Patriots’ draft failures have resulted in a roster thin on young talent

Patriots’ 2018 NFL Draft class

Once again, injuries have played a significant factor in the lackluster return from the 2018 class.

New England double-dipped with two Georgia Bulldogs in Round 1, but it’s safe to say that neither player has quite lived up to expectations thus far.

Isaiah Wynn missed his entire rookie season with a torn Achilles, and he missed most of the first half of the 2019 season due to turf toe. When he did return to the lineup, he showed some holes in his game in pass protection.

With Thuney likely gone in free agency, that leaves a massive hole next to the third-year left tackle. In fact, the 6-foot-2, 310-pound Wynn could slide into that spot, where his frame, movement skills, and run-blocking skills may be a more logical fit.

Fellow SEC star Sony Michel has failed to replicate his big-play prowess from college, though he has scored 13 rushing touchdowns in two seasons. However, for a first-round running back, his complete ineptitude in the passing game and his inability to consistently break tackles or generate yards after contact is disappointing.

His shortcomings are only highlighted by the fact that college teammate Nick Chubb went four picks later and has been an absolute stud (2,490 rushing yards and 16 TD; 56 catches for 427 yards in two seasons).

Second-rounder Duke Dawson easily ranks as one of the worst picks in the Belichick era, as he was traded for a late-round pick after one season. The rest of the draft class has been largely invisible outside of fifth-round linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley.

There’s still time for Wynn and Michel to show more consistency, but overall this class has been a dud.