The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
New England doubles up on Bulldogs
Draftees Wynn, Michel will join UGA alums Mitchell, Andrews on Patriots.
Just call the New England
FOXBOROUGH, MASS. — Patriots the University of Georgia north.
The Patriots used their two first-round picks in the NFL draft to plug a hole on their offensive line and to bolster their depth at running back.
They selected 6-foot-2, 302-pound offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn out of Georgia with the 23rd overall pick on Thursday night. They then chose 5-11, 215-pound Georgia running back Sony Michel with the 31st overall pick.
They were just some of several needs for the AFC champions following the departure of a handful of starters in free agency.
Wynn started his college career as a guard but shifted to left tackle as a senior, earning second-team AP All-America honors in 2017. But he said he’s open to playing anywhere on the offensive line at the next level.
“It doesn’t matter where the Patriots put me,
I’m ready to contribute any way I can,” Wynn said. Michel was a dual threat for the Bulldogs, rush
ing for 1,227 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior in 2017. He averaged 7.9 yards per carry and also had a receiving touchdown. He was one of three
running backs taken in first round, joining Saquon Barkley (No. 2 to Giants) and Rashaad Penny (No. 27 to Seattle). Wynn and join Michel a New England roster that already features two Georgia alums — starting center David Andrews and receiver Malcolm Mitchell. Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio said there was no hesitation in selecting a running back in the first round. New England hasn’t used a firstround pick on running back since taking Laurence Maroney with the 21st overall pick in 2006. The Patriots lost running back Dion Lewis to Tennessee in free agency. “Our thing is pick good football players that have good traits. However they get here, they get here,” Caserio said. “There’s no template of how you put it together.” Michel does enter the league with some baggage. Hehas a knee condition that concerned some executives heading into the draft process. He also had 12 career fumbles at Georgia. Michel said simply “I’m healthy,” when asked about his knee. He said the fumble issue is something he plans to correct.
‘Our thing is pick good football players that have good traits. However they get here, they get here. ’ Nick Caserio Patriots director of player personnel
“It’s all about being aware of how I carry the football,” he said. It’s “Ball placement. something I should focus on and work on.” Wynn is recovering from tearing the labrum in his shoulder back in November. He had surgery on it in January and said he’s “right on track for recovery.” He expects to be ready for minicamp in June. Wynn would seem to be undersized as a tackle at the NFL level, though he could be an option to replace left tackle Nate Solder, who signed with the New York Giants. Patriots starting right guard Shaq Mason — from Georgia Tech — is also entering the fifinal year of his rookie contract andwill become a nun restricted free agent following the upcoming season. The Patriots have started rookies up front before — left guard Joe Thuney started 16 games in his fifirst year in 2016.