2 contract extensions Patriots need to make and 1 to avoid

Michael Onwenu, G

Back in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Patriots selected Michigan guard Michael Onwenu in the sixth round, and he ended up being an absolute steal. In all three of his seasons in the league, Onwenu has been fantastic. He's proven to be one of the better, young guards in all of football and is well-deserving of an extension.

Just last year, his pass protection grade from Pro Football Focus sat at 83.1. That is a notable number primarily because the Patriots might not be too sure who their quarterback of the future is at the moment. New England eventually has to get the quarterback position right, but one of the best things they can do for whomever that might be, is to protect them at all costs.

If Mac Jones ends up being allowed to play out his rookie deal and is given all the opportunity to be that guy, that's all the more reason why he needs to be protected, especially because he is not mobile in the least bit.

Onwenu is only 25 years old, has remained healthy for three years and hasn't even hit his prime. If the Patriots were smart, they would get a deal done sooner rather than later and attempt to keep him around for the long haul.