FOXBORO, Mass. — When the New England Patriots re-signed Mike Onwenu during the offseason, many assumed they’d identified their right tackle of the future.
After all, Onwenu, who has played both guard spots and right tackle since entering the NFL in 2020, spent most of last season at right tackle after beginning the campaign at right guard. He played well, solidifying a position that had been a revolving door for three years.
But the Patriots threw a curveball during mandatory minicamp, moving Onwenu back to right guard with rookie Caedan Wallace leading a rotation at right tackle. And there were no changes during Wednesday’s training camp opener, as Onwenu again was at right guard. So, how does the fifth-year pro feel about yet another position change?
Mike Onwenu Saying All the Right Things About Position Change
While speaking with reporters after Wednesday’s practice, Onwenu acknowledged he didn’t expect to be moved back to right guard, a position many consider his best. But the 26-year-old is taking it all in stride.
“It was a little surprising,” Onwenu told reporters. “Pretty much as a football player, I’ve done it in the past. I started as a guard, started as a jumbo tackle, and then I played tackle. It’s just one of the positions that I play.”
“Wherever the team needs me to play is where I’ll be, essentially,” he added. “As the days go on, I’ll keep practicing at whatever position, and on game day, we’ll see where I am.”
Of note:
Mike Onwenu was at right guard today, while Calvin Anderson was at right tackle.
Onwenu told @TheRealGresh & @christianfauria that he is willing to play anywhere needed.
📺 https://t.co/THFeldW1v1 pic.twitter.com/jL7wmzcmrl
— The Gresh & Fauria Show (@GreshFauriaWEEI)
Onwenu also offered insight into how New England broke the news to him.
“It was essentially just practice in a few places,” he said of the Patriots’ message. “Days in and days out, we’re going to be switching around, and it’s going to be different lines, so just getting the best five out there and practicing, every guy practicing each position, and just knowing that you can play that position.”
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Onwenu said he doesn’t need to be constantly in the loop on how the Patriots plan to use him. But come Sundays, he wants clarity.
“I’m a ballplayer, so before the game day would probably be nice,” he said with a laugh.
PFN Analysis: O-Line Combinations Far From Set
It’s important to remember that we’re just one day into training camp. Much can change over the next few weeks.
Here were the primary O-line combinations in Wednesday’s practice, from left to right:
Top line: Chuks Okorafor, Sidy Sow, David Andrews, Mike Onwenu, Calvin Anderson
Second line: Vederian Lowe, Michael Jordan, Nick Leverett, Layden Robinson, Caedan Wallace
Wallace also rotated in at RT with the first group. He’s the X-factor in all of this.
The Patriots used a third-round pick on Wallace, whom many believe will be a right tackle in the NFL. New England put the rookie at left tackle during OTAs, but the experiment was short-lived, as Wallace spent the majority of minicamp at right tackle. Since then, Okorafor has been entrenched as the LT, something unlikely to change anytime soon.
If Wallace currently looked like a Day 1 starter at right tackle, Onwenu probably would be locked in at right guard. But if Wallace isn’t ready, the Patriots will need to decide whether a trio of veterans — Anderson, Lowe, and Tyrone Wheatley Jr. — can handle the job. There’s no guarantee any will be up to the task.
If all four prove incapable, New England easily could move Onwenu back to right tackle. The Patriots should be able to figure out both guard spots, as they’ve used multiple draft picks and free agent signings in recent years to address the position.
Sow played well as a rookie and appears locked in as a starter. Rookie Layden Robinson hasn’t done much yet, but he was a fourth-round pick for a reason. Atonio Mafi seemingly has plummeted down the depth chart, despite starting five games at guard last season. Nick Leverett and Michael Jordan are both solid, experienced veteran options.
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Therefore, the Patriots could make it work despite Cole Strange (knee rehab) potentially looking at a lost season. Head coach Jerod Mayo repeatedly has said he’ll roll with the best five-man combination, and that just might be with Onwenu at right tackle.
But it all starts with Wallace, whose performance could set off dominos across the offensive line. That’s why we labeled him one of the Patriots’ top training camp wild cards.
