5 free agents with links to the Patriots who could replace Trent Brown
By Rhys Knott
Jermaine Eluemunor
Eluemunor spent two seasons in New England in 2019 and 2020, playing 22 games, then left for warmer climates in 2021 to join the Raiders. His first season in New England saw the Patriots win 12 games and the AFC East. But his second season saw Cam Newton fill the Tom Brady-shaped void, and, well, let’s just say it didn’t go so well.
After the Raiders' late-season Antonio Pierce-related resurgence, Elumunor is ranked as the 6th best tackle available in free agency. And 2 of the players above him are Trent Brown and Mike Onwenu. So, in this particular case, Eluemunor is the 4th best option available at tackle.
He’s only 29, so he may not be a long-term solution. But he still has 2 or 3 years left in him and only conceded two holding penalties in his 45 career starts. So, he should help keep the Patriots’ quarterback clean. Last year, he made $3 million, so he wouldn’t be as cheap as some, but he will also be better than most.
Isaiah Wynn
He only left New England last year, so it’ll be like he was never really gone. And yes, technically, he did leave because the Patriots didn’t offer him as much as the Dolphins did, but a lot has changed in 6 months! And he left on good terms, saying “Oh, it was good. They’re the team who drafted, so I appreciate everyone in that organization.”
Wynn was among the plethora of Dolphins who found their way onto Miami’s IR list last season. He missed 11 games after suffering a quad injury in Week 7 and then a foot injury in Week 11. But the injury concerns might work in the Patriots’ favor. If there is a chance Wynn won’t play a full season (and he’s only played one entire season during his 5-year career), then he might sign a more team-friendly deal.
Wynn is just 28, and his last contract paid him $2.3 million in 2023. But since he's only played 18 games in 2 years, it would be a surprise if his AAV rises above that this time around. He could sign an incentive-laden deal or a long-term contract with more money on the back end.