1. GARRETT WILSON | Ohio State 5116 | 183 lbs. | JR. Austin, Texas (Lake Travis) 7/22/2000 (age 21.77) #5
STRENGTHS: Elite body control and ball skills to make fluid midair adjustments ... explosive twitch in release package ... defenders better get their hands on him quickly, because he has the short-area explosion to create separation in tight spaces ... rare understanding of route leverage for his age ... snatches without breaking stride and instinctively sets up his cuts ... decelerates on command to give tacklers the slip ... plays bigger than he is, and shows the reflexes and contortion skills to win when covered (impressive 61.8 percent success rate in contested situations) ... physical with the ball in the air to high-point with his long arms, strong hands and terrific hand-eye coordination ... responsible for four plays of 50-plus yards (three receptions, one rush) in 2021 ... punt return experience, averaging 5.9 yards per return (35/205/0) ... impressive competitor with the intangibles desired for the next level (NFL scout: "The OSU coaches say he carried himself with the demeanor and work ethic of a professional when he was a freshman.") ... played primarily in the slot in 2020 and outside in 2021 ... production improved each season, and he leaves Columbus ranked top-10 in school history in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
WEAKNESSES: Has a slender, lean-muscled frame and lacks ideal body mass ... loose route runner, and needs to be sharper with his body movements and footwork ... plays physical but not powerful, and needs to continue improving his functional strength to fend off aggressive NFL cornerbacks ... average sustain skills as a perimeter blocker ... for a player with tremendous ball skills, drops too many easy passes ... build will lead to durability questions; missed one game as a junior because of concussion-like symptoms (November 2021); missed more than a month of senior year in high school because of a back injury (October 2018).
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Ohio State, Wilson was the X receiver in head coach Ryan Day's multiple spread offense, lining up primarily outside in 2021 after spending 2020 in the slot. Despite never leading Ohio State in receiving in any of his three seasons, his production increased each year, and he was one of only six FBS pass catchers to average more than 95.0 receiving yards and 1.0 touchdown per game in 2021. A Division I basketball recruit out of high school, Wilson credits basketball (his favorite sport) for developing the route athleticism and fluidity in and out of his breaks that makes him a true three-level threat on the football field. With his long arms and uncanny adjustment skills, he catches the ball well outside his frame and is comfortable operating with bodies around him. Overall, Wilson needs continued route refinement, but he makes the playbook come alive with his ability to get open before and after the catch thanks to his athleticism and instincts. With his slender frame, elite body control, and catch-point skills, he reminds me of CeeDee Lamb.
GRADE: 1st Round (No. 10 overall)
-Dane Brugler
[ Edited by InfernoDaLuz on Apr 20, 2022 at 1:58 PM ]