Onwenu Identifies Patriots Offensive Line Answer: ‘Block Better’

The New England Patriots offensive line has struggled this season. They’ve dealt with injuries, position changes, and inferior performances. The line struggled in pass protection when the Patriots’ running attack clicked early in the season. When pass protection improved in recent weeks, their run blocking deteriorated. The unit has yet to put together a solid all-around effort in 2024.

Mike Onwenu is the premier offensive lineman on the roster and the only one to start all seven games this season. Sophie Weller of A to Z Sports wrote about the group’s recent struggles and what Onwenu believes can help them turn things around. His answer makes it sound like an easy fix.

“Just block,” said Onwenu. “If you’re not blocking your guys there’s no holes for the running backs. So, I’ll just say blocking better.”

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If only it were that simple.

Offensive Linemen on the Initial 53-Man Roster

The New England Patriots broke training camp with nine offensive linemen on the team’s 53-man roster. A look at what those players have done in 2024:

David Andrews – Started the first four games at center before suffering a shoulder injury and needing surgery. The Patriots placed him on injured reserve. He will miss the rest of 2024.

Michael Jordan – New England cut Jordan the next day after making four waiver claims. They elevated him to the active roster due to Sidy Sow’s injury, then signed him back to the 53-man roster. He missed Week 4 due to an ankle injury.

Nick Leverett – The Patriots converted Leverett from guard to center in training camp. He started Week 5 following Andrews’ injury but allowed ten quarterback pressures. New England replaced then released Leverett, who has since signed with Arizona’s practice squad.

Vederian Lowe – After earning the starting job in the preseason, an injury kept Lowe from starting the season opener. He came in as a substitute in Week 1 but has missed three of the six games since.

Chukwuma Okorafor – Okorafor started at left tackle for New England in Week 1. Jerod Mayo replaced him after 12 offensive snaps with Lowe, who was less than 100% healthy. Okorafor opted to leave the team before the Patriots’ second game and is done for the year. He’s considering quitting football altogether.

Mike Onwenu – The lone player to start all seven games signed a massive contract this offseason. New England can’t decide where to play him. He started four games at tackle, moved to guard for the next two, and was back at tackle for Week 7 against Jacksonville.

Layden Robinson – The rookie started the first four games at right guard but struggled. After sitting two weeks he returned to start in Week 7 but injured his ankle. His status for Week 8 is in doubt.

Sidy Sow – Sow made the NFL All-Rookie Team at right guard in 2023. With Cole Strange out injured, New England moved him to left guard in training camp. He missed the first three games with an ankle injury. He struggled in Week 4 when he returned. After sitting for two weeks, he replaced Robinson at right guard after his Week 7 injury, playing poorly in relief.

Caedan Wallace – The third-round rookie was unable to win a starting job on either end of the line in camp. Lowe’s injury and Okorafor’s absence forced him into the starting lineup for Week 3. He struggled. He played three downs in Week 4 before suffering an ankle injury. Wallace is on injured reserve and could miss the rest of the season.

Constant Turnover is Unhelpful

The New England Patriots have started seven different offensive line combinations through seven games. They’ve already tied the franchise record for most offensive linemen to start a game in a season (11) aside from the 1987 season when replacement players were used.

But Onwenu was reluctant to use injuries as an excuse for the group’s poor performance.

“I’m sure that plays a factor, but it doesn’t matter,” Onwenu stated. “It’s the NFL. We get paid to play. So the guys who are out there are supposed to play well and play good together. We just got to be better.”

The optimistic offensive lineman also found a silver lining to the unit’s injury woes.

“It sucks for guys to get hurt,” noted Onwenu, “but it’s a bright side for someone else to step in and someone else to get the opportunity to play and show that they belong in the NFL. For any guy that does get in when there’s an injury, it’s just an opportunity for them to play well.”

Moving Forward in the Trenches

Ben Brown has emerged as the Patriots starting center following Brown’s absence. A player who began the season on the Raiders practice squad is now the most locked in at a position along the line. It would be great if New England’s offensive line simply followed Mike Onwenu’s advice and just blocked. However, they also need to get some continuity along the line with players getting comfortable in their roles and those they are playing alongside. Players displaying versatility was such a focus in training camp that continuity got lost. Injuries have not helped. Now, the New England Patriots need to rely on whoever is out there to figure out how to block better, and figure it out soon.