It is a brave new world for the New England Patriots, as legendary quarterback Tom Brady is becoming a distant memory and longtime head coach Bill Belichick has left the building.
They will have the No. 3 pick in April’s draft, and they have some decisions to make as far as which players on their roster are worth keeping around.
Per NBC Sports Boston, Ted Johnson and Mike Giardi said the team should use its franchise tag on offensive lineman Mike Onwenu.
NFL window for teams to use franchise tags is officially open:
Ted Johnson and Mike Giardi make their case for the Patriots to tag Mike Onwenu pic.twitter.com/fV1ysdiKox
— NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) February 20, 2024
While Onwenu has been in the NFL for four seasons and hasn’t made a Pro Bowl, Johnson and Giardi feel the Patriots need to ensure strong pass protection for whoever they will have at starting quarterback moving forward.
They went back and forth between Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe at QB1 this season, and of course, this year’s draft is thought to be rich in quarterbacks who have potential.
It isn’t a foregone conclusion they will use that No. 3 pick on a signal-caller, though — wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. could likely be available, as well as a couple of talented offensive tackles.
Right now, New England needs a serious infusion of talent in order to become even semi-competitive in an AFC that is very deep from top to bottom.
In just the AFC East, the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins are very good teams with some potential for growth next season, and a healthy and spry Aaron Rodgers could elevate the New York Jets into double-digit win territory this fall.
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