Patriots Isaiah Wynn explains why he slimmed down this offseason

The Patriots recent history at left tackle suggested that the team liked players built like mountains. When it came to Nate Solder and Trent Brown, both players looked like NBA power forwards standing at 6-foot-8. They also happen to weigh somewhere north of 330 pounds.

With Isaiah Wynn, you have a contrast in appearance. The Patriots starting left tackle has the height of a point guard at 6-foot-2 and he weighs 310 pounds. Those measurements are what you see form guards and [...]

The Patriots recent history at left tackle suggested that the team liked players built like mountains. When it came to Nate Solder and Trent Brown, both players looked like NBA power forwards standing at 6-foot-8. They also happen to weigh somewhere north of 330 pounds.

With Isaiah Wynn, you have a contrast in appearance. The Patriots starting left tackle has the height of a point guard at 6-foot-2 and he weighs 310 pounds. Those measurements are what you see form guards and centers in the NFL.

Wynn, however, isn’t concerned about his size or lack thereof. He actually slimmed down this offseason. Recognizing that he’s built differently, the 23-year-old burnt fat and built muscle this offseason. He says he feels healthier than he ever has and the results are overwhelming positive on the football field.

"I just need to, especially me playing at my position, me kind of being the smaller offensive lineman compared to other left tackles in the league, I needed that," Wynn said. "So, that helped. It just helped being able to be more solid, being able to sit down during bull rushes in the pass game and be more physical in the run game."

Through two games this season, Wynn hasn’t allowed a sack. In fact, he hasn't allowed quarterback Cam Newton to be pressured at all. According to Pro Football Focus, Wynn has allowed zero pressures on 72 pass blocking snaps. It’s taken Wynn some time to find his footing on the field, but the Patriots 2018 first-round pick looks like a gem.

Wynn’s first NFL season was cut short due to an Achilles injury. He didn’t appear in a game as a rookie. In 2019, a turf toe injury had him spend eight games on the short-term injured reserve. Wynn played and started eight regular-season games at left tackle, but it was clear there was some rust there.

Wynn said that he felt healthy for the first time as a professional this summer. Slimming down and added muscled helped, too. For him, due to his size, he focuses on pure strength and technique to keep pass rushers off of his quarterback. Wynn also said he watched film of NFL veteran tackle Kelvin Beachum, who’s started 101-career games while starring 6-foot-3 and weighing 308 pounds.

"I look at guys like Beachum that was with the Jets and now with the Cardinals," Wynn said. "We’re kind of similar size, so just being able to watch guys around his size and be able to see how good they are with their technique, that’s definitely something that I look forward to modeling my technique and career after."

mdaniels@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @MarkDanielsPJ