The New England Patriots should forego the 5th year options on Isaiah Wynn and Sony Michel and use the money saved elsewhere. They have to decide by May 3.
So, why shouldn’t the Patriots keep one very, very talented player in Wynn and one decent player in Michel for their fifth years?
They’d reportedly cost the following:
"… they will earn minimum fifth-year option salaries for their position groups which are $4.523 million for Michel and $10.413 million for Wynn …"
So why would two former first-round picks NOT be worth the $15 million investment? Simple, their play or their reliability doesn’t warrant it. Neither. Let’s take a look at why.
For the New England Patriots, performance and reliability should guide personnel decisions not draft status
First, the team’s personnel evaluation should not depend in any way, shape, or form on draft status. Once you hit the facility at Gillette, you’re just another guy trying to fit in, make the team, and perform. That’s it.
It’s not great optics to cut loose a high or higher draft pick in their first few years and teams will try to avoid it if they can rationalize it.
But it’s counterproductive to team interests. If they can’t play, they can’t play and should be sent out.
Why Patriots should not pick up option on Isaiah Wynn
Let’s talk about the tougher choice, Isaiah Wynn.
Let’s just say that Wynn is a magnificently talented player. Some might say unique.
I have in this space referred his super ability on more than one occasion. When it comes to talent, he’s near the top of the heap.
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A small center’s size, yet able to play left tackle. It’s quite unique in today’s NFL. It frankly, just doesn’t happen. Almost at all. Who else is doing that?
It comes down to the player’s footwork which is a thing of beauty.
And for sure, while then offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia, the gold standard at that coaching position was around, the Patriots were very careful about who they’d select at that position, especially in the first round.
Wynn obviously passed muster and if you look at his Georgia highlights, he was virtually unbeatable. The problem was and is staying on the field. He can’t.
Wynn’s missed 70 percent of New England’s games since he came on board. That’s just not going to cut the mustard. When he plays, he’s solid.
Frankly, he shouldn’t be played at left tackle now anyway (a change in thinking here) since the trade for Trent Brown. Wynn doesn’t play enough for a starting offensive left tackle where reliability is key.
That position should be the sole province of Brown. Use Wynn’s talent elsewhere in 2022 and see what happens. The fifth-year option should be declined.
Why Patriots should not pick up option on Sony Michel
Sony Michel is an ok NFL back but he too has had injury issues throughout his New England career. He’s played only 28 of 48 games as a Patriot. Better than Wynn’s tally but not good enough.
Michel’s 4.3 yards per carry is decent but he lacks explosiveness. He’s really not much of a long threat and like all of the New England backs, he’s not decisive or productive in short-yardage.
The entire stable of backs is/was wracked with injuries. The team couldn’t count on them from game to game. It has to be frustrating for the coaches and the quarterback, whoever he is.
Cam Newton got little help from his backs last season with Damien Harris being the best of the bunch. Newton was the best back scoring 11 touchdowns on the ground.
Yet, Harris, a third-round pick couldn’t even break into the team his rookie year.
Last season Harris logged a respectable 5.0 yards per carry. Very nice. However, he only played 10 games. That’s not going to get it done.
New England seems to be locked into backs in the 210-215 pound range. They are tweeners. Neither big enough nor fast enough. It’s a poor first strategy to employ on running backs.
They are too small to be effective in short yardage. And, they are not explosive enough to be a long threat on a carry. The end result is little game-planning for them by opposing defenses.
Michel fits that size parameter. He has neither breakaway speed nor dominating power. New England should go away from that model. What to do? Draft big and draft fast. Not tweeners.
In sum, Michael’s option shouldn’t be picked up either. The $15 million should be utilized in 2022 for better or at least more reliable players.