New England Patriots: Deonte Brown would boost O-line
The New England Patriots struck gold in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL draft with Michael Onwenu who started all 16 games in 2020, and they could again with Deonte Brown of Alabama in the 2021 draft.
It was clear that Onwenu projected far better than his draft status would indicate. He was a steal in the sixth round of the draft without a doubt and he was the Patriots’ best draft pick of the year.
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The good news is that the Patriots drafted a player who I feel is a sure-fire starter, as soon as this season. If not, he’s a super backup at two positions on the offensive line, a Pro-Bowler in the future, and, he’s a sixth-round pick to boot.
The team needs another guard this season if they lose, as is expected, the 2020 franchise-tagged and outstanding all-around player Joe Thuney to free agency. That notwithstanding, Thuney’s $14 million salary is untenable and that cap space can certainly be utilized more effectively in other areas.
Onwenu can certainly step in at left guard for Thuney without question. He’s a versatile, talented player and was one of the best draft picks not only for New England but in the entire NFL in 2020.
But, should New England cut ties with Marcus Cannon at right tackle, a position Onwenu played much of 2020 with great success, cap space to the tune of over $7 million can also be saved by the Patriots.
Cannon has been a solid, steady presence at right tackle for New England since 2011. Yet, he will be 33 years old in May. Barring a dramatic downward restructuring of his contract, that cap space can be more effectively utilized elsewhere by the Patriots who are in desperate need of upgrading at several other positions.
The losses of Thuney and Cannon thus would free up more than $20 million in cap space for a New England Patriots team that is starved for playmakers on either side of the ball, but especially in the offensive skill player department.
The verdict is clear, the Patriots should cut ties with both and look to bolster their roster which needs talented additions in multiple other areas. In light of those subtractions, a great fit on the offensive line in the 2021 draft should absolutely be Brown.
Why the New England Patriots should select Deonte Brown.
Brown is a virtual physical clone of Onwenu, standing at 6’3″ and 364 pounds. He is projected to get selected in the sixth or seventh rounds. If you can get him there, take it to the bank. But I wouldn’t wait that long.
Frankly, not sure if they had any inclination to watch Brown in the Senior Bowl, but that was convincing enough that against some of the best players college has to offer, he was excellent.
If New England has a fourth-rounder by that time in the draft and Thuney and Cannon are out or on the way out, move right then and there for Brown if he’s still available.
The point is this, his size alone is an obstacle to any defensive lineman. Combine that size along with the mobility of an Onwenu, and you have a winner.
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A suggestion to the New England Patriots in next month’s draft, take Brown back with you to Foxborough. You won’t regret the pick.