6 players the Patriots should build their roster around for 2024 and beyond

6 players the Patriots should build their roster around for 2024 and beyond

Michael Onwenu

With the offensive line being a work in progress after a less-than-stellar last few years, who better to lead them on their quest to be one of the best in the league than Mike Onewnu?

The versatile offensive tackle was set to hit free agency this year and expected to be the best player available, which many teams were bound to inquire about. Fortunately, he didn't get the opportunity to do so, as the Patriots re-signed him to a hefty three-year contract to be their starting right tackle for the foreseeable future.

The new regime emphasizes keeping homegrown talent, reiterating the importance of a guy like Onwenu on the team. This became even more critical with the departure of Trent Brown, who was playing like the best lineman on the team for a stretch of the 2023 season.

Now that Onwenu will lock down the right side of the line, and the Patriots are expected to prioritize selecting a left tackle in this year's draft, there's no reason not to build the group around Onwenu, who defines what it means to be a reliable and building-block player for any team.

He provides insurance to the offense with his ability to play on either side of the line, but he also allows the team to focus elsewhere to improve the unit altogether now that he will take over as the starting right tackle, where he belongs.

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