Patriots Top Offensive Lineman to Miss OTAs?
FOXBORO — The New England Patriots are set to begin the third and final phase of their offseason work out program on Monday, with the start of OTAs at Gillette Stadium.
However, they will reportedly be without the services of their top offensive lineman.
Starting right guard Michael Onwenu is not expected to be on the field during the voluntary sessions, per a Sunday morning report from ESPN’s Mike Reiss. According to Reiss’ source, with whom he credits knowledge of his status, Onwenu’s absence apparently stems after undergoing offseason surgery for a lingering ankle injury from last season.
Since joining the Patriots as a sixth-round draft selection (No. 187) in 2020, Onwenu has been one of the Patriots most durable offensive linemen. The Michigan product nearly played every offensive snap for New England in 2022, until suffering his injury in the fourth quarter of the the Pats’ 35-23 season-ending loss to the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo’s defensive lineman, DaQuan Jones, landed on the back of his legs, causing him to miss his only six snaps of the season.
With Onwenu’s rookie contract set to expire at season’s end, he is expected to command a hefty salary on the open market. At nearly 6-3, 350, he is a massive lineman with excellent length. At his best, the Pats guard has shown a consistent and impressive ability to overwhelm defenders in the run game, while anchoring well to protecting the passer. It is a rare occasion on which he is easily bypassed on a pass block.
Onwenu was a highly-touted right guard during his time at the University of Michigan. In spite of trying his hand at both right tackle, and left guard during his two-plus years with the Pats, the 25-year-old has found his niche at his current positions, much to the satisfaction of his head coach.
"That's what we've tried to do since we drafted him,” Belichick said. “That's where we'd like to play him, for sure." he’s built to play guard, he’s comfortable playing guard, he’s got a really good skill set there.”
In light of the Patriots numerous offenisve line struggles under Matt Patricia, the prospect of moving Onwenu back to right tackle has been speculated as of late by both the fans and media. After all, Onwenu played over 600 snaps at right tackle during his rookie season in 2020. Despite starting 2021 as their starting left guard, he played 276 at right tackle, as well.
Still, the addition of tackles Riley Reiff and Calvin Anderson via free agency make New England more likely to keep in place. Should he remain at guard, he will join left-side starter Cole Strange, veterans Bill Murray and Chasen Hines and rookies Atonio Mafi and Sidy Sow on the Pats’ depth chart.
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