David Andrews Sees a ‘Natural’ in New Teammate Isaiah Wynn
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
The Patriots enter the 2018 in rare territory. For just the third time since Pro Bowl left tackle Bruce Armstrong took his first snaps in 1987, the Pats are in search of their long-term answer on the blind side.
Best-case scenario? That first-round pick Isaiah Wynn earns the job from the jump, proving his critics wrong about his lack of prototypical height. Wynn’s athleticism, footwork, and wingspan could very well make up for the fact that he’s “only” about 6-foot-3.
But regardless of where Wynn ends up on the Patriots’ offensive line, the team ostensibly landed a high-end talent at the position. Ask Wynn’s new/old teammate David Andrews, who has kept in touch with his fellow ex-Georgia Bulldogs linemen, and he’ll tell you the same.
“I knew Isaiah would be a good player coming in, just watching him,” Andrews said. “He’s very natural and stuff like that. And then we kept in touch at Georgia, you know. We had a big group message with a bunch of linemen, so he was always in there.”
Jan 8, 2018, Atlanta, GA, USA: Georgia Bulldogs tackle Isaiah Wynn against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the CFP National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
Andrews didn’t see a first-round talent right away, but it quickly became clear to the Patriots center that Wynn would make it to the top level at some point.
“I mean, over the years watching him, I thought he was just very gifted and it just kind of came natural to him from what I saw,” Andrews said. “I’m no scout or coach, but I just always thought he was a really good player.”
Andrews played one year at Georgia with new Pats teammates Wynn and running back Sony Michel. Wynn played a little guard in his freshman season in 2014 alongside Andrews, who was a senior that year.
Even if Wynn doesn’t seize the starting left tackle role as a rookie, it certainly sounds like the Patriots grabbed an NFL-ready talent with their top pick. Can’t be too hard to develop a guy if he’s simply a natural.
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.
