Michael Onwenu heading to the Patriots

The big man in the middle reunites with a couple former teammates in New England.

[jwplayer O0OCiCXx-XNcErKyb]

We’ve been saying for months that it’s criminal that the mock drafts out there had Michigan right guard Michael Onwenu as an undrafted free agent.

But, of course, we knew better.

On Saturday, with the No. 182 pick overall, in the sixth-round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots took its second Wolverine of the draft, selecting Onwenu, the three-year starter and former Detroit (MI) Cass Tech product.

He reunites with former teammates Josh Uche — the Patriots second second-round selection — and Chase Winovich in Foxborough.

Here’s what NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein had to say about Onwenu:

Overview

Powerful and wide, Onwenu’s natural play strength is somewhat offset by his below-average athletic ability. With better hand placement and attention to footwork, he can take a step forward as a drive blocker with the ability to move bodies around, but he’ll be a scheme-specific prospect who could struggle against quick, upfield players and sub-package rushers. He has backup guard ability and potential as a Day 3 pick.

Strengths

  • Tremendous girth from his chest to his toes
  • Matches NFL size with NFL strength
  • Upper-body strength to put people on the ground
  • Can hold ground and stalemate against like power
  • Surprising recovery balance for a big man
  • Possesses heavy hands with ability to redirect edge rush
  • Good overall physicality and demeanor
  • Waste of time for power rushers who want to run through him

Weaknesses

  • Can be a step slow getting out of his stance

  • Athletic limitations must be accounted for with scheme

  • Lacks desire level of range as run blocker

  • Doesn’t always play as wide as he’s built when attempting to sustain blocks

  • Needs better post-strike footwork to get blocks sealed

  • High hands prevent optimal leverage at point of attack

  • Gets over-extended when patience fails him

  • Will have trouble against quality rush counters and twisting fronts

Onwenu is the sixth Wolverine taken in the 2020 NFL Draft and second offensive lineman with Cesar Ruiz going in the first-round to the New Orleans Saints.