Patriots draft guard Michael Onwenu in sixth round

With the 182nd pick in the sixth round, the Patriots drafted guard Michael Onwenu from Michigan on Saturday. The Patriots traded up to grab Onwenu. They sent two sixth round picks (212 and 213 overall) to the Indianapolis Colts for pick 182.

Onwenu started 34 games at right guard and one game at left guard in college. He played some defensive line his freshman year. He was third team All-Big Ten the last two seasons. His weight was once up to 370 pounds. Onwenu, who stands at 6- [...]

With the 182nd pick in the sixth round, the Patriots drafted guard Michael Onwenu from Michigan on Saturday. The Patriots traded up to grab Onwenu. They sent two sixth round picks (212 and 213 overall) to the Indianapolis Colts for pick 182.

Onwenu started 34 games at right guard and one game at left guard in college. He played some defensive line his freshman year. He was third team All-Big Ten the last two seasons. His weight was once up to 370 pounds. Onwenu, who stands at 6-foot-2, now weighs around 340 pounds. He took a predraft visit to the Patriots back when it was allowed, so there was some interest there.

The Pats also drafted his teammates, on Friday, Josh Uche.

"I think it goes hand-in-hand with the school and the football. I mean, obviously we come from a good school, one of the best public schools, and have some of the best coaches that are out there," Onwenu said. "We’re always being put in good positions to succeed on the field and off the field and we’re pro-ready. As you could see in our last year’s draft class, most of our guys are already contributing in the NFL."

This offseason, the Patriots lost top backup guard Ted Karras, who started at center in 2019. That top backup spot is up for grabs. Onwenu will compete with last year’s fourth rounder Hjalte Froholdt, Jermaine Eluemanor and Najee Toran for the top backup interior spots with Shaq Mason and Joe Thuney leading the way at guard.

mdaniels@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @MarkDanielsPJ