2018 Draft - 1st Round (Thur 4/26 8PM)

Patriots select Georgia OL Isaiah Wynn
Adam Kurkjian

Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP


FOXBORO — Lamar Jackson was there for the taking, but the Patriots passed on the Louisville quarterback for Georgia offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn with the No. 23 pick in Thursday night's NFL Draft.

Wynn, who started at left tackle for the Bulldogs, was projected by many as an offensive guard at the next level, but he was announced when the pick came in as an offensive tackle, which could possibly clue in the chance that the Pats see him as an eventual left tackle replacement for Nate Solder, who left for the New York Giants in free agency.

The 6-foot-3, 313-pound Wynn does not necessarily possess ideal size for left tackle, but held down that position for the Bulldogs well this season as they made it to the national title game. Wynn was a second-team All-American and a first-team All-SEC selection.

Wynn's versatility as someone who can play both at tackle or the interior makes for an attractive quality to the Pats. Although Wynn's future could be as Solder's successor, he could very well replace either Joe Thuney at left guard or, down the line, riht guard Shaq Mason, who will be a free agent after next season and is in line for a big payday.


www.bostonherald.com/sports/patriots/the_blitz/2018/04/patriots_select_georgia_ol_isaiah_wynn

Patriots tried to trade up for center Frank Ragnow, maybe they’re not happy with their OL
The Patriots have been trying to add a bigger body to their interior line.
By Rich Hill

Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images


The New England Patriots selected offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn at 23rd overall and many expect the former Georgia Bulldog to compete for the left tackle position. But perhaps this report of who the Patriots were interested in trading up to draft reveals a better positional fit for Wynn.

The Patriots reportedly loved 6’5, 312-pound Arkansas center Frank Ragnow entering the draft- and they loved him enough to trade and trade up to select the player that ultimately went to the Detroit Lions at 20th overall.


What could have caused the interest in Ragnow? His former coach had some seriously high praise to sing about Ragnow’s potential.

“Bret Bielema, his former coach who recruited him and knows him really well, said he’s had five offensive linemen go in the first round, and he said [Ragnow’s] the best offensive lineman he’s had,” ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit reported. “He’s had some good ones. He said he’s the best one he’s had going back to Joe Thomas. That’s a strong statement from Bielema.”

Beilema also happened to serve as a scouting consulting for the Patriots this draft and certainly helped to drive up the team’s interest in his former star center.

This marks the second season in a row where the Patriots have had an interest in bolstering their interior line after they expressed interest in former Indiana OL Dan Feeney. The Patriots interest in Feeney even led ESPN’s Mike Reiss to wonder if the team would have signed captain and center David Andrews to an extension if they drafted Feeney (Andrews was one of the top centers in the NFL in 2017 so everything worked out).

But the team’s interest in Feeney and Ragnow highlights how the team has been looking to strengthen their interior line and could point to Wynn possibly moving to the inside, especially if the Patriots do ultimately acquire San Francisco 49ers tackle Trent Brown.  < They Did!


www.patspulpit.com/2018/4/27/17290386/patriots-tried-trade-up-center-frank-ragnow-not-happy-offensive-line-isaiah-wynn