Draft Analysis: Johnny Wilson

April 24, 2024 /
  • Height: 6’6″
  • Weight: 231 lb.
  • College: Florida State
  • Tape watched: LSU, Florida, Clemson, Boston College
  • NFL Comparison: Collin Johnson

Pros

  • Size

Johnny Wilson sits in the 99th percentile of height, wingspan, and arm length. He is also 97th percentile in weight and 87th in hand size. Simply put, Wilson is a monster the NFL has not seen, maybe ever. A true 6’6″, Wilson wont find a corner that can come close to matching his height, arm length, and leaping combination. Having this type of advantage just stepping on the field is a major plus for Wilson.

  • Release

Bigger receivers tend to struggle with release footwork and staying small enough to avoid leverage losses. Wilson is almost immune to this with how far he can play outside his immediate frame. His jab steps consume so much space that corners have to respect and adjust their leverage. Otherwise, Wilson is fast enough and can out stride you if he gets a few steps. I’d have liked to see Wilson be more consistent with his physicality. He had really good reps of just overpowering corners but went away from this too often.

  • Blocking

Johnny Wilson receives the award for best blocking receiver in the 2024 NFL draft. Wilson can stand spread-eagle and be more effective as a blocker than 90% of the draft class. He is very good at creating an absurdly wide base, and using his long arms to keep defenders out of plays. He has active feet that constantly move and reset.

Midline

  • Route Running

Wilson showed a good feel for spacing and when to get his head and hands around to the quarterback. In man situations, he used his body and shoulders well to create space by making contact with defenders. This is his best path to success in the NFL.

Unfortunately, Wilson struggles with getting up to speed and making sharp cuts due to his size. He struggled to win deep on the outside for his size profile.

I need more of this. Wilson leans on his defenders and bounces off to create separation over the middle. This is his path to success in the NFL.

Cons

  • Hands/Contested Catches

Too many elementary plays dropped by Wilson. He only completed 9 contested catches in 2023 as well. He opts for basket catches far too often for how long his arms and big his hands are. His receiver archetype needs to dominate the catch point.

These plays should be slam dunk for Wilson. He has to convert this catch.
Wilson fully utilizes his alien arms on this rep.
  • YAC

The taller they are the harder they generally fall. Wilson gets chopped down like a tree. He can occasionally break a tackle, but he isn’t making anyone miss in space. His best bet is to dive forward every play and collect the free 2.5 yards.

Overview

If Wilson can be drafted by a team that lets him go out and be the biggest guy on the field, he should have plenty of use in an offense. Where he will struggle is in quick strike offenses with nuanced routes. A major mismatch, Wilson is an immediate redzone boost to an offense. Though little experience in college (<10%), Wilson could be a very interesting slot target.