Heading into the 2021 College Football season, Ohio State WR Garrett Wilson was considered by many to be one of the top receivers in the 2022 NFL Draft class. Through his play this season, Wilson has the Buckeyes in position to make the College Football Playoff, as well as holding onto his potential high draft selection. In this scouting report, we’ll breakdown what makes Garrett Wilson so special, his athleticism (including his 40 time), as well as how his skills and abilities will translate into the NFL.
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Garrett Wilson 40 Time
Garrett Wilson should run a 40 time in the low 4.4 range at the 2022 NFL Combine. During the recruiting process in 2018, Wilson ran a 4.61. Assuming that his number should drop with training, a low 4.4 seems reasonable. This would put him above the league average for the receiver position. On film, Wilson has tremendous quickness off the line of scrimmage, as well as elite speed through the stem of the route.
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Garrett Wilson Injury History
Earlier this season, Garrett Wilson missed the game against Nebraska with concussion-like symptoms. However, that was the only game that he missed and had a fantastic performance the following week against Purdue. As a result, Wilson should get a green light from medical professionals at the NFL Combine in March.
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Garrett Wilson Scouting Report
Pros
- Excellent At Creating Separation Throughout The Route
- Very Good Explosiveness And Acceleration
- Doesn’t Hear Footsteps When Catching In Traffic
Cons
- Needs To Improve His Contact Balance In Traffic
- His Catching Radius Is Smaller Than Other Top Receivers In This Class
- Poor Blocking Technique And Execution
Garrett Wilson is a three-year contributor for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Along with Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson makes up one of the best wide receiving duos in college football. Wilson is typically lined up as an outside receiver, but has the athleticism and abilities to play as an inside receiver, too. He has solid height and weight for the position. If Wilson is able to run a 40 time in the low 4.4 range, that would be slightly better than the league average.
Wilson has very good acceleration and quickness at the line of scrimmage. Displays a good ability to create separation throughout the stem of the route with his feet and shoulders. Possesses good explosiveness at the top of the route to create instant separation. His catching ability is solid and he’s able to climb the ladder to snag balls above his reach. Displays a good ability to secure catches outside the numbers and remain inbounds. Possesses good lateral agility to make defenders miss in close quarters. His route running ability is clean and crisp. Finally, Wilson has a good ability to catch passes in traffic without hearing footsteps from nearby defenders.
Garrett Wilson possesses an adequate catch radius. While he’s able to climb the ladder to snag passes, he struggles with balls low or away from his torso. He has an adequate contact balance to remain upright and balanced in traffic. Finally, he has a marginal ability to attack defenders and establish leverage when he’s tasked with blocking for his teammates.
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Garrett Wilson NFL Draft Projection
In my opinion, Garrett Wilson is one of the best wide receivers in this draft class. I currently have him listed as the best available wide receiver, although Arkansas WR Treylon Burks is making his own case. In addition to Burks, Garrett Wilson also has teammate Chris Olave in the mix, as well as USC WR Drake London, although London suffered a season-ending injury to his leg earlier this season.
Garrett Wilson is capable of playing any receiving position in the NFL, although I don’t see NFL franchises asking him to provide blocking help. I believe that he’ll be able to make an immediate impact on an NFL roster as a day one starter. He’s an immediate improvement on most teams that will be drafting in the top fifteen picks, which is where I believe that Garrett Wilson will ultimately come off the board in the 2022 NFL Draft.
