2022 NFL Draft: Why Garrett Wilson Is Still WR1 In The Class

After a fantastic game in a win over Purdue, Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson still looks like the 2022 NFL Draft WR1.

We live in a reactionary world. Even the best of us who try to keep things like the draft as a season-long and process-long venture, succumb to big games and fast starts for college players. Patience is an ally in this process, and falling for the big time performances isn’t as important as seeing the body of work.

The 2022 NFL Draft will be no different, as great weeks at the Senior Bowl will vault prospects in our eyes, as well as eye-popping numbers at the combine. Obviously, we’re here to have fun with the draft, because it’s a year-round ordeal. But at the same time, being wary of our own reactionary takes is important.

The race for WR1 in the 2022 NFL Draft perhaps isn’t as clear cut as it was made out to be. There were plenty who had Buckeyes wideout Garrett Wilson as the top guy headed into the season, and yet others who had his teammate Chris Olave ranked there. Treylon Burks was also up there, and Drake London has joined the party in recent weeks.

Wilson hasn’t had a ton of gaudy performances this season, crossing the 100-yard mark only three times in nine games, missing one contest in the process. Production is obviously a factor in evaluation, but having Olave and sophomore stud Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the room factors into it, as well as a developing quarterback in C.J. Stroud who needed some time to acclimate.

Still, he dropped off the radar for a bit in Big Ten play while others were putting up some big time performances. On Saturday, he reminded many why he’s still the 2022 NFL Draft WR1.

Wilson dominated from start to finish for the Buckeyes, catching 10 passes for 126 yards and three scores. He also had a 51-yard touchdown run as the Buckeyes stormed past the upset-minded giant killers that have been the Purdue Boilermakers this season.

It wasn’t just that Garrett Wilson dominated all night, but it’s how he won that was more important. His first touchdown was a simple concept that fooled the Purdue defense, as he took a quick out route to the house in the red zone. His second touchdown was impressive, especially for a smaller receiver at just 6′ and 188 pounds. Stroud threw to the back shoulder in the end zone, and Wilson made an impressive play on the football, adjusting well in the air, attacking and plucking the football, and securing it to the ground.

His rushing touchdown was another great play design, but ultimately Wilson shows off the burst in space that gets him to the second and third level quickly. His final touchdown was another underneath crosser concept that again put the defense in a tough spot to communicate, but it’s what he did after the catch that was impressive. His ability to stop and start with short area quickness, combined with the flexibility to open up his hips while changing direction to make defenders miss, is great stuff to see in an NFL that continues to build towards creating after the catch.

The ability to win in a variety of ways is huge for a player of the caliber of Garrett Wilson. His prowess as a route runner to separate and attack blind spots, his ball skills at the catch point, and his ability to create with the ball in his hands show a winner in all three areas of the game. It remains to be seen if he’s the first receiver off the board in the 2022 NFL Draft, but he has the makings of WR1.