5 burning questions the Patriots must answer in 2019

5. Is Isaiah Wynn ready to start at left tackle?

The Patriots had high hopes for Isaiah Wynn in 2018, when they drafted him with the 23rd overall pick out of Georgia. Nate Solder had departed in free agency for a huge payday from the New York Giants, and Wynn was expected to fill Solder’s shoes at left tackle.

Things didn’t go according to plan when Wynn tore his Achilles tendon in a pre-season game, ending his rookie year before it even started. The Patriots had to grab Trent Brown in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers to replace Wynn, and the move paid off in spades as Brown emerged as a star under the tutelage of brilliant offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia.

Brown spent the year protecting Tom Brady’s blind side, and his hard work helped the Patriots run through the playoffs and win the Super Bowl. That was fortuitous timing for Brown, who hit the free agent market after the year and was paid handsomely by the Oakland Raiders, who handed Brown a four year deal worth $66 million.

The Patriots did draft a tackle in the third round, tabbing Yodny Cajuste out of West Virginia, but he is projected to be more of a swing tackle at this stage in his career. That means New England is entrusting the left tackle spot to Wynn, which was their plan a year ago before Wynn tore his Achilles.

Wynn has progressed well in his rehab from the injury, but it remains to be seen if Wynn will be impacted by the missed time. The Patriots opted not to bring in a veteran to push Wynn, so the job is his by default, meaning Wynn will play a huge role in the Patriots’ offense next season.