While the New England Patriots are ushering in a new era underneath first year head educate Jerod Mayo, it appears they may also additionally maintain a sizeable loss. The Patriots will allow the contract of offensive handle Trent Brown to void at the give up of the NFL commercial enterprise day. As a result, Brown seems destined to hit the open free agent market at the begin of the league yr in March. When healthy, Brown is still one of the NFL’s pinnacle talents, with the versatility to play proper or left tackle. Though he was confined to eleven games in 2023 due to injury, the ex Florida Gator (by way of Georgia Military) commenced eight video games and logged 585 snaps on offense. Brown earned a 76.4 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus, whilst yielding a terrible run-block grade share of 11.7. His capability to stifle opposing skip rushers, whilst also sealing the area to facilitate run blockading ought to make him a highly-coveted commodity on free agency.
While Brown’s absence will create a tremendous void for the Patriots to fill, the project of repairing a line which ranked in the decrease half of of the league in a number of key metrics will be daunting. Within this context, right here is a look at how New England may seem to be to compensate for Brown’s predicted departure.
Option 1: Draft a Starting -Caliber Left Tackle.
With the No. 3 determination in April’s draft, the Patriots are broadly predicted to tackle their glaring want at quarterback. However, there is benefit to forging a new foundation with a strong constructing block at offensive tackle. Fortunately for the Patriots, this year’s class is additionally considered to be rich with talent at the position. Should the Pats entertain the idea of trading down to maximize their draft capital, Norte Dame’s Joe Alt, Penn State’s Olu Fashanu and Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga pinnacle the listing of viable Pats targets.
Best Potential Option: Joe Alt
Though Fashanu and Fuaga have exhibited Pro Bowl-caliber potential, Alt is as shut to a certain franchise cornerstone as there is. The 6-8, 315-pound tackle posses perhaps the most spectacular blend of size, movement and physique control of any o-line prospect in current memory. Wihle Brown’s talent set used to be great utilized in a gap-heavy offensive scheme, Alt has the athleticism and energy to thrive in a zone-based device — the type which new offenisve coordinator Alex Van Pelt is expected to install. The Pats would have to invest a top-seven pick out to secure his services. However, Alt’s physical prowess and cerebral acumen all but make certain a most return on investment.
Option 2: Pursue an External Free Agent
In an ironic twist, New England’s pinnacle two free agent alternatives at offenisve address wore Patriot blue ultimate season: soon-to-be fifth-year handle Mike Onwenu and Brown, himself. Though the Pats reportedly have pastime in maintaining Onwenu’s services, his return is far from a foregone conclusion. The group may want to figure out to franchise the Michigan product at a hefty $19.8 million for the upcoming season — in an effort to prevent both he and Brown from leaving New England. While veterans such as longtime Dallas Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith and New York Jets standout lineman Mekhi Becton would immediately command a beginning role, each age and injury make their signings questionable, at best.
Best Potential Option: Jermaine Eluemunor
Though Eluemunor can also be a tier below the aforementioned options, his previous ride in New England (2019-20) may additionally earn him an additional appear or two this spring. For the previous two years, the longtime swing address has been a dependable alternative for the Las Vegas Raiders, posting pressure-rates-allowed below 5 percent in both 2022 and 2023. His potential to manage speed-to-power defenders makes his first-class healthy at right tackle. If New England were to deliver him again for a second tour of duty, they may additionally determine to move Onwenu again to his herbal shield position, while transferring second-year lineman Sidy Sow into a spot at left tackle. In turn, they may also also look to accumulate a handle via the draft, or a second-wave free agent signing. While that might also seem like a lot of moving parts, the good value gain of doing so theoretically positions Eluemunor to furnish the quality “bang” for New England’s “buck.”
Option 3: Promote From Within
In mild of New England’s dismal showing alongside the line last season, the Patriots are unlikely to entertain this option. Riley Reiff, obtained for the duration of closing offseason, spent the majority of 2023 on injured reserve and is headed for free agency. Calvin Anderson used to be sidelined due to a non-football illness, making his status for 2024 uncertain. Both Sow and fellow second-year lineman Atonio Mafi have exhibit a long way greater promise at protect than at tackle, while Jake Andrews seems to be the hair apparent to David Andrews (no relation) at center. Accordingly, New England’s picks for an in-house solution.
Best Potential Option: Conor McDermott
Despite his struggles closing season, McDermott has shown some promise when pressed into a prominent position along New England’s line. In 2022, he started all six video games he played for New England, allowing eight pressures barring surrendering a sack. Due to the frequently manic nature of New England’s ever-changing offensive front in 2023, the 31-year-old’s position used to be unclearly defined. Still, McDermott’s potential to align as a jumbo tight cease may be of precise interest to new offensive line educate Scott Peters. He started his soccer experience as a tight end, taking part in the role for the duration of high school. He was once converted to offensive address upon his arrival at UCLA. Whether it be in a starting capacity or not, McDermott may want to discover a outstanding vicinity in the Pats’ plans for 2024.
