Mike Onwenu, Trent Brown, Patriots Free Agents' Projected Contracts

The New England Patriots may be forced to rebuild their offensive line as part of Jerod Mayo's first offseason in charge.

Mike Onwenu and Trent Brown are set to become free agents. Both players could earn more than the Patriots would even consider paying because of a weak offensive line market.

Pro Football Focus ranked Brown and Onwenu the second-and-third-best offensive line free agents behind Tyron Smith.

If Smith returns to the Dallas Cowboys, teams could enter bidding wars for the two Patriots.

Hunter Henry is a more realistic internal free-agent target for the Patriots. Henry has the potential to play a major role alongside the new quarterback in 2024. A deal to bring the tight end back would be a huge step forward for Mayo and his staff.

Mike Onwenu

Cooper Neill/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 07: Mike Onwenu #71 of the New England Patriots drops back to block during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on December 7, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Mike Onwenu's path to free agency was cleared earlier this week when the Patriots used the transition tag on Kyle Dugger.

The Patriots opted not to retain Onwenu through the franchise tag, so they will compete with others for his signature.

A 26-year-old versatile offensive lineman should intrigue every team with offensive line help.

The lack of top-tier offensive tackles in the 2024 free-agent class should benefit Onwenu's back account.

He should be able to pick whichever team he lands with, and that probably means the Patriots will be outpriced.

Projection: Four years, $55 million

Trent Brown

Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images

FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 10: Trent Brown #77 of the New England Patriots blocks during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium on September 10, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Brown could earn a robust deal of his own because of the way the market looks.

The 30-year-old offensive tackle is one of the best free-agent options for teams in need of offensive line help.

Brown already has one big pay day in his career from 2019, when he signed a four-year, $66 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.

That deal did not go as planned. He ended up back in New England for the final three seasons of that deal.

New England should at least make a run at Brown and Onwenu in free agency because its NFL draft focus will be on adding a new quarterback.

However, the state of the market could dictate how involved the Patriots get with Brown and Onwenu because they need a strong budget to pursue offensive improvements at other positions.

Projection: Three years, $37 million

Hunter Henry

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 17: Hunter Henry #85 of the New England Patriots reacts after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)

Hunter Henry was one of the few offensive skill position signings who panned out for the Patriots over the last three seasons.

Henry produced 603 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021, and while his yardage totals dropped off after that, he still put up 1,531 yards and 17 touchdowns across three campaigns.

Henry is no longer the elite of the elite at tight end, but he does reside in the second tier of tight ends who can get you around 500-600 yards and around five touchdowns each season.

The Patriots should consider bringing Henry back because he is the perfect asset for a young quarterback to work with, as displayed by his connection with Bailey Zappe late in the 2023 season.

However, keeping Henry may be tough now that Dalton Schultz is off the market. Schultz signed a three-year, $36 million deal with the Houston Texans.

Henry is only two years older than Schultz and he put up similar numbers to him in 2023.

Projection: Three years, $30 million