NFL Rumors: Patriots Placing Original-Round Tender On Jermaine Eluemunor

The New England Patriots reportedly are retaining restricted free agent Jermaine Eluemunor.

The team is placing an original-round RFA tender on the offensive lineman, according to a report Sunday from NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.

Because Eluemunor was drafted in the fifth round (by the Baltimore Ravens in 2017), the Patriots would receive a fifth-round draft pick if another team signs him to an offer sheet and they decline to match.

The tender is a nonguaranteed one-year contract worth roughly $2.1 million.

New England’s other restricted free agent, defensive tackle Adam Butler, is expected to receive a second-round tender, according to a report from ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss.

Eluemunor was a disappointment in his first season in New England, hardly seeing the field after the Patriots traded a fourth-round pick for him and a sixth-rounder last August. The 25-year-old played just 29 snaps over 10 appearances — the fewest by any Patriots O-lineman — falling behind veteran journeyman James Ferentz on the depth chart.

Ferentz, guard Joe Thuney and center/guard Ted Karras all are set to become unrestricted free agents when the NFL league year opens at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday. Free agents can begin negotiating with other teams at noon ET on Monday.

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