Michael Onwenu Overview
Position: Interior Offensive Line
Height: 6’-3”
Weight: 344 pounds
School: Michigan
NFL Combine Performance Data
Bench Press: 26 reps
Michael Onwenu 2020 NFL Draft Profile
After four years at Michigan, offensive guard Michael Onwenu is taking his talents to the professional level. The 6’-3”, 344-pound offensive lineman is an absolute monster of a man, and he spent the 2019 season dominating in the trenches. Overall, Onwenu didn’t allow a single sack in his 925 snaps while only allowing three hits and six hurries.
Onwenu initially joined the collegiate ranks as a four-star recruit. While most players have to add weight heading into college, Onwenu actually had to lose it. The guard reportedly weighed 360 pounds in high school and wanted to drop into the 325-330 range. While he never quite reached that mark, it’s safe to say Michigan ended up happy with the signing.
After spending the majority of his true freshman season on the bench, Onwenu earned the starting right guard job in 2017. During his first year of extended action, Onwenu allowed just one sack, two hits, and 11 hurries on 625 snaps. He was even better as a junior, allowing one sack, no hits, and three hurries on 875 snaps.
Strengths
- Absolutely enormous human being capable of moving any defender with his strength;
- Road grader in the run game – linebackers don’t stand a chance at the second level;
- Holds his own in pass protection and never loses ground to strength;
- Multi-year starter with solid production every year;
- Quicker than any 350-pound man has any right to be;
- Patient blocker that doesn’t overextend and waits for blocks to come to him;
- Only two sacks allowed in past three seasons.
Weaknesses
- As you’d expect from a 350-pound man, he isn’t as agile as the average guard;
- Doesn’t project as anything other than guard;
- Not great in space and is somewhat scheme-specific;
- Footwork isn’t an active liability, but there’s room for improvement;
- Hands can get a little high due to his build;
- Needs to prove he can handle stunts.
NFL Comparison: Elgton Jenkins
Teams With Need at Position: Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks
Projection: 3rd Round
Bottom Line on Michael Onwenu
Michael Onwenu has a chance to be a pretty solid NFL player for the next decade. While he probably won’t ever be a superstar, the guard has the skills to be a solid player in the right system. Onwenu is an absolute monster of a man that will never lose in a one-on-one strength situation. He can move defensive tackles of just about any size in the run game and rarely gives up ground as a pass blocker. He’s certainly not the quickest offensive lineman in the class, but he’s quicker than he has any right to be at his size. Some players of his build tend to be impatient and try to engage too early, but Onwenu knows how to be patient and engage contact at the right time.
Onwenu’s large frame carries some negatives as well. Unsurprisingly, the 6’-3”, 344-pound guard isn’t that agile and struggles to keep pace with speedier rushers. This lack of agility means that he won’t be as effective in zone blocking schemes, or really any situation where he’s asked to play in space. Additionally, this could lead to team running stunts on him to see if he’s quick enough on his feet to pick up the free blitzer. Smaller red flags include a lack of positional versatility and some minor technique errors that appear to be coachable. No matter where Onwenu lands, he should be able to compete for a starting spot right out of the gate.
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