How Much Should We Pay For Starting Inside Offensive Linemen

[mgteich]

First, I'm more concerned with AAV than cap. Cap management can spread the compensation as needed.

Obviously, there will be lot of options regarding might choose to go after. And this is the team's greatest need.
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CURRENT SITUATION ($24.3M)
LG - $1.6M Brown (Wilson wouldn't cost any more)
C - $5.7M Bradbury
RG - $17.0M Onwenu

QUESTION
How much AAV should we plan to spend for the IOL? Perhaps, we can bring in another Moses for 3 years as a mentor at RG.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

CURRENT SITUATION ($24.3M)
LG - $1.6M Brown (Wilson wouldn't cost any more)
C - $5.7M Bradbury
RG - $17.0M Onwenu

BTW, Brown is the only one of the three signed for 2027.

Player	2026 cap hit	Cost if cut pre-6/1	Cost if traded pre-6/1
LG Brown	$1.97M	$1.93M	$0.73M
C Bradbury	$6.9M	$1.2M	$1.2M
RG Onwenu	$25M	$7.5M	$7.5M

 

[DaBruinz]

Does it really matter how much they spend? The reality is that the top 10 salaries for each position fall into a range. Those ranges are:

LG - 10M-24M
RG - 12M-23.5M
C - 7M - 18M

Onwenu started off the year poorly, but really turned it around and was a top 7 guard by the end of the year, playing like the salary he is being paid.

Bradbury was the 19th center (when looking at centers with 50% or more of 1154 snaps) in terms of pressures.
Wilson was one of the worst Guards in the league, allowing 41 pressures.

One of the highest paid guards in the league in Chris Lindstrom, allowed 44 total pressures.
One of the guards that people were screaming for the Pats to sign last year was Will Fries.. He allowed 37 total pressures.

Connor McGovern was in a 9 way tie for 9th in terms of pressures allowed by a center at with 14 total pressures. But he was the only center of the 5 to not allow a sack.

David Edwards was the 35 ranked guard (combining both LG and RG played at least 50% of 1151 snaps) allowed 27 total pressures.

Yes. I believe they could land BOTH Edwards and McGovern for what it would cost for Linderbaum. The bigger question is should they?

I think signing McGovern and cutting Bradbury with the intent to allow McGovern, Wilson and Brown to battle it out for the C/LG would be ideal. McGovern is almost guaranteed to be a starter at either Center or LG. While Ben Brown certainly improved his play over 2024, PFF has his stats for 2025 fubared, so there is no stats to reference directly in terms of pressures allowed.

A dark-horse at the LG position could be Caeden Wallace. We have no idea how he progressed this year.

 

[BennyBledsoe]

Whatever the market says and as much as you can without impairing your ability to give good depth throughout the roster.

 

[Ring 6]

First, I'm more concerned with AAV than cap. Cap management can spread the compensation as needed.

Obviously, there will be lot of options regarding might choose to go after. And this is the team's greatest need.
========
CURRENT SITUATION ($24.3M)
LG - $1.6M Brown (Wilson wouldn't cost any more)
C - $5.7M Bradbury
RG - $17.0M Onwenu

QUESTION
How much AAV should we plan to spend for the IOL? Perhaps, we can bring in another Moses for 3 years as a mentor at RG.

How do you count brown as the lg?

 

[ctpatsfan77]

A dark-horse at the LG position could be Caeden Wallace. We have no idea how he progressed this year.

We have a partial answer: he didn't see the field at all until Wilson was hurt, and even then only played offense as a sub in the JEST blowout (he had about 25 ST snaps over four games).

 

[DaBruinz]

We have a partial answer: he didn't see the field at all until Wilson was hurt, and even then only played offense as a sub in the JEST blowout (he had about 25 ST snaps over four games).

CT-you know better than that.. If the Pats thought so little of Wallace, they would have just cut him like Layden Robinson. It's likely that they are going to give him another Training Camp to prove himself.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

CT-you know better than that.. If the Pats thought so little of Wallace, they would have just cut him like Layden Robinson. It's likely that they are going to give him another Training Camp to prove himself.

That's why I said partial answer. He was good enough that they didn't see an urgent need to replace him, but not good enough to get much PT.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Ravens' Lindenbaum (SP?) sign the beast

 

[JoeSixPat]

Having solid players on rookie contracts is the best way to go obviously.

Heck - having our QB and LT alone on rookie contracts saves @ $50 million in cap space alone compared to paying top salaries there.

Both positions are the type where IF one of the top ones even makes it to FA, it's gonna cost you.

That's what happened last offseason when most of the FAs returned to their teams (or otherwise snubbed the Patriots)

I think we'll spend a decent amount for some younger quality depth, with a focus on improving our LG/C - but I'm in favor of using our highest picks on OL to both improve that and free up salary for other needs on the team as well.

But knowing that there's guys like Maye who will be taking up a good chunk of cap space in the future makes the draft the key place to find young, cap-friendly, quality depth that will be ready to step into a starring role in a few years

 

[mgteich]

How do you count brown as the lg?

As of now, without additions, I believe that either Brown or Wilson would be our LG. I have no strong feelings with regard to which player is most likely to start at LG.

I don't expect this to happen.

My guess is that Brown would start and Wilson would compete with Bradbury for the starting job at center.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Isn't the question with Onwenu whether and how he will restructure in his contract year? I could see that cap number looking like a nice fat steak to Vrabel or personnel gurus thinking "where are the savings." More a starting point in extension talks than a statement that he's resetting the bar for lineman money.

At 29, they could come to a 3- or 4-year deal, backloaded (like this one). So the present cap hit in 2026 decreases, and we basically face the same choices in '28 or '29. Move a little cap money out to the future, keep him at a digestible cost, put dollars in his pocket, and give him some security. If he wants to hit his home run now, well, we just announced we're cheap bastards (more like, we will spend to the cap but get best value for it.) Thank you for your service. But that's one more thing to worry about.

Two rooks on the left side is a great savings, but in the long run was a weakness (probably due in part to that inconvenient doubling of the season length, from a rookie's point of view.) I hope their natural development becomes a cheap constant. We need other positives along the line like Onwenu but not at top pay for the league. He might deserve it... but he might have to go elsewhere to get it, given the noises coming out of Foxborough.

PS Trey Smith has the biggest Guard contract in the league (KC), 4 years for $94m. Don't know the structure.

 

[Pape]

Isn't the question with Onwenu whether and how he will restructure in his contract year? I could see that cap number looking like a nice fat steak to Vrabel or personnel gurus thinking "where are the savings." More a starting point in extension talks than a statement that he's resetting the bar for lineman money.

At 29, they could come to a 3- or 4-year deal, backloaded (like this one). So the present cap hit in 2026 decreases, and we basically face the same choices in '28 or '29. Move a little cap money out to the future, keep him at a digestible cost, put dollars in his pocket, and give him some security. If he wants to hit his home run now, well, we just announced we're cheap bastards (more like, we will spend to the cap but get best value for it.) Thank you for your service. But that's one more thing to worry about.

Two rooks on the left side is a great savings, but in the long run was a weakness (probably due in part to that inconvenient doubling of the season length, from a rookie's point of view.) I hope their natural development becomes a cheap constant. We need other positives along the line like Onwenu but not at top pay for the league. He might deserve it... but he might have to go elsewhere to get it, given the noises coming out of Foxborough.

PS Trey Smith has the biggest Guard contract in the league (KC), 4 years for $94m. Don't know the structure.

Without a doubt Onwenus contract is outsized... it needs to be adjusted... ie cut in half... i' d like to keep him here, hope things work out money wise

 

[Ring 6]

As of now, without additions, I believe that either Brown or Wilson would be our LG. I have no strong feelings with regard to which player is most likely to start at LG.

I don't expect this to happen.

My guess is that Brown would start and Wilson would compete with Bradbury for the starting job at center.

Wilson started over brown every game he was healthy.

 

[KCSVEN]

If you can sign guys that will transform the line for the next 3 years paying top of the market at 2 positions is doable and I would do it.

Patriots have a ton of flexibility with the cap. The Gonzo and Maye contracts are coming but the early year cap on those can be managed. Patriots have not really used void years, they haven't restructured anyone etc.

They have 2 big contracts coming, Gonzo starts in 2027 and Maye in 2028

They can backload the cap hits so you can spend a lot thru 2028. Assuming you can replace the guys below with draft picks or cheaper contracts you have a very large budget available for 2026 and 2027 seasons.

This is THE WINDOW. Yeh if Maye continues to develop, he will still Josh Allen the team to contention but you have a 3 year window here.

After 2026 they have:
Gonzalez
Onwenu
Boutte
Douglas

They also have
Henry, Hollins, Jennings, Durden, Elliss, Diggs is 2027 but can be cut or restructured.

Barmore signed thru 2028 but I could be gone after 2026 (just not worth his contract so far)
Landry is likely gone after 2026. Moses also.
Diggs, Landry, Barmore, Moses adds 62 million to available cap in 2027, with no restructures. Replacing that production probably cost half of that. Spillane could be another 10. Williams could be due for restructure also.

I point to 2027 to be THE year to be going all in on. 3 years of drafts and free agency, Maye, Gonzo and Williams still in prime. Aged out players off the books. Only Gonzo big contract has kicked in

It is weird that in 2028 they have the 2025 draft signed plus Williams, Barmore, M. Jones and Rhamondre, that's it! NO way Barmore is here in 2028 unless he returns to 2023 form. Gonzo and Maye probably the only other 2 that you can say will almost 100% be on the team then.

Turnover in NFL is huge.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Without a doubt Onwenus contract is outsized... it needs to be adjusted... ie cut in half... i' d like to keep him here, hope things work out money wise

It would likely look very big, with the can kicked all the way down the road. Then at 32 or 33, if he becomes this monster presence known and feared throughout the league, ok, there's still hope of a home run year or two for a contender looking for that one last piece... but I'm hoping he loves Vrabes and what we're building, and the coaches/staff aren't just saying "Sorry but you're too much guard for us." That is, a normal negotiation that honors what he has done and can do, and honors the need for the team to use cap dollars on multiple positions... Time will tell.

 

[upstater1]

We have a partial answer: he didn't see the field at all until Wilson was hurt, and even then only played offense as a sub in the JEST blowout (he had about 25 ST snaps over four games).

They brought on Thayer Munford who wasn't even on any teams 53 when they had the option to go to Wallace.

We really need someone who can evaluate OLs properly.

 

[TheRainMaker]

To get Lindenbaum, they will have to pay up at least $19M average. Pats would be getting a 3 time Pro Bowl player who regarded as one of the best in the game going on 26. Sign him and not worry about the C position for years. Pats have had mediocre C's centers since Wohlahaugh left.

 

[Pape]

@DaBruinz what am i missing here with Onwenu?

 

[DaBruinz]

Without a doubt Onwenus contract is outsized... it needs to be adjusted... ie cut in half... i' d like to keep him here, hope things work out money wise

I have to disagree. Onwenu was a top 7 guard last season. Claiming it needs to be cut in half is ridiculous. Go look at all the OTHER RIGHT guards out there who are making more than Onwenu.

Trey Smith, Chris Lindstrom, Robert Hunt. Those are the 3 RGs who's AAV are higher than Onwenu.
Sam Cosmi, Quinn Meinerz, and Will Fries are within 1.5M AAV.

Trey Smith - 1 sack, 2 QB hits, 13 Hurries on 459 pass blocking snaps
Chris Lindstrom - 1 sack, 8 QB Hits, 35 hurries on 623 pass blocking snaps
Robert Hunt - only played 2 games due to injury.
Sam Cosmi - 2 sacks, 0 QB hits, 9 Hurries on 323 pass blocking snaps (missed 8 games)
Quinn Meinerz - 2 sacks, 5 QB hits, 18 hurries on 709 pass blocking snaps
Will Fries - 3 sacks, 4 QB hits, 30 hurries on 612 pass blocking snaps

Mike Onwenu - 2 sacks 1 QB hit, 18 hurries on 648 pass blocking snaps.

Right guards ahead of Onwenu in terms of pressures allowed on pure totals :
Austin Corbett - 3 sacks, 1 QB hit, 10 hurries - 405 passing snaps (missed 4 games)
Kevin Zietler - 4 sacks, 2 QB hits, 10 hurries - 590 passing snaps
Cesar Ruiz - 3 sacks, 2 QB hits, 14 hurries - 546 passing snaps
Kevin Dotson - 3 QB sacks, 4 QB hits, 13 hurries - 521 passing snaps.

When I look at how few pass blocking snaps that Trey Smith and Austin Corbett were asked to take, I see that their numbers are somewhat misleading.

Corbett - 1 pressure allowed per 28.9 snaps
Smith - 1 pressure allowed per 28.7 snaps
Onwenu - 1 pressure 30.9 snaps.

Zeitler - 1 pressure every 36.5 snaps
Ruiz - 1 pressure every 28.7 snaps
Meinerz - 1 pressure every 28.4 snaps.
Cosmi - 1 pressure every 29.4 snaps

EDIT: (added)
Lindstrom - 1 pressure every 14.2 snaps
Fries - 1 pressure every 16.5 snaps.
Onwenu is well worth his salary as a RG. I said above he's one of the top 7 RGs in the league. He's 4th highest AAV. He's worth the money and people only need to look at the stats to see this.