Only 1 Patriots Player on Pro Football Focus Top 101: Disrespected or Deserving?

The New England Patriots' lone representative on the best players of 2022 is a surprise: Michael Onwenu.

Author:
Richie Whitt
Publish date:
Feb 24, 2023 2:00 PM EST

In this story:

Last August, NFL Network unveiled its Top 100 players entering the 2022 season. An ominous sign for the New England Patriots on both sides of the ball, the league's players voted only quarterback Mac Jones and edge rusher Matthew Judon on their list.

In retrospect, getting no players in the top 50 and only two of the top 100 - Judon was No. 52; Jones No. 85 - was an omen of things to come. Void of elite talent - and dragged down by inferior coaching - the Pats stumbled to an 8-9 season that kept them out of the playoffs for the second time in three years.

Only Judon lived up to his preseason billing, voted as the only Patriots player to the Pro Bowl Games.

While those honors are voted on by peers and fans, when it comes to the list compiled by the analytics geeks the Pats had equally unsuccessful season. On Pro Football Focus' Top 101 Individual Performances of 2022, New England again boasts only one player.

But it's not who you expected.

Goodbye, Judon. Hello ... Michael Onwenu.

Coming in at No. 73, the right guard is the only Patriots player on the list. Says PFF:

Finally given the chance to start all season at one position, Onwenu continued to excel on the Patriots' offensive line. He allowed 14 total pressures in 2022, and six of those came in the final three games, including the only sack he let up.

Surprising that Judon and his 15.5 sacks didn't crack the top 101. And telling that the Pats got only one player recognized.

The AFC East's other three teams combined for 13 players, including six Miami Dolphins, four Buffalo Bills and three New York Jets.:

7. Tyreek Hill, Dolphins

14. Josh Allen, Bills

18. Sauce Gardner, Jets

25. Stefon Diggs, Bills

27. Quinnen Williams, Jets

45. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins

58. Christian Wilkins, Dolphins

59. Jaelan Phillips, Dolphins

66. Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins

69. Tremaine Edmunds, Bills