During the 2018 NFL draft, the New England Patriots were looking to upgrade their offensive line. They had just lost their longtime left tackle Nate Solder to the New York Giants in free agency, so it was clearly the biggest hole on the roster. With their first of two first-round picks, the Patriots drafted offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn out of Georgia.
The scouting report on Wynn was that he was undersized. He had played both guard and tackle in college, and while he was athletic, it was said he may be better suited for an interior position. Right guard Shaq Mason’s contract was up at the end of the season. Some suggested that Wynn could’ve been a longterm plan to replace him or that he could start over third-year left guard Joe Thuney. But, at the time, it was all but guaranteed that Wynn was going to play offensive tackle due to the obvious need.
Then, the very next day, the Patriots made a trade for San Francisco 49ers tackle Trent Brown. It was set to be a training camp battle to decide who would stay as the starter. However, Wynn would suffer a torn Achilles in the 2018 preseason to end his rookie season, handing the job to Brown.
Less than two weeks after Wynn’s injury, Mason received a monstrous five-year, $50 million contract extension, effectively ending the guard future of Isaiah Wynn.
After a tremendous 2018, Trent Brown cashed in on the first day of free agency with the Oakland Raiders. With Wynn still recovering, the Patriots tried to bring in veteran free agent Jared Veldheer, but he retired prior to the season. After Week 1, the Patriots brought in journeyman offensive lineman Marshall Newhouse who needed to start more than half the season when Wynn suffered a toe injury that kept him out for nine weeks.
When he’s been on the field, Wynn’s been coming along. He’s hasn’t been great, and he hasn’t terrible. That’s pretty much what’s expected out of a young offensive lineman who essentially missed the first season-and-a-half of his career.
For reference, Wynn graded out at 69.9, according to Pro Football Focus, which put him 19th at the left tackle position. PFF grades aren’t everything, but they can help. What they’re not accounting for is the poor play of the rest of the Patriots’ offensive line (with the exception of Thuney who was named to the All-Pro Second-Team). It’s the one unit that really needs to be on the same page, and it was evident that that was not the case this season.
Now, Thuney is heading to the open market this off-season. He’ll likely get a huge deal because of his consistency and availability. It would be surprising to see Belichick pay top dollar to both of his guards. So, it looks like the Patriots would be in the market for a guard this off-season. Could Isaiah Wynn be that guy?
His smaller frame and experience playing left guard at Georgia could make him a great candidate. Moving him to guard could allow for more mobility and deception with pulls on the offensive line. Mason is already great on the move, so adding Wynn’s skill set could make that a dangerous combination.
If the Patriots want the prototypical 6-foot-5-and-above offensive tackle, Wynn’s versatility, allowing him to kick inside, would give them the freedom to go after their guy. Belichick may go out in the draft and take Louisville left tackle Mekhi Becton (6-foot-7) in the first round. He could sign Eagles tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai (6-foot-6) in free agency. Of course, this is all decided by Belichick, and maybe more important, offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia.
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