Patriots free agent listed among top players still available
If any players on the 2022 New England Patriots roster have reason to complain about the team’s decision to experiment with top offensive coaches, it’s offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn. Wynn is No. 5 on Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com’s list of best available free agents, and the fact that he’s unsigned at all shows how far […]
If any players on the 2022 New England Patriots roster have reason to complain about the team’s decision to experiment with top offensive coaches, it’s offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn.
Wynn is No. 5 on Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com’s list of best available free agents, and the fact that he’s unsigned at all shows how far his stock has fallen since he was selected 23rd overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Wynn was moved from left tackle to right tackle last season after New England filled vacancies at offensive coordinator and offensive line coach with former Detroit Lions head coach/Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. Patricia has since been replaced in New England by offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien and offensive line coach Adrian Klemm.
Wynn garnered the lowest PFF grade (54.6) of his career last season in the position switch. He let up four sacks, two QB hits and 11 hurries and was penalized nine times in nine games with seven starts. Previously, his lowest PFF grade of 70.7 came in his first season as a starter in 2019.
Wynn missed his rookie season with a torn Achilles. He played 34 regular-season games and made 33 starts over his next three seasons with most of his snaps coming at left tackle.
The Patriots don't have space for Wynn after signing offensive tackles Riley Reiff and Calvin Anderson in free agency. Wynn hinted that he wasn't interested in returning to New England anyway.
Wynn’s undersized at 6-foot-2, 310 pounds and isn’t a fit at tackle for every team’s blocking scheme. But he was an average left tackle — albeit an oft-injured one — before moving to right tackle. Wynn could be a fit for some teams at guard, though he’s played just 85 career regular-season snaps at the position.
The Patriots picked up Wynn’s fifth-year option prior to the 2022 season. It’s rare for a player whose fifth-year option was picked up to be available this late in free agency as he enters his sixth season.
If a team signs Wynn, he would not longer count towards New England's compensatory pick formula. The Patriots are not expected to receive any comp picks in 2024.
Featured image via Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports