft, one NFC scout said he was impressed by what New England was able to do, saying the Patriots picked up at least four players who will be able to contribute as rookies.

“The Patriots seemed to have a solid draft,” he told WEEI.com on Wednesday. “They went out and picked potential playmakers that have the ability to contribute immediately.”

On offense, the selection of wide receivers — Aaron Dobson in the second-round and Josh Boyce in the fourth-round — defined New England’s draft, as far as he was concerned. While his team had some questions about Dobson as a collegian, he feels that the Patriots will be able to develop Dobson into a “solid player.”

“Dobson is a size/speed wide receiver that has tools to develop into a solid pro,” he said. “However, he does have some motor and contested-catch inconsistency in college but if Patriots can get it out of him, he can be a solid player. Boyce could also be a solid contributor as a developmental wide receiver and special teams player in his first year in the league.”

While several people have raved about the football IQ of both Dobson and Boyce, the two receivers are unlike most receivers the Patriots have targeted in the draft the last few years in that they are bigger, more physical types: Dobson is a 6-foot-3, 203-pounder out of Marshall (tied with P.K. Sam as the tallest receiver Bill Belichick ever drafted) who ended up with 165 receptions, 2,398 receiving yards and 24 touchdown catches. Meanwhile, the 5-foot-11 Boyce electrified the combine after a college career that saw him finish with 161 catches for 2,535 yards and 22 touchdowns in his three seasons at TCU.

“The Patriots seem to view wide receivers differently,” he said, “as they are willing to take a chance on size/speed guys, and are willing to admit mistakes and move on if they don’t fit the bill.”

On defense, two guys really stick out as guys who can start immediately: second-round pick Jamie Collins and third-round selection Logan Ryan.

“Collins has athleticism and ability to develop into an edge pass rusher on sub downs early in his career,” he said. “And Logan Ryan has the potential to be a solid workman like contributor that lacks top elite physical tools but knows how to play the position and plays the right way.”

As for the rest of the Patriots offseason, the scout believes that there will be several teams watching the burgeoning relationship between quarterback Tom Brady and wide receiver Danny Amendola. It was well-known throughout the league that Brady and Wes Welker had an extraordinary working relationship, and played out with tremendous on-field success over a six-year span.

“The loss of Welker will hurt, because of the synergy between he and Brady,” he said. “Amendola has ability but don’t know how long it will take to develop that chemistry with Brady. Welker had unique feel for situations, route pass, reading and reacting off of coverage and spacing. That’s all stuff that comes with time in the system and a willingness to work with the quarterback.”

Ultimately, in his experience, the scout believes that Amendola will have success in the New England system.

“I believe Amendola should be a productive player, based on how New England uses personnel to find favorable mismatches,” he said. “Amendola is a player you have to respect because of the intensity that he plays with and the fact that he’s absolutely fearless and will sacrifice his body for the ball. You can try to get hands on him to slow him down and do things to eliminate space to make it hard for the quarterback to find him quickly, but it’s tough.”

Rob Gronkowski will need a fourth operation to replace the plate that secures the broken bone in his forearm, according to the Boston Herald.

While the surgery is not unexpected — and if everything goes well, would leave him ready for the start of the season — if doctors find that the tight end still has infected tissue in his forearm, Gronkowski would need a fifth operation. That would jeopardize his chances when it comes to starting the regular season on time.

The Patriots made a couple of relatively minor personnel moves on Tuesday, according to the league transaction wire.

First, the team claimed former Purdue running back Akeem Shavers off waivers from Tampa Bay. Shavers, a 5-foot-10, 198-pounder, gained 871 yards for Purdue last season. He suffered a knee injury in the Heart of Dallas Bowl on New Year’s Day, which likely affected his overall draft status.

Second, running back Quentin Hines reverted to injured reserved from waived-injured. Hines, 22, began his college career at Cincinnati in 2008 and appeared in one game in 2009 after redshirting in 2008. The 5-11, 190-pounder missed the 2010 and 2011 seasons before finishing his career in 2012 at Akron. He Tweeted Monday that he would be placed on injured reserve because of an injury he suffered in the recently concluded rookie minicamp practice sessions.

Julian Edelman

Julian Edelman is in a walking boot after reinjuring his right foot, according to the Boston Globe. The 26-year-old wide receiver, who ended last season on injured reserve because of a right foot injury, will reportedly miss on-field organized team activities later this spring. According to the Globe, one source said there is an outside chance he will be able to participate in minicamp June 11-13, but it would be on a limited basis.

The 5-foot-10, 200-pounder, who was a seventh-round pick of the Patriots in 2009, has spent the last four seasons with New England, and has 69 catches for 714 yards and four touchdowns as a pro. Edelman was a free agent this offseason, but agreed to a one-year deal with the Patriots last month. He’s the only receiver currently on the roster who caught a pass from quarterback Tom Brady last season.

For more Patriots news, check out weei.com/patriots.