After an offseason that saw the offensive line appear to be significantly improved, the New England Patriots have been a confusing and disappointing unit through three games. Rhamondre Stevenson's fumbling issues and Drake Maye's limited time to throw have been factors in making the offensive line look worse than it is, but facts are facts.
As of now, the Patriots' 12 sacks allowed are the second-most in the league behind only the Tennessee Titans.
There's no doubt the team made reinforcements: four of five starters across the line are new. Veteran Morgan Moses was added to the right side, next to Mike Onwenu. Former first-round pick Garrett Bradbury took the center role that had belonged to David Andrews and Ben Brown in 2024, and rookies Will Campbell and Jared Wilson manned the left tackle and guard spots, respectively.
There have certainly been ups, like when four of the five linemen had 80+ PFF pass blocking grades in Week 2. Garrett Bradbury has strung some solid performances together at center, and PFF grades him the sixth-best pass blocker at the position in the league. Will Campbell showed elite preseason play, recording an 86.2 overall PFF grade through his two games.
Despite the inconsistencies across the line, one player has continued the sound production he's had over the past few seasons: Mike Onwenu.
Mike Onwenu is quietly having a very good season for the Patriots' offense
It shouldn't come as a surprise to fans that Mike Onwenu is once again having a very sound year. Since being drafted in the sixth round from Michigan (that sounds familiar), he's been a key piece to the Patriots' offensive line at both guard and tackle.
In 2020 and 2021, he graded out to have 84.3 and 87.0 overall PFF grades, followed by a trio of less flashy but still very strong seasons, mostly at guard. After moving around last season, the Patriots added the aforementioned Moses to his right side, cementing him at his natural interior slot.
#Patriots RG Mike Onwenu has been extremely underrated this season — through three weeks Onwenu has totaled (via @PFF):
— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) September 22, 2025
🔹137 Pass Blocking Snaps
🔹0 Sacks
🔹5 Pressures
🔹4 Hurries
🔹1 QB Hit
🔹98.1 Pass Blocking Efficiency
🔹78.5 Pass Blocking Grade pic.twitter.com/smEp3zJy2Y
Not only has Onwenu been an excellent lineman overall, but he's also sporting his best pass-blocking grade since 2022. Additionally, his pass blocking efficiency is also his best since 2022, while he's on pace to play the most snaps in a single season.
Onwenu's consistent efforts throughout this season and his career demonstrate why he has been a cornerstone to each line he has been a part of, and why he's more than deserving of the $19 million per season extension he was given last season.