We Will Have An OK 2025 OL; are we moving towards better in 2026?

[mgteich]

draftee, Strange, Bradbury, Onwenu, Moses
Robinson, Wallace, Schweitzer, Lowe, Sow/Andrews
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How many of these are part of a better than average OL in 2026 and 2027?
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Unless we squint really hard, I don't see a lot of talent.
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Obviously, Vrabel has done a lot, probably moving us from bottom 3 to hopefully to #20. This may be enough to compete in the playoffs, but the OL will still be a weakness.

 

[bakes781]

Onwenu and maybe Layden are the only 2 I would count on sticking around 2 years from now.

 

[A.C Vegas]

who ever we draft will be there and above average in the next few years. strange been above average before injury and moving to C might help Onwenu Has been good where ever they have put him. Sow has shown flashes and with good coaching can get there.

The fact is very few are beyond redemtion they just need som coaching

 

[bakes781]

We need to come out of this draft with 2 tackles and at least 1 IOL.

 

[Rdforty2]

Unfortunately, things have been so bad, there's so much improvement needed to just be competent. Competent is where I hope the line is this year.

I think Moses and Bradbury are competent NFL linemen. Thats a considerable upgrade for what we had last year. I'm confident Onwenu sticking at RG and Vrabel pushing him will get the most out of him. So I think center out to right tackle is going to see big improvement. Even if it's just competent overall.

'27 is a long way away, but i could see all 3 back in '26.

If we're squinting, Strange and Sow have shown some competency in the past, are healthy now, and young enough to show improvement.

Wallace and Robinson are entering their 2nd year. Maybe a new OL coach gets more out of them.

And of course we will have at least 1 pick in the first 50 picks IMO this weekend.

There's at least a tiny bit of talent to work with in addition to what we add this year. Hopefully in addition to a LT in round 1 or 2, we get a center that becomes a long term piece like Kendall on day 3.

Campbell/?/Kendall/Onwenu/Moses could start to look like a good unit in '26 if everything pans out. Sign a big FA LG, draft a high LG, or move Campbell inside and sign or draft an LT in the '26 off season.

I'd say there's hope for a good OL in '26. I don't know about upper echelon. That would probably require a double dip on the first 2 days this year, and knocking it out of the park with both.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Onwenu and maybe Layden are the only 2 I would count on sticking around 2 years from now.

I doubt Onwenu is retained past this year. The cap hit is too great for the level of performance. Cost versus benefit.

 

[bakes781]

I doubt Onwenu is retained past this year. The cap hit is too great for the level of performance. Cost versus benefit.

I'm hoping the coaching staff will get more out of him.

LT - Josh Simmons
LG - Layden Robinson
C - Jake Majors
RG - Mike Onwenu
RT - Ozzie Trapilo

 

[Patriot Missile]

I’ve got to see a rebound from Sow. I don’t think he’ll ever be elite good but he had a pretty outstanding rookie season and je just regressed to a big pile of blah in 24.

Not sure if it was coaching, scheme or just being around the suckitude that nobody gave a hoot?

If he makes it out of training camp and we don’t draft his replacement “DJ” alias “Smith” I think he will be an interesting watch with Marrone around. He put on a pretty good show at the combine a couple of years ago and had quite the ras score and his pff rookie season was way up there with the best guards in the league. He’s definitely one I’m keeping my eye on as well as Kayshon Boutte to have terrific 3rd year seasons if the pieces fall right for them. Otherwise not traded.

 

[Rdforty2]

I doubt Onwenu is retained past this year. The cap hit is too great for the level of performance. Cost versus benefit.

The team has plenty of cap space. That won't be an issue. But of course, the expectation is, Vrabel will get more out of him. That will likely lead to an extension and allow the team to create flexibility. If not, of course he could be cut.

 

[Rdforty2]

I’ve got to see a rebound from Sow. I don’t think he’ll ever be elite good but he had a pretty outstanding rookie season and je just regressed to a big pile of blah in 24.

Not sure if it was coaching, scheme or just being around the suckitude that nobody gave a hoot?

If he makes it out of training camp and we don’t draft his replacement “DJ” alias “Smith” I think he will be an interesting watch with Marrone around. He put on a pretty good show at the combine a couple of years ago and had quite the ras score and his pff rookie season was way up there with the best guards in the league. He’s definitely one I’m keeping my eye on as well as Kayshon Boutte to have terrific 3rd year seasons if the pieces fall right for them. Otherwise not traded.

Sow injured his ankle late in camp and missed the first 3 games. Who knows where he was at health wise. Just because he came back, didn't mean 100%, and then there was the rest of the disaster around him.

I count it as a lost season. I think between him and Strange, we'll get solid LG play this season. One of them will take the job IMO.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I'm hoping the coaching staff will get more out of him.

LT - Josh Simmons
LG - Layden Robinson
C - Jake Majors
RG - Mike Onwenu
RT - Ozzie Trapilo

Robinson was not good at LG in 2024. He was a RG in college.

Simmons is recovering from a Patella injury and might not be ready in 2025.

Onwenu is too expensive. Robinson or Wallace might replace Onwenu. Wallace was poor at LT and RT last year so maybe he switches to guard, or maybe he is better in 2025 at tackle. Who knows.

Your suggestion has three rookies and one sophomore. Typically it is better to have more experience.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

The team has plenty of cap space. That won't be an issue. But of course, the expectation is, Vrabel will get more out of him. That will likely lead to an extension and allow the team to create flexibility. If not, of course he could be cut.

Onwenu's performance decreased when his pay increased. Not a good trend for any job.

 

[Rdforty2]

Onwenu's performance decreased when his pay increased. Not a good trend for any job.

Everyone's play decreased with the disaster the team had last year.

It's a new year. I dont think Vrabel is going to put up with the crap Mayo did.

There's a chance Onwenu doesn't buy in. There's also a chance he has the best season he's ever had. He's going to be left alone at RG and he's with a staff that won't put up with being lazy. We'll see which happens.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Everyone's play decreased with the disaster the team had last year.

It's a new year. I dont think Vrabel is going to put up with the crap Mayo did.

There's a chance Onwenu doesn't buy in. There's also a chance he has the best season he's ever had. He's going to be left alone at RG and he's with a staff that won't put up with being lazy. We'll see which happens.

I predict if Onwenu's performance is unchanged, he will not be on the team in 2026.

 

[pazrul72]

I look at the draft as where are your holes that are going to need to be filled in that players years 2-4, because you hope by then they are capable starter level players. With that mindset any and all O line positions are not a reach to take. Between age Moses, easy to cut contract Owenu, meh starter Bradberry, Strange, Sow, or please upgrade Maye deserves better then the 25th-32nd best LT in football in Lowe is there a single 2025 starter you can for sure 100% say is still a starter in 2026? Honestly it wouldnt surprise me if O line is our next two first round picks and why i am fine with either Campbell or Membou. Give them a crack at LT this year, it doesnt work out oh well there are other positions to fill and we try again next year with hopefully a better prospect.

 

[mgteich]

I doubt Onwenu is retained past this year. The cap hit is too great for the level of performance. Cost versus benefit.

cap hit is NOT equal to cost

 

[mgteich]

I predict if Onwenu's performance is unchanged, he will not be on the team in 2026.

That is true for a couple of dozen players.

We expect almost everyone to improved, given that they will better coached and be playing with higher-talented teammates.

 

[zimmy]

The o-line needs a lot of work. Moses and Bradbury are stop gaps and won’t be here next year. We currently don’t have long term answers at anywhere except RG. And even there Onwenu’s contract makes him a risk of being moved.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

cap hit is NOT equal to cost

That is true for a couple of dozen players.

We expect almost everyone to improved, given that they will better coached and be playing with higher-talented teammates.

You are correct but Onwenu is due a $13.5M payout next year, so the cap and cost are linked more than usual and the cost/payout for Onwenu in 2026 makes his situation different than almost all of the other players. My apologies for not explaining that more clearly.

 

[State]

Onwenu's performance decreased when his pay increased. Not a good trend for any job.

And his weight increased.