Reunion season for the Patriots?

The Patriots made their first splash of the 2021 offseason on Tuesday when they traded for Trent Brown. Fans widely cheered the move – not only because Brown is a good player, but because he’s a former Patriot who was a fan favorite during his lone season in Foxboro in 2018.

Since the Miami Dolphins released Kyle Van Noy last week, the topic of ‘Patriots reunions’ has been a popular talking point. Brown ended up being the first former Patriot to return, but will others follow?

With the tight NFL salary cap, players are being made available via free agency and trades and an unprecedented rate. Can Bill Belichick take advantage and ‘get the band back together’ with his $68 million in cap space. If that’s the plan, here’s some players who could return to Gillette Stadium this fall.

• Jimmy Garoppolo

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  Even with all the ‘Plan A’ talk surrounding Jimmy Garoppolo, he’s hardly a lock to return. San Francisco still has a Super Bowl-caliber roster, and won’t reset at quarterback just because - they’ll need a replacement for Jimmy G first.
  
  If they get one though, a return to Foxborough can’t be ruled out. Maybe he’ll actually stay healthy behind the Patriots’ new and improved offensive line.

• D.J. Foster

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  D.J. Foster spent his rookie year with the Patriots in 2016 before being released and ending up in Arizona. In four seasons with the Cardinals he was a reserve running back with a significant special teams role.
  
  With Rex Burkhead entering free agency and recovering from a torn ACL, Foster could be an interesting, affordable free agent option to fill his spot on special teams, and spell whoever becomes the main third down back on offense when needed.

• Brandin Cooks

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  If the Patriots were to bring back a single player on this list, it should be Brandin Cooks. He plays a position of need, is relatively affordable, and above all is a darn good player. The Patriots offense’s lack of speed was as glaring as any issue they had last year.
  
  With Cooks in the fold, they’d have a legitimate deep ball threat on the outside and potential 1,000 yard receiver. He’s due about $13 million a year for the next three seasons, is already rumored to be on the trade block, and the Texans have a history of giving away good players for cheap.
• Cordarrelle Patterson

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  Something else the Patriots struggled with last year? Yards after the catch. Cordarrelle Patterson, who is a pending free agent, is a magician with the ball in his hands. He’d also give the Patriots a weapon of a kick returner, something they haven’t had since he left after the 2018 season.

• Jacob Hollister

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  Patriots fans probably remember Jacob Hollister as an often-injured player who always came up just short of being a productive player. That’s not an inaccurate description of his time in New England, but the 27-year-old turned a corner after being traded to Seattle before the 2019 season.
  
  In two years with the Seahawks, he caught 66 passes for 558 yards and six touchdowns in an offense that isn’t exactly tight end friendly. Hollister isn’t ever going to be the TE1 the Patriots need, but he’s proven can contribute in a complementary role, which the Patriots would also use. If he signed in New England today, he’d be the best tight end on the roster.

• Malcom Brown

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  The Saints are the furthest team over the salary cap, and trading Malcom Brown has been floated one way they can start to rectify that situation. With three of their top four defensive linemen from last year on expiring contracts, the Patriots could look to buy low on Brown to solidify their front? He’s due $6.4 million against the cap this year, the final year of his current deal.
• Adrian Clayborn

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  Released by the Browns on Tuesday, Adrian Clayborn enters free agency for the fourth time in four years. His first stint with the Patriots in 2018 had its ups and downs - would the two sides give it another shot?

• Malcolm Butler

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  Now wouldn’t this be something. The Patriots will need some cornerback depth, especially if/when they trade Stephon Gilmore. There’s no reason that depth has to be Malcolm Butler, a guy whose bridges are likely burned with Bill Belichick and the organization, but this is going to be an insane offseason, and we can’t rule anything out!

• Duron Harmon

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  When the Patriots traded Duron Harmon to the Detroit Lions last season, they never really brought in his replacement. For a team that likes to use a three-safety set with two guys deep, the second free safety role is key. However, last year that role was filled almost exclusively by cornerbacks playing out of position.
  
  With Harmon now a free agent, the Patriots could bring him back and plug him into his old spot next to Devin McCourty. It’s not a strong year for free safeties in the draft or free agency, and Harmon will likely come cheap and with prior knowledge of the system.

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Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.