2018 NFL Draft: New England Patriots find value with Isaiah Wynn

The New England Patriots spent their first of two picks in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft on Isaiah Wynn, a physical offensive lineman from Georgia.

More: Follow our instant grades and live reactions for every top pick in the 2018 NFL Draft

The New England Patriots decided to abort the Brandin Cooks experiment after one season, shipping the receiver to the Los Angeles Rams this spring. The marriage was short-lived, but the Pats were able to move up in the first round. In return the Pats received the No. 23 overall pick. With Julian Edelman returning in 2018 the need for Cooks became ancillary compared to more significant needs at other positions.

In typical Bill Belichick fashion, the Pats have managed to make their team better at a more than reasonable price. With the No. 23 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Patriots selected Georgia offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn.

Wynn proved himself against some of the best defensive lines in college football on the Bulldogs’ run to the College Football Playoff Championship Game. Both the Alabama and Clemson defensive lines from 2017 will produce at least one, if not multiple first round picks. That includes Da’Ron Payne, who went in the first round in 2018.

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A tackle in college, Wynn was expected to move to the inside in the NFL. He might have a long-term future at guard, but the Pats could keep him at tackle for the time being. Nate Solder has moved on, opening up the position. Keeping an aging Tom Brady upright continues to become more and more important, making Wynn an easy pick.

Wynn isn’t a home run, but given the lack of depth at the offensive line in this class, he’s a solid pickup for a team that had a legitimate need.