The regular season has come to a close, and most teams have already begun the complicated process of preparing for the 2023 season. In the coming months, we'll be covering the impending free agents most capable of shifting the balance of power in the NFL.
The Player: Isaiah Wynn
Isaiah Wynn has been a serviceable and sometimes promising offensive lineman since being taken 23rd overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, but injuries (38 missed games), size issues (he's only 6'2"), and a somewhat fraught relationship with the New England Patriots have kept him from real superstar status. He's coming off a down year (54.6 Pro Football Focus grade over nine games in 2022), but he has versatility and run-game prowess that can make him an asset in the right scheme. He has shown signs of greatness: he earned an exceptional 82.6 overall grade from PFF in 2020 and followed it up with a strong 74.9 in 2021.
The Fit:
An undersized left tackle with some guard experience, Wynn makes sense for teams that want mobile offensive linemen with quick feet. The Patriots transitioned to more man-blocking in 2022, which required larger road graders, and he was a poor fit. Teams that are looking for a balanced approach on offense yet have gaping holes at left tackle would make sense, but his lack of length will be a stumbling block for nearly every team in the league. His former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is currently head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders and is definitely in need of offensive line help.
The Cost:
Wynn is hitting free agency at a bad time in his career. The NFL has skewed toward towering behemoths at tackle, and his tape at guard isn't terribly enticing. He'd probably be best served to try to rehab his value on a short deal. He also needs to prove he can stay healthy. Something like a one-year, $10 million deal would probably be the best he could hope for.
Photo Credit: © Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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