FOXBORO — The vast majority of the Patriots’ undrafted free agents were about as obscure as many of their classmates just a week ago. Some might even have fewer Twitter followers than the regular at your neighborhood bar.

But if the trend from the last decade holds true, at least one of the 19 newbies will remain on the active roster in September, and maybe even through the season and longer. In every season since 2004, at least one of the Patriots’ original crop of undrafted free agents made the active roster out of camp.

The list includes cornerback Randall Gay in 2004, defensive lineman Mike Wright in 2005, linebacker Pierre Woods in 2006, quarterback Matt Gutierrez in 2007, linebacker Gary Guyton in 2008, quarterback Brian Hoyer in 2009, linebacker Dane Fletcher and defensive tackle Kyle Love in 2010, linebacker Jeff Tarpinian in 2011, and running back Brandon Bolden, defensive end Justin Francis and defensive tackle Marcus Forston in 2012. Running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis is among a different group that made the initial practice squad before eventually earning a promotion.

So, who are the candidates this year? The answers might be in the contracts. Seven of the Pats’ undrafted free agents earned signing bonuses, including wide receiver T.J. Moe ($8,000), tackle Elvis Fisher ($7,500), safety Kanorris Davis ($5,000), cornerback Brandon Jones ($3,500), wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins ($2,500), defensive lineman Dewayne Cherrington ($2,000) and long snapper Mike Zupancic ($2,000). Moe ($22,500) and Fisher ($7,500) also received guaranteed money in 2013.

That extra cash symbolizes the competition across the league in signing each player, so that’s a good start. But if a team can cut a fifth-round pick out of camp without blinking, guaranteed money for an undrafted player certainly won’t mean a lot when the Pats hand out 22 pink slips on the final afternoon before Week 1.

Moe already understands the mantra. Status means very little to the Patriots. Performance counts.

“That’s a great opportunity because, to them, I don’t know how much it matters that you’re a first-, second-, third-rounder as much as it does that you show up and produce,” Moe said. “I don’t think they’re worried about money. They’re worried about production.”

If any of those 19 players produce enough, an undrafted player will make the team for the 10th consecutive year.

Lion in wait

Bill Belichick has a new collegiate pipeline.

He has shown a strong affinity to Rutgers with three draft picks and one undrafted free agent, and Belichick has tapped into past players from programs run by Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, Pat Hill and Kirk Ferentz, among others.

This year, he has also dipped into Bill O’Brien’s pool after the former Patriots offensive coordinator’s first season at Penn State. The Pats signed undrafted free agent cornerback Stephon Morris and offensive lineman Matt Stankiewitch in time for rookie camp.

“You can just pretty much see the way coach O’Brien runs things is the same way coach Belichick runs them,” Morris said. “You can kind of see the New England Patriots definitely rubbed off on him and things like that. Coach O’Brien, before I came out here, told me to keep my nose clean, my head down and stay off social network sites.”

Morris has already gotten the interview aspect down, too. When asked about the way O’Brien was able to show up at Penn State and change the culture, Morris replied, “To be honest, I’m really not supposed to answer questions like that, but that’s the past. I’m focused on the New England Patriots right now, and that’s trying to make the team.”

Oh, brother

Offensive lineman Chris McDonald looks nearly identical to his older brother, Nick, who has been a valued, versatile lineman for the Pats for two seasons. Nick’s ability to play all five positions could make him the Patriots’ top backup in 2013, but Chris is smart enough to know that won’t help him crack a deep roster out of camp.

“My brother is (an inspiration), but when I think about it, it’s on me,” Chris McDonald said. “My brother being in the NFL is not going to help me stay in the NFL, and I have to do whatever it takes for myself.”

Toe drag

Wide receiver Josh Boyce was the only player who didn’t step foot on the field during the last two days of media access to practice.

Boyce, who ran a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash at the combine with a broken pinky toe, is still recovering from the injury.