New England Patriots finally getting major reinforcements on the offensive line
Throughout training camp, the New England Patriots’ offensive line issues have been a dominant story. At the same time, those struggles have come with the caveat that the unit is missing multiple projected starters, which shouldn’t be the case once the regular season begins. On Wednesday, the team took a big step towards making that a reality.
Last year’s starting right guard Mike Onwenu had been on the PUP list since the start of training camp, and missed all of spring practices after undergoing ankle surgery in the winter. However, Onwenu was on the field for Wednesday’s Patriots practice – their last official training camp practice, signaling he’s been removed from the PUP list.
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It was only a brief appearance for Onwenu in his first practice back. He took part in positional drills during the early portion of practice, then moved to the conditioning field out of sight of reporters once team drills began.
The Patriots won’t need to make any corresponding roster moves to officially activate Onwenu. Players on the PUP count against the 90-man roster, and wouldn’t count against the roster total until the regular season begins. The team still has an open spot on its 90-man roster currently.
Onwenu’s return should help sure up the Patriots’ offensive line. The team had rotated a number of players through that right guard spot in his absence, mainly third-year guard Bill Murray, rookie Atonio Mafi, and converted tackle Riley Reiff. The loss of Cole Strange (who remains out due to injury) during the first week of camp only complicated things as it shrunk the guard depth further.
It is also possible Onwenu returns to play tackle, as he did his rookie and second years in the league. Right tackle is currently the Patriots’ biggest hole, and if they were to move Onwenu out there they’d have better options to fill in at right guard.
Onwenu, 25, is entering the final year of his rookie contract after being drafted in the sixth round by the Patriots in the 2020 NFL Draft. He started all 17 games for the Patriots last year and nearly played every single offensive snap for the team over the course of the season, before suffering an ankle injury late in the season finale against the Buffalo Bills.
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Patriots roster projection 3.0: Bubble coming into focus
Quarterbacks (3)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – AUGUST 19: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots drops back to pass during the first half against the Green Bay Packers during a preseason game at Lambeau Field on August 19, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
–Malik Cunningham
–Mac Jones
–Bailey ZappeStill no changes here. Although we didn’t get to see Cunningham at QB in Saturday night’s game, we played plenty of wide receiver and got a chance to return a kickoff as well. That, combined with his continued involvement during joint practices as a package player makes it clear the Patriots do have a plan for him in 2023. We just don’t know what it is yet, and won’t until the regular season begins.
Changes from Roster Projection 2.0: None
Running backs (3)
Aug 19, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; New England Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) greets teammates before game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
–Ezekiel Elliott
–Rhamondre Stevenson
–Pierre StrongLast week we went a little off the grid and included a ‘TBD’ running back in the projection. That turned out to be the right call, as we can formalize Elliott into that spot this week.
After Elliott and Stevenson though, this group is one of the toughest to project. Strong still gets the nod because it’s rare for a fourth-round pick to be cut after just one season, and he adds a much-needed speed element the other two backs here don’t. However, if he can’t get healthy soon he could face a challenge for that spot.
That could come from fellow 2022 draft pick Kevin Harris, although his skillset overlaps heavily with Elliott and Stevenson. There could also be a case made for J.J. Taylor, who does have more of a passing-down skillset and was one of the Patriots’ best players on Saturday night. At the same time, given the fact that the Patriots could probably get Taylor, Harris, or even potentially Ty Montgomery to the practice squad, it’s still very possible they’re initial cuts and then brought back later on as practice squad elevations or signed if players go on IR.
Changes from 2.0: Replaced ‘TBD running back’ with Ezekiel Elliott
Wide receivers (6)
Aug 19, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshoun Boutte (80) gestures after scoring a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers in the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
–Kendrick Bourne
–Kayshon Boutte
–Demario Douglas
–DeVante Parker
–JuJu Smith-Schuster
–Tyquan ThorntonThe entire week in Green Bay, but Saturday night especially, was a strong affirmation that the idea the Patriots could keep six wide receivers is alive and well. They certainly have six NFL-caliber wide receivers, it’s just a matter of making the numbers work with the rest of the roster – which we’ve done here.
Boutte and Douglas both flashed significantly against the Packers. Meanwhile, Thornton suffered a shoulder injury on Thursday that resulted in him not dressing for the game, and his injury has since been qualified as “week-to-week.” It would be surprising to see Thornton get cut given his status as a second-year second-round pick, but his spot on the depth chart is slipping and will continue to slip if he continues to miss time. If Thornton needs to spend time on IR, that should almost guarantee both rookie receivers make the team.
Changes from 2.0: None
Tight ends (2)
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) warms up before a game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
–Mike Gesicki
–Hunter HenryDespite Gesicki’s shoulder injury that could put his Week 1 status in doubt, we’re sticking with just two tight ends on the initial roster. Why? Because none of the depth tight ends have shown enough where the Patriots would risk losing them trying to get them on the practice squad. Whoever ends up winning the third tight end battle (Anthony Firkser seems to have the edge for Matt Sokol right now) could be released and brought back on the practice squad, or brought back outright after another player is placed on IR.
Changes from 2.0: None
Offensive linemen (9)
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots offensive lineman Sidy Sow (61) lines up against the Houston Texans during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
–C David Andrews
–C/G Jake Andrews
–T Trent Brown
–G Atonio Mafi
–T Conor McDermott
–G/T Mike Onwenu
–T/G Riley Reiff
–T/G Sidy Sow
–G Cole StrangeSow is back on our roster after plugging in at right tackle for the majority of the week since that Houston game. If the plan isn’t for him to start at right tackle, the Patriots seem to at least want him to factor in there somehow.
The other big question here is what happens with players still on the inactive lists with the season quickly approaching. We have Onwenu on the roster right now despite the fact he’s still on PUP. If he begins the season on that list, it could mean either the Patriots keeping eight offensive linemen or potentially open up a spot for 2022 sixth-round pick Chasen Hines, who has looked good.
At tackle, Calvin Anderson remains on NFI. If he is activated in time and is in game shape, he could push McDermott for the third tackle spot.
Changes from 2.0: ADDED Sidy Sow
Defensive linemen (6)
Aug 19, 2023; Green Bay, WI, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Davon Godchaux (92) tackles Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon (28) during their preseason football game at Lambeau Field. Credit: Tork Mason-USA TODAY Sports
–Christian Bamore
–Daniel Ekuale
–Davon Godchaux
–Lawrence Guy
–Keion White
–Deatrich WiseWe reach the position of another player right on the Patriots’ roster bubble – nose tackle Carl Davis. One one hand, the Patriots struggled against the run on Saturday night which could be a sign they need more big bodies in the middle of their defensive line. On the other hand, Davis was on the field for many of those plays, and struggled to close lanes at the point of attack.
Davis is still very much in the picture to earn a roster spot with the Patriots. But for now, we have him just off the roster and a likely candidate to come back via a veteran practice squad spot.
Changes from 2.0: None
Linebackers (7)
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings (33) waits on the snap of the ball during the first half against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
–Ja’Whaun Bentley
–Chris Board
–Anfernee Jennings
–Matthew Judon
–Marte Mapu
–Jahlani Tavai
–Josh UcheThere’s very little overlap between the skill sets of players in this group, which is how so many linebackers end up making the roster. The Patriots would probably like to have Mack Wilson too as a potential backup/insurance plan for Mapu, but the cuts have to come somewhere. He ends up just off the initial roster.
Changes from 2.0: CUT Mack Wilson
Cornerbacks (5)
Aug 19, 2023; Green Bay, WI, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Myles Bryant (27) breaks up a pass intended for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (11) during their preseason football game at Lambeau Field. Credit: Tork Mason-USA TODAY Sports
–Myles Bryant
–Christian Gonzalez
–Jack Jones
–Jonathan Jones
–Marcus JonesThe Patriots are clearly trying to find an answer for a third true boundary corner behind Gonzalez and Jack Jones (that role is currently held by Jonathan Jones, who should return to being the team’s top slot corner this year). Shaun Wade and rookie Ameer Speed are in contention for that spot, as was Isaiah Bolden before Saturday night’s injury. One of those players could hold that spot from the practice squad and be elevated as needed, but to this point nobody has impressed enough to win the spot with a 53-man roster placement.
Changes from 2.0: None
Safeties (5)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – AUGUST 19: Josiah Deguara #81 of the Green Bay Packers is tackled by Jalen Mills #2 of the New England Patriots in the second quarter during a preseason game at Lambeau Field on August 19, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
–Joshuah Bledsoe
–Kyle Dugger
–Jalen Mills
–Jabrill Peppers
–Adrian PhillipsBledsoe sneaks on the roster here. for now He played wire-to-wire in the Patriots’ preseason opener then was second on the team in snaps Saturday night with 41. The Patriots clearly like him, and he sticks around.
Changes from 2.0: ADD Joshuah Bledsoe
Specialists (4)
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots place kicker Chad Ryland (38) kicks the ball to the Houston Texans during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
–K Nick Folk
–K Chad Ryland
–P Bryce Baringer
–LS Joe CardonaThat’s right, the two kicker talk isn’t going anywhere. The Patriots split the reps evenly between Folk and Ryland on Saturday night, a sign that the competition still exists. Yet it is highly unlikely they’ll part ways with Ryland – every healthy Patriots fourth-round pick in the Bill Belichick era has made the initial roster as a rookie. That all leaves the possibility of the team initially keeping two kickers – Folk as the short field goal kicker and Ryland as a kickoff and long field goal specialist – on the table.
Meanwhile, Baringer bounced back from a rough couple of days in Green Bay with a very good performance in Saturday night’s game. He’s still the leader for the punter job.
Changes from 2.0: None
Special teamers (3)
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Calvin Munson (43) in game action during the first half against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
–Calvin Munson
–Brenden Schooler
–Matthew SlaterOn one hand, the Patriots seem ready to carry less dedicated special teams coverage players than usual after releasing Jourdan Heilig and DaMarcus Mitchell last week. At the same time, Munson has been getting a ton of run not only with the special teams units, but also the top defensive units as a reserve linebacker. He’s another player the Patriots clearly have a plan for, so expect him to stick around.
Changes from 2.0: ADD Calvin Munson, CUT Jourdan Heilig, DaMarcus Mitchell
Bubble watch
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – AUGUST 19: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on before a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 19, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Last 3 on:
–K Nick Folk
–OT Conor McDermott
–S Joshuah BledsoeLast 3 off:
–LB Mack Wilson
–DL Carl Davis
–RB J.J. Taylor
