Detroit Lions Draft Prospect: Interior offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn

The Detroit Lions have visited with Georgia’s Isaiah Wynn. They are looking for help on the interior of their offensive line and Wynn definitely qualifies.

Wynn fits the Bob Quinn mold for a Detroit Lions first round pick. He immediately starts at left guard, a position where the Lions are weak. That allows last year’s starter Graham Glasgow to move to a more natural fit at center. Wynn played his Sophomore year at the left guard position before moving to left tackle for his senior year at Georgia. Unlike many players asked to move inside at the pro level, Wynn has playing experience. That makes his ability to succeed as a guard easier to project.

Additionally, Wynn’s ability to play tackle in a pinch helps the team avoid last year’s nightmarish scenario of losing Taylor Decker to an injury with no backup plan. Wynn’s 33-3/8″ arms are not ideal, but they are hardly a handicap that matters more than his high level of play.

Wynn has the first step burst of a pass rusher. Where that helps him is getting into position for run blocks. He initiates contact almost every play. Wynn controls the hand battle as well, which often makes up for his lack of length. His ability to control other players hands made me look for a wrestling background. Sadly I can neither confirm or deny anything about Wynn’s high school experience other than the 2371 yards the Lakewood Trojans ran for in his senior season.

Wynn answered questions at the Senior Bowl. Scouts were curious whether he was going to be able to drop his center of gravity enough. A guard needs to do that to anchor against a bull rush from a defensive tackle. Every rep looked as good as the last. He may need to put on some weight in his lower extremities, but he has the technique down.

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The bottom line is that Wynn’s positional diversity and the Lions needs match up very well. I hesitate to use the words “Patriot way” in reference to Bob Quinn. The addition of Matt Patricia has, however, made the Lions valuing that versatility more likely not less.