Right now is about the time where fans don't have a whole lot to talk about, and looking ahead is the one thing we can do. When it comes to the state of the New England Patriots, this is a franchise that's still looking to establish an identity and direction going forward.
Somewhat stuck in mediocrity, the Patriots need to figure out where they are headed from here. The roster has some talented players, and if the front office and Bill Belichick were wise, they'd ensure the building blocks stuck around.
We're going to dig into two players New England should extend, and one they should not, starting with the guys Belichick and company need to keep around.
Kyle Dugger, S
One of the staples of this Patriots defense for the last couple of years is former second-round pick, safety Kyle Dugger. Coming off another strong year, Dugger is poised to earn an extension here soon as he enters the fourth and final year of his rookie deal.
Last season, Dugger had arguably his best all-around year to date. He finished with 78 total tackles (five for a loss), eight passes defensed, three interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), along with a forced and recovered fumble which was returned for a touchdown.
With the other starting safety spot currently occupied by 31-year-old Adrian Phillips, the Patriots should do what it takes to keep Dugger around. That way, they aren't looking for two starters as soon as next year.
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.
The Patriots should not extend OLB Josh Uche
Last season, former second-round pick Josh Uche finally busted loose for the Patriots. After injuries hampered his first two seasons and he totaled just 4.0 sacks in those years, Uche tallied 11.5 last year in 15 games played. Now going into his fourth year, the Patriots need to decide whether or not they are going to hang onto Uche. But, the reality is, they shouldn't.
First of all, the Patriots still have Matthew Judon locked down through the 2024 season. It might not make sense to tie up a ton of money in a pair of pass rushers at this point, but instead focus on spending money elsewhere. Judon also has another season of consistency over Uche, coming off his second-straight campaign with double-digit sacks (12.5 in 2021 and 15.5 last year).
Secondly, depending on where Uche would eventually sign, the Patriots could wind up with a compensatory pick, and Bill Belichick prides himself on hoarding those bad boys.
The last thing the Patriots want to do is tie up a ton of money in two pass rushers with other areas still in question on the roster, namely quarterback. New England doesn't even know if they have a franchise quarterback right now, so the direction of this team seems to be in flux.