Do Patriots have to permanently move Michael Onwenu to right tackle now?

The New England Patriots‘ offensive line was a major concern over the first several games of the 2021 season.

Up until recently, it felt like every game Mac Jones got obliterated due to a blown assignment — or just pure incompetence —  by his offensive line.

The hits he took against the Buccaneers and Cowboys stick out the most, but there are at least a handful of other plays this season in which the rookie was absolutely devoured by an unblocked defender.

While Isaiah Wynn has struggled at left tackle, the right tackle position has been the source of most of the Patriots’ issues up front for a good portion of the year after Trent Brown’s injury (he hasn’t played since the first quarter of Week 1).

We still don’t know when he’ll be back to game action despite returning to practice on Wednesday.

Amid the continued uncertainty regarding Brown’s health, the Patriots might want to consider moving Michael Onwenu to RT on a permanent basis.

Should the Patriots move Michael Onewenu to right tackle full time?

It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Onwenu is the Patriots’ highest-graded player through nine weeks. He was arguably the team’s most consistent lineman last season and graded out as one of the best rookies in the 2021 class.

Onwenu hit a bump in the road earlier this season when he was benched and subsequently landed on the COVID list, but that was bound to happen at some point, no? What matters is that he’s rebounded and has been utterly dominant at right tackle since New England shuffled their OL around a few weeks ago.

Before Onwenu made the move to right tackle, the position was a revolving door for most of the season. Guys like Yasir Durant, Justin Herron and Yodny Cajuste tried (and failed) to solidify themselves as starter material.

We also have to give credit to Ted Karras. If not for the former sixth-rounder’s versatility, the Pats likely would’ve had to stick with Onwenu at left guard and keep rolling with one of Durant, Herron or Cajuste at right tackle.

At this rate, it wouldn’t come as a shock if Brown sat out the rest of the year. Even if he comes back, would he deserve to reclaim his starting role after he’s been out of the lineup for nine weeks assuming he doesn’t play Sunday vs Cleveland?

Absolutely not.

The Patriots’ starters from the Week 9 win over Carolina — Wynn (LT), Karras (LG), David Andrews (C), Shaq Mason (RG) and Onwenu (RT) — all played 100% of the offensive snaps. Combined, they allowed just six pressures.

See what we’re saying? New England has found a solution to their OL woes, and they should stick with it until it stops working. There’s been no evidence to suggest that’ll happen anytime soon.

Keep Onwenu at right tackle and Karras at left guard. Case closed.

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