By Alex Barth, 985TheSportsHub.com
Traded to the Patriots during roster cutdowns last season, Jermaine Eluemunor spent most of 2019 on the sidelines waiting, watching, and learning. Acquired for a fourth-round pick from the Baltimore Ravens, the 25-year old played just 29 offensive snaps, spread out over 10 games.
With an opening at right tackle following Marcus Cannon’s opt out, there’s a chance for Eluemunor to get on the field quite a bit more in 2020. After observing for most of last year, the Texas A&M product feels ready for a bigger role in the Patriots offense.
“Getting traded as late as I did last year, it was my job to catch up quickly and be ready for any situation I was thrown into,” Eluemunor told reporters on Wednesday.
He even figured out a way to turn this abnormal offseason into an advantage. “Obviously, I feel better this year having more time. With COVID and everything and quarantine, I had more time to really dig into the playbook.”
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Eluemunor’s hard work over the offseason can pay on beyond the right tackle spot. With Ted Karras now in Miami, the Patriots are in need of a new Swiss Army Knife sixth offensive lineman. Eluemunor resume makes him a strong candidate for the job. ““I’ve played a ton of positions in my entire three-year career in the NFL, from left tackle to left guard, right tackle, right guard. So I’m familiar with all four of those positions,” he said on Wednesday.
Whether it’s as the starting right tackle, sixth offensive lineman, or some other role, Eluemunor figures to be a key figure on the Patriots offensive line this season, after taking essentially a red shirt year in 2019.
For more updates on the Patriots offensive line and position battles in training camp, make sure to check back in with 985TheSportsHub.com.
