Could Patriots Really Move Mike Onwenu To Left Tackle?

The Patriots have a few things to figure out along the offensive line.

New England was able to squeak by in its season-opening victory over the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium, but that wasn’t because the unit was without faults.

Jacoby Brissett avoided plenty of pressure to help out, and solid individual efforts were made. Layden Robinson looked great in his debut, which is good news for a rookie who could be called on to remain in a starting position throughout the majority of the season. Michael Jordan stepped in on short notice and held his own. David Andrews and Mike Onwenu looked … well, like David Andrews and Mike Onwenu.

Chukwuma Okorafor and Vederian Lowe, however, were an issue at left tackle.

Okorafor got the start but was pulled in the middle of the second series. Lowe replaced him, despite missing most of the previous two weeks of practice. The Patriots didn’t get much protection from either man, shifting their run game heavily toward the right side and relying on quick passing concepts to try and mitigate the pressure they seemed intent on allowing.

“Vederian, I think he did a nice job (against the Bengals),” Patriots offensive line coach Scott Peters told reporters on Thursday, per Dakota Randall of Pro Football Network. “There’s some things he’s gotta work on as well. We’re still evaluating as we go. We’re looking at putting the best five guys out there — that’s our mentality.”

The Patriots have preached that “best five” mentality throughout the offseason, but many wonder if they’re practicing it. Onwenu moving to left tackle could help open up a spot for Caedan Wallace or Okorafor, who both have comfortability on the right side.

Is that under consideration?

“Not at this point,” Peters said, per Randall.

It’s too early for New England to start panicking, but questions will remain on the offensive line until that left tackle spot is figured out. Onwenu has displayed versatility throughout his career, and if Okorafor, Lowe and Wallace can’t figure things out on the blindside, perhaps it might be useful to see if the man known as “Big Mike” can.