Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State: 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Garrett Wilson enters the pre-draft process as a top wide receiver and a potential top-10 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Here is his scouting report.

Name: Garrett Wilson

Position: WR

School: Ohio State

Height: 6’0

Weight: 188 pounds

Background

Garrett Wilson has had NFL buzz dating back to high school. He dominated for Lake Travis high in Texas and became one of the biggest names in high school football. Wilson quickly amassed offers from blue bloods such as Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma, and Michigan. Wilson, however, decided to join another national power and committed to Ohio State.

Stats

Wilson didn’t waste any time getting his collegiate career going. He got serious playing time as a true freshman and caught 30 passes for 432 yards and five touchdowns. Not even a COVID-shortened season could stop Wilson from improving his production in 2020, as he caught 43 passes for 723 yards and six scores in only eight games, while playing a crucial role in Ohio State’s playoff run.

Wilson was projected to be a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft entering 2021 and was a premier name in college football. Wilson improved yet again, crossing the 1,000-yard mark and catching 12 touchdowns in the process (70/1,058/12), all in 11 games.

Scouting Report

Garrett Wilson is one of the best route runners in the 2022 NFL Draft class. His elite lateral quickness and foot speed allow him to explode coming in and out of breaks. Wilson’s knack for creating separation jumps out on film and is easily one of his biggest strengths. Even on shorter pass patterns, Wilson regularly gets separation from opponents.

Ohio State’s offense used Wilson in a variety of ways in the passing game. He was able to make the plays close to or behind the line of scrimmage as well as deep downfield. This relatively balanced play style should suit Wilson well at the next level.

Despite being undersized, Wilson is very good at the point of the catch. He is more than able to compensate for his lack of size with his instincts and timing. Wilson does a great job of high-pointing the football, and his excellent body control and ball skills help him adjust while in the air. Wilson doesn’t have the physical traits to be a jump ball receiver at the next level, but he can make those plays when opportunity arises.

Overall, Wilson is pretty sure-handed. He had relatively low drop numbers in college, and many of those drops came from trying to turn upfield before he could get full control of the ball. The occasional focus drop shouldn’t be much of a concern and is very fixable.

As an athlete, Wilson falls in the “CeeDee Lamb territory” of guys who don’t have to run 4.3 to be electric after the catch. Lamb ran a 4.5 at the 2020 combine, and I anticipate Wilson running a similar time.

However, the 40-yard dash doesn’t do Wilson justice. He was as dynamic as any player in college football with the ball in his hands and was absolutely lethal in the open field. Wilson’s elusiveness also gave him opportunities on end arounds and kick returns at Ohio State. Even if NFL teams choose to use Wilson as just a pass-catcher, his versatility in college shows the athleticism he possesses.

The primary concern with Wilson’s game translating to the next level is size. He is only six feet tall, and 188 pounds. He’s had some trouble dealing with press coverage. This is why Wilson is projected my many draft outlets as a slot receiver in the NFL. The lack of size also hurts Wilson as a blocker. Run blocking isn’t the most sought-after trait in wide receiver prospects, but it is still important an is another area for improvement.

Final Thoughts

Wilson’s pro potential ultimately hinges on what he can do from the outside. If he is able to overcome the size concerns and handle press coverage, he has all-pro upside. It’s hard to find any major holes in Wilson’s game. Sure, he’s a little small and could be a better blocker, but as a receiver, he is as polished as anyone in the 2022 NFL Draft. His crisp route running and playmaking ability make him a sure-fire first-rounder in the 2022 NFL Draft.