Patriots Draft Offensive Lineman Isaiah Wynn With 23rd Overall Pick In 2018 NFL Draft
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
The Patriots selected Georgia offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn with the 23rd overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday night. Wynn mostly played left tackle during his career with the Georgia Bulldogs, making him a potential candidate to fill the Pats’ vacant starting left tackle spot.
Wynn’s draft profile at NFL.com grades him 6.11, denoting that he should become an “instant starter.” He’s listed on NFL.com at 6-foot-3, 313 pounds, which could make him too undersized to play tackle. He’s described as a future guard at the NFL level.
Wynn earned second-team All-American and first-team All-SEC honors in 2017, starting all 15 games at left tackle for Georgia.
Here are some of Wynn’s strengths, via NFL.com:
— Initial quickness is above average
— Stays connected to his blocks and rarely falls off
— Effective as move blocker and base blocker
— Offers tackle-level pass technique if bumped inside
— Has body control and balance and feet to handle counter rush moves
— Plays with disciplined hand usage keeping them inside opponent’s frame in both run and pass
— Hands are very strong
— Has starting experience at both guard and tackle
And a sample of his weaknesses:
— Is a little lean in his lowers with a high-cut frame
— Built more like a tackle than a guard, but is packed into a 6-foot-2 frame
— Will have to prove he can withstand NFL power
— Could benefit from getting better arm extension into initial punch as interior blocker in NFL
— May lack necessary pop in his hips to displace 1-gappers who are clogging running lanes
— Will lose patience and chase on occasion rather than standing his ground and making defenders come to him
Here are some video highlights of Wynn during the 2018 BCS National Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Watch for No. 77 on the left side of the Georgia O-line:
Wynn may project physically as a guard, but he certainly has the versatility to play tackle if necessary. He’ll compete for a spot on the left side of the Pats’ offensive line with Joe Thuney and Tony Garcia, and also provide insurance for right guard Shaq Mason as he enters the final year of his rookie deal.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
