Round 1 recap: Patriots draft Isaiah Wynn and Sony Michel

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The 2018 NFL Draft is well underway with Thursday being the first day of the event.

On day one, the New England Patriots had two first-round picks and chose to add two weapons to their offense.


Round 1, No. 23:

Isaiah Wynn is an offensive tackle out of Georgia who was the Patriots top pick, going No. 23 overall. Some say left tackle was New England’s biggest need entering the draft, and Wynn could help fill that void.

Wynn is considered a technically sound player who is able to handle adversity well. He’s shown that while coming back form labrum surgery that he underwent in January. The OT says he believes he will be ready for June’s minicamp.

Wynn’s biggest assets are his adaptability and that he is already familiar with “The Patriot Way." He and center David Andrews were teammates at Georgia who have a lot of admiration and respect for one another. The rookie is also a versatile player who could line up at all five spots on the line.

Round 1, No. 31:

Sony Michel is a running back, also out of Georgia who was selected as the Patriots No. 31 overall pick.

After losing Dion Lewis in free agency, New England had a need for a strong playmaker at this position, and they hope to have found it in Michel. According to some analysts, Michel’s game has been compared to New Orleans Saints’ running back Alvin Kamara.

A knee injury and ball security issues have plagued him in the past, but the Patriots aren’t concerned with it, as they know it takes a lot of development and time to become acquainted to the NFL. Patriots’ director of player personnel, Nick Caserio, said that ball security is a major thing the team works on, especially when a player first arrives. So right now, with Michel, he doesn’t think it’s an issue.


The Patriots get back at it on Friday with two picks in the second round (43, 63) and one in the third (95). Day Two of the 2018 NFL Draft kicks off at 7pm ET.

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