The San Francisco 49ers held a pre-draft interview with Michigan guard Michael Onwenu via FaceTime, according to Justin Melo of USA Today's Draft Wire. The offensive lineman also spoke with the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, New York Giants, and Jacksonville Jaguars, per the report.
Onwenu had a chance to visit with the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins before pre-draft visits were shut down by the league due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
#Michigan OG Michael's Onwenu was able to make private visits to the #Patriots & #Dolphins prior to COVID-19.
Since then, he's recently held pre-draft meetings over FaceTime with the #Eagles, #Lions, #Giants, #49ers & #Jaguars.
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) April 10, 2020
Pre-draft interviews are being held virtually over video chat software as the NFL continues to observe social distancing. Members of the team staff are conducting these interviews, along with other draft preparations, remotely from their homes. Conversations with draft prospects can't last more than an hour, with no more than three with a single player per week.
The 2020 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 23-25.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, the 6-foot-3 and 344-pound Onwenu had 26 reps in the bench press. Other measurables for Onwenu include an arm length of 34 3/8 inches and hands that measure 10 1/2 inches.
Below is the NFL.com draft profile bio on Onwenu:
The Wolverines nabbed Onwenu (pronounced on-WHEN-you) from Detroit's Cass Tech High School as a top-10 offensive line prospect nationally. He played on the offensive and defensive lines in nine games as a freshman before settling in with nine starts on the offensive line in 2017 (eight at right guard, one at left guard). Big Ten coaches thought enough of the road grader's work in 13 starts at right guard to name him third-team all-conference in both the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com wrote the following about Onwenu within his scouting report:
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.
Joe Marino of The Draft Network wrote the following about Onwenu within his scouting report:
Michigan interior offensive linemen Michael Onwenu is a massive and powerful blocker that dominates in condensed spaces. His functional strength can overwhelm opponents and there isn't any pass rusher that is going to play though him. With that said, his heavy feet and lack of fluidity present restrictions mirror pass rushers, getting out in space and working laterally. Onwenu has the upside to start in a gap power scheme but he's a scheme-specific player that lacks versatility.
Measurables
Height: 6-3
Weight: 344 lbs.
Arm length: 34 3/8 inches
Hand length: 10 1/2 inches
NFL Scouting Combine
Bench press: 26 reps
