Set at LT, LG and C

[n1997y]

His market won’t be nearly as robust as it was last time. There were zero tackles available and he’s a solid RT himself so he made out well.

Perhaps Onwenu himself can man the RT position next year and a year or two after. Generally speaking, finding a starting caliber right guard is typically easier than a starting right tackle.

Thing is, right now Onwenu might be the third best RT on the roster. Maybe not even that as he’s not been working there.

 

[n1997y]

Brown filled in nicely and has some versatility. And for a young kid and a late round pick Bryant seems intriguing but I'm still not sold on any of them.

It could make things a little tricky next off-season as we will want to improve the depth but we might not have the starter reps to offer a free agent. We'll have other needs to use our high picks on. So we'll have to nail another mid round pick or 2 to really round out the group.

There’s the problem.

You aren’t sold on young players already on our roster, because you haven’t seen them perform.

But we don’t have starter reps to offer them, let alone a free agent.

Be honest about it, you won’t be sold on the young players we have until you see them play, but they won’t play much as long as we have solid players entrenched in front of them. It’s a kind of chicken and egg problem.

 

[n1997y]

But....could we improve the C and whole right side? Sure we could. I don't think it's a huge need, but as we all know, teams that draft for need year after year are usually the worst teams in the league.

I think you’re confused about the problem with teams that draft for need year after year usually being the worst teams in the league.

It’s not drafting for need that’s their problem.

Their problem is not hitting on those picks.

And having too many needs.

I don’t think we’re talking about either of those situations here.

 

[n1997y]

If we can get another Wilson in the 3rd that could start in 2027, we should jump on it, presuming that there isn't more value when we draft at LB, S, CB or TE (all depending on who we sign in free agency).

So, it seems you think we are all set at WR, RB, and DL, right?

jk.

I’d expect if we find another Wilson he’ll start in his first year, just like the real Wilson. If he takes a year to develop and then turns into a starter I’d say we found another Bryant. And just like Bryant in that first year when he’s not starting you’ll not be sold on him and wanting to draft another guy to develop. Thing with Bryant is that we’ve got a pretty good front line this year, as this thread is discussing, so the backups like Bryant and Brown are not going to get playing time unless they’re better than the guys who are playing, who are as we’ve said playing pretty well.

I agree with you that we should be keeping an eye out to get players like Wilson and Bryant if they fall to us, and in a couple of years we might even be ready to start making it a priority to go up and get them. For now I think we need another couple of years building other parts of the roster into as good shape as we seem to have at the moment on the OL. I’m old school in believing games are won in the trenches so my next priority would be the front seven on the D side of the ball. We are not in bad shape there but it seems spotty to my eyes, lots of room for improvement overall.

 

[TommyD4207]

Kick the can down the road.

Reduce urgency of drafting IOL (RG) to let the pick be used on more pressing need.

Yeah, I'd rather spend a day 3 pick on a starting RG rather than pay Onwenu even MORE than what he's making now.

 

[Real fan 02]

We entered the offseason with this left side of the OL being our #1 weakness.

THEN WAS THEN, NOW IS NOW
1) Very, very good OL coaches
2) Campbell, our now and future LT
3) Wilson, our now and future LG/C
4) Brown, our now and future LG/C [He is an RFA, to be extended or re-signed]
5) Bradbury, arguably our best performing OL (certainly a very solid starter). He should be at least a backup in 2026.
6) In Bryant, it seems that we have a backup LT and swing OT

WOW!

7) and yes, for now, we are OK on the right side with Onwenu and Moses.
8) I suppose that I should mention our #9 OL Wallace, who could have some value in the future. The team seems to have hope or he wouldn't be on the 53.

PERSONALLY IMO as he plays the most important position in LT Campbell has been a absolute stud. Bryant is the likely successor to Morgan Moses.

Bradbury has been great and I believe he like Moses are on 2yr. deals?

This OL has gone from NFL worst to a top 10 unit. Remarkably better. Once we start running the ball more effectively the OL will be rated even higher. We need quality depth so extending Benny brown is a no brainer. We see some pretty good defensive front coming up notably with the browns they will be tested.

 

[Real fan 02]

Why would you extend Onwenu?

Mike Onwenu | New England Patriots G | NFL and PFF stats

NFL and PFF player stats for New England Patriots G Mike Onwenu on Pro Football Focus.

www.pff.com

 

[Real fan 02]

It's been a long time since we had a really dynamic LB, would luv to have one of those again.
We need a real explosive Edge rusher imho.
Landry is good, but not a "put fear in the opposing O-coordinator" type.
White looks like he's not going to develop into what so many of us thought he would. Still time but I'm losing faith fast.
Chaison may get another contract here.
Will Swinson develop?
The good thing about our roster this year is we look competent in all areas. Not great in all, but competent so we really should be able to draft best available outside of the QB position next draft.

Agreed. Landry has an explosive first step he gets pressure each rush.. he needs a consistent partner Chaisson is good too.. but we need it from the LB spot.. Spillane can blitz but we need that stud LB that can cause havoc a Fred Warner type. Swinson I hope optimism white right now is just a guy.. he could provide so much to the defense but for some reason he's the invisible man.

 

[TommyD4207]

Mike Onwenu | New England Patriots G | NFL and PFF stats

NFL and PFF player stats for New England Patriots G Mike Onwenu on Pro Football Focus.

www.pff.com

 

[rkarp1]

Campbell and Wilson offer a nice foundation. Brown will need to be extended, and should cost a reasonable deal. He wants to play here.
Onwenu is signed only thru next season, with no guaranteed money. cutting him saves $17m. he is only 28 years old, and a solid, versatile player. I have no issue playing and paying him for 1 more year, while finding and developing his replacement. I don't think that comes thru free agency nor a high draft pick. perhaps Wallace will be ready to step up after next year.

Moses is not only aging, but also not versatile. his contract structure has to have the Pats hoping he plays thru next season, but that structure will not have him here year 3. the team should start to plan for his replacement this offseason thru the draft and development, unless they believe in Bryant or Lowe.

 

[signbabybrady]

There’s the problem.

You aren’t sold on young players already on our roster, because you haven’t seen them perform.

But we don’t have starter reps to offer them, let alone a free agent.

Be honest about it, you won’t be sold on the young players we have until you see them play, but they won’t play much as long as we have solid players entrenched in front of them. It’s a kind of chicken and egg problem.

Its obviously hard to judge a player until you see him in real action. Then in this case it's a little extra hard because we kept our starting 5 and then basically cut everyone else in between those 5 and the rookie 7th rounder including moving Bryant's main competition to guard.

It might be entirely unfair to Bryant and Wallace to assume they didn't win their spots but it's hard not to feel the others lost it more than they won it.

I think in this case the chicken and the egg conundrum would be overcome just by making the roster for a second year.

 

[Ross12]

Thing is, right now Onwenu might be the third best RT on the roster. Maybe not even that as he’s not been working there.

They don’t have many guards, and he’s a good guard, and Moses is a good RT, so it didn’t make sense to utilize him there. In 2026, if Moses retires or otherwise is not available, and they don’t think Bryant is sufficient as a starting RT, then Onwenu could potentially move over.

 

[rkarp1]

I don't agree with having a player game day active, and not giving him a series or two each half.
keep everyone ready, engaged and familiar with game speed, the OL next to them, Maye's cadence during a game.
They got lucky in that they called on Brown and he played seamlessly. perhaps Bryant or Lowe would as well if called on.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Kick the can down the road.

Reduce urgency of drafting IOL (RG) to let the pick be used on more pressing need.

The money can be used to kick any can down the road. Sign a safety to play alongside Woodson to reduce the urgency of drafting a safety. Sign a LB to reduce the urgency .........

If the draft is loaded with IOL, sign a FA in a position the draft is weak in.

 

[signbabybrady]

Yeah, I'd rather spend a day 3 pick on a starting RG rather than pay Onwenu even MORE than what he's making now.

First I think most would agree he's overpaid but I also think most would agree he's still also pretty good.

So ideally it would be nice to be able extend him and save a little without creating a hole to fill. The alternative would be to cut him save a little more but then still have a hole to fill which will either eat into your savings or cost a draft pick.

I think it comes down to how much Onwenwu is willing to risk betting on himself playing out the year vs if he can get enough from us in the off-season. I'd like to think there is a fair middle ground but sometimes when a guys a touch overpaid that can be hard to find.

 

[Real fan 02]

First I think most would agree he's overpaid but I also think most would agree he's still also pretty good.

So ideally it would be nice to be able extend him and save a little without creating a hole to fill. The alternative would be to cut him save a little more but then still have a hole to fill which will either eat into your savings or cost a draft pick.

I think it comes down to how much Onwenwu is willing to risk betting on himself playing out the year vs if he can get enough from us in the off-season. I'd like to think there is a fair middle ground but sometimes when a guys a touch overpaid that can be hard to find.

Owenu has returned to form. He's back playing to a pro bowl level. He's one of the best G in the game and people need to put some respect on his name. We have 5 competent OL that have all played soundly. Sometimes people need to be reminded of just how bad the OL was last season.

 

[mgteich]

So, it seems you think we are all set at WR, RB, and DL, right?

jk.

I’d expect if we find another Wilson he’ll start in his first year, just like the real Wilson. If he takes a year to develop and then turns into a starter I’d say we found another Bryant. And just like Bryant in that first year when he’s not starting you’ll not be sold on him and wanting to draft another guy to develop. Thing with Bryant is that we’ve got a pretty good front line this year, as this thread is discussing, so the backups like Bryant and Brown are not going to get playing time unless they’re better than the guys who are playing, who are as we’ve said playing pretty well.

I agree with you that we should be keeping an eye out to get players like Wilson and Bryant if they fall to us, and in a couple of years we might even be ready to start making it a priority to go up and get them. For now I think we need another couple of years building other parts of the roster into as good shape as we seem to have at the moment on the OL. I’m old school in believing games are won in the trenches so my next priority would be the front seven on the D side of the ball. We are not in bad shape there but it seems spotty to my eyes, lots of room for improvement overall.

DL
starters: Barmore, Tonga, Williams
backups: Farmer, Durden, Gregory
starters are all set
backups need upgrades (as is usually the case; that is normal turnover)

WR
We certainly are NOT all set.
We need to add a #1 for 2026.

RB
I would look for an upgrade to Stevenson, but our trio is good enough even for a playoff team.

TOP PRIORITIES
#1 WR
S, EDGE, LB, TE

 

[TommyD4207]

Owenu has returned to form. He's back playing to a pro bowl level. He's one of the best G in the game and people need to put some respect on his name. We have 5 competent OL that have all played soundly. Sometimes people need to be reminded of just how bad the OL was last season.

Remember you said that next time he doesn't get out on a screen, or ends up standing around while everyone else is blocking someone.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

.

TOP PRIORITIES
#1 WR
S, EDGE, LB, TE

Besides the #1 wr which is hit or miss to land, this is very doable next offseason. Plus a prospect at rt, a couple iol picks, and cb depth. Thats a team that can at least compete with buffalo for the afce

 

[mgteich]

Owenu has returned to form. He's back playing to a pro bowl level. He's one of the best G in the game and people need to put some respect on his name. We have 5 competent OL that have all played soundly. Sometimes people need to be reminded of just how bad the OL was last season.

I disagree. Onwenu is NOT playing at a pro bowl level. Who is rating him as one of the very best RG's in the NFL?

I see no reason to overstate the situation. Onwenu is playing well enough to be one of our 5 competent starting OL's, something not even dreamed as possible when we entered the off-season.

I expect Onwenu to be extended unless we can find an even better starting RG in free agency. There is no pressure to act since Onwenu is under contract for 2026.