Tag: Isaiah Wynn

Could Patriots left tackle Isaiah Wynn be in for a position change?

Patriots tackle Isaiah Wynn could move positions to fill a hole potentially left by an impending free agent.

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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Julian Edelman jokes with Isaiah Wynn in Instagram post

Julian Edelman has been a strong source of motivation for the Patriots. 

Julian Edelman has been a strong source of motivation for the New England Patriots.

Whether it’s on the field or with his social media posts. Left tackle Isaiah Wynn may have taken this motivation too seriously, according to Edelman’s Instagram post on Thursday.

The 12-3 Patriots are looking to clinch a first-round bye with a victory against the Miami Dolphins at home on Sunday.

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Julian Edelman returns to practice; Isaiah Wynn absent for Week 15

The left tackle missed practice.

The New England Patriots were without left tackle Isaiah Wynn at practice on Thursday during Week 15 in preparation for the Bengals in Cincinnati on Sunday. Wynn, who was not on the injury report on Wednesday, is dealing with an eye issue.

Julian Edelman, meanwhile, was upgraded from a non-participant on Wednesday to a limited participant with shoulder and knee injuries on Thursday. He was among seven limited: LB Ja’Whaun Bentley (knee), DT Byron Cowart (head), C Ted Karras (knee), CB Jason McCourty (groin), WR Mohamed Sanu (ankle) and DT Danny Shelton (shoulder).

QB Tom Brady (elbow) and WR N’Keal Harry (hip) were listed on the injury report, but were full participants.

New England kicks off against the Bengals at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

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8 Patriots miss practice with an illness in Week 13

Stephon Gilmore and Dont’a Hightower were among those absent from practice.

New England Patriots are famous for placing players on injured reserve with the “Foxborough Flu” to stash those player for the season. But in practice on Wednesday in Week 13 ahead of game against the Houston Texans, New England seemed to have a legitimate case of the Foxborough flu.

Safety Patrick Chung, linebackers Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower, tackle Isaiah Wynn, cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore and Joejuan Williams, tight end Ryan Izzo and guard Jermaine Eluemunor were absent from practice due to illness. Chung also had an injury designation (heel/chest).

Tackle Marcus Cannon, who was dealing with an illness last week, was limited in practice on Wednesday. Linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley (knee), receivers Phillip Dorsett (concussion), Julian Edelman (shoulder), Matthew Slater (hamstring) and Mohamed Sanu (ankle), safety Nate Ebner (ankle/back) and cornerback Jason McCourty (groin) were limited.

Safety Devin McCourty said a handful of players were sent home with a sickness.

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Bill Belichick praises Isaiah Wynn ahead of potential return

“Yeah, he’s working hard. He’s always ready to go.”

Tom Brady may have a new blindside blocker when the New England Patriots play the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.

Patriots left tackle Isaiah Wynn is eligible to return to the game day active roster this weekend after coming off injured reserve earlier this week. As we saw with receiver N’Keal Harry, who was a healthy scratch in his first week after returning from IR, the Patriots don’t always rush their players back into action. Belichick wouldn’t commit to playing Wynn on Sunday.

“Isaiah always works hard,” Belichick said during a press conference on Friday at Gillette Stadium. “He did a lot of scout team work to get timing back, so working against the defense. Yeah, he’s working hard. He’s always ready to go.”

Wynn would replace tackle Marshall Newhouse, who has been serving as the team’s left tackle in Wynn’s absence. Belichick praised Newhouse’s play on Monday, but the left tackle has struggled while allowing consistent pressure to get to Brady over the last few weeks. Wynn’s return would be a welcome sight for the offense. But his presence on game day will depend upon how his body is responding to his increased workload at practice this week.

“We’ll see how it goes today,” Belchick said. “We’ll see how things turn out after the first two days. Sometimes, when guys do a little more, they are good. Sometimes, they are a little sore, so maybe there’s a little — I don’t want to say setback. But maybe things doesn’t always come together as quickly as it might in other cases.”

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Bills playoff picture: Patriots’ Isaiah Wynn activated from IR

Buffalo Bills 2019 opponent, the New England Patriots, are getting Isaiah Wynn back for Tom Brady.

This year hasn’t been a season to remember for Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

The 42-year-old has recently admitted he’s frustrated with the way his team’s offense is performing. A lot of the Pats’ successes are because of their defense, not Brady.

That’s different than much of his career but truthfully, it’s not all on the QB. He’s without several playmakers he could’ve been with, such as Antonio Brown, Josh Gordon and Rob Gronkowski. His offensive line is a wreck, too.

But that second group is getting a jolt of life.

Former first-round pick Isaiah Wynn was activated off the team’s injured reserve list this week, according to Patriots Wire.

Wynn was placed on the injured reserve list with a toe injury after New England’s Week 2 victory over the Miami Dolphins. Wynn also missed his entire rookie season due to an Achilles injury.

Wynn will slide in at Brady’s blindspot, left tackle. In his brief playing time this year, Wynn has graded at an “above average” mark via Pro Football Focus’ grading system with an overall grade of 72.8.

Former Bill and current Patriots, Marshall Newhouse, was filling in for Wynn. He currently grades at a much lower 61.0 overall.

At 7-3 overall, the Bills can still catch the Patriots for the AFC East crown. New England sits at 9-1.

While that could seem unlikely, there’s still to factor in that those two teams will faceoff in what could be a pivotal Week 16 meeting in New England. That game was already flexed into a primetime kickoff slot, a 4:30 p.m. kick on Saturday.

Earlier this year, the Bills fell 16-10 to their divisional rival.

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Patriots activate Isaiah Wynn, place Gunner Olszewski on IR

The Patriots are activating left tackle Isaiah Wynn and placing wide receiver Gunner Olszewski on the injured reserve list.

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The New England Patriots have officially activated left tackle Isaiah Wynn from the injured reserve list. Subsequently, they placed wide receiver Gunner Olszewski on the injured reserve list because of lingering ankle and hamstring injuries.

Wynn was placed on the injured reserve list with a toe injury after New England’s Week 2 victory over the Miami Dolphins. He missed the entirety of his rookie season due to a torn achilles. He is healthy now and the Patriots can play him as soon as this week against the Dallas Cowboys — giving New England’s offense a considerable boost.

Olszewski hasn’t played since Week 8 and he became the team’s primary punt returner. He had an unlikely path to the NFL and finished his season with 20 punt returns for 179 yards. Mohamed Sanu took those responsibilities over in Week 11.

Tom Brady and the offense has struggled with instability on the offensive line, so Wynn will provide much-needed security on his blindside.

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The cavalry is Isaiah Wynn, and he’s all the Patriots have left

The return of left tackle Isaiah Wynn could be just the boost the Patriots needed to awaken their offense.

While the NFL world remains on Rob Gronkowski watch, the New England Patriots continue to struggle with the reality that their offense isn’t good enough, and returning left tackle Isaiah Wynn is the only one left to save it.

Wynn-ing is the only way out of this dystopian hellhole, where an offense led by quarterback Tom Brady is the glaring weakness on the football field.

The Patriots’ left tackle is slated to make his long-awaited return for Sunday’s match-up against the Dallas Cowboys. Brady will be ecstatic to see him after he was clotheslined and body-slammed in the pocket by the Philadelphia Eagles’ ferocious defensive front.

At this point, fill-in left tackle Marshall Newhouse is probably happy to see Wynn back on the field as well after serving as the proverbial punching bag for criticism during the Patriots’ struggles. There is enough film of Newhouse getting blown up on the line to piece together a feature length movie.

Cue the Superman theme as Wynn swoops in to attempt to save the day.

Before going down with an injury, Wynn flashed serious talent in protecting Brady’s blindside. The 42-year-old quarterback threw for 341 yards and three touchdowns in the season-opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, which was the last full game Wynn played in.

He was only in for 12 snaps against the Miami Dolphins before going down with a toe injury.

It’s no mere coincidence the Patriots’ struggles started the moment the offensive line took hits. For all of the jokes about the Patriots defense making New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold see ghosts, Brady is experiencing his own poltergeist issues in the pocket as well. It’s a natural occurrence when protection breaks down and the quarterback is left on an island at the mercy of 250-plus pound pass rushers.

Wynn’s return should serve as a domino effect across the entire offensive front. Not only will his mere presence increase Brady’s confidence in his blindside being protected, but it will also be a significant boost to the run game. The ability to consistently run the football is the reason why the Patriots won the Super Bowl last season.

An argument could be made their current receiving corps looks better on paper than the group they had back in 2018. The only difference this time around is the team’s inability to get the ground game going. They are too one-dimensional as a unit, and Brady lacks the requisite speed weapons on the outside to run a Patrick Mahomes-style offense. This is why he was so adamant about All-Pro wideout Antonio Brown being on the team.

He won’t say it publicly, but Brady knows the Patriots can’t win a seventh Super Bowl with the offense in its current state.

Wynn is the only hope the team has left.

The second-year lineman is the reason the team was willing to move on from Trent Brown, who signed a record-breaking deal in the offseason with the Oakland Raiders. He’s the reason Coach Bill Belichick was willing to shell out a first-round draft pick for the left tackle position in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Of course, it would be naïve to assume he can fix all of the problems for the Patriots. He’s simply a missing piece of the puzzle that should help get the run game going, which would enable the offense to strike the same balance it had last season.

The trade deadline is over, and any current free agent is probably unsigned for a reason.

Gronkowski seems to be enjoying his time as a FOX Sports NFL analyst. Even if he did return, there are no guarantees he’d be a significant help to the team. He missed all of training camp and half of the season. There is also no hiding the fact that he’s dropped a considerable amount of weight in his transition to life after football.

It’s time to accept the fact that Gronkowski’s football playing days are over.

Wynn is the cavalry the Patriots have been waiting for this season—not Gronkowski, Antonio Brown, A.J. Green or Stefon Diggs. He’s the last hope to rouse a sleeping giant that would suddenly be paired with a historically great defense. Leave everything you think you know about the offense at the door on Sunday. The real season for the Patriots starts now.