Wow. A $21.7 million franchise tag for an offensive lineman is insane (as is just about every other number on the chart:
Franchise, Transition and RFA Tenders | Over the Cap. It's interesting that all the OL are lumped together when the OTs are far more valuable due to the rarity of really good tackles who can hand the pressure from the edge rushers.
It makes the idea of trading the #3 pick all that much more plausible. If the Patriots could turn the #3 pick into a low-#1, and #3 and a late rounder, it would be worth loading up on young offensive talent.
I wonder what they could sign Onwenu for over four years with guaranteed money in the $40 million range which is in the ballpark of Joe Thuney's deal in Kansas City.