When I spoke with Johnny Wilson about his favorite NCAA plays at the scouting combine, he made it very clear that he did NOT want NFL teams to think of him as a tight end as opposed to a receiver despite the limited opportunities for true receivers with Wilson’s measurables — there just haven’t been too many successful receivers over his 6′ 6⅜” height threshold.
“If you go look at the Louisville game, the tape speaks for itself. I feel like every week, I showed what I can do. Just look at the Clemson game; they had an elite defense, but I was able to create separation and make some plays against them.”
This 41-yard catch up the numbers against Clemson was a nice Exhibit A in Wilson’s case for himself — he burned up the numbers against cornerback Sheridan Jones’ press coverage, established the leverage he wanted, and took the ball in as safety C.J. Mickens was converging.
Florida State WR Johnny Wilson was eager to point out plays showing that he's not an automatic switch to TE. Against Clemson, "I was able to create separation and make some plays against them."
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) March 3, 2024
This 41-yarder up the numbers with CB and S converging is a good Exhibit A. pic.twitter.com/Bcunx4iHDD
The Eagles selected Wilson with the 185th pick in the sixth round, and both head coach Nick Sirianni and general manager Howie Roseman are fine with the receiver designation. “I think he can run the full route tree,” Roseman said. “I think a lot of times you do that when guys don’t have the lower body flexibility to get in and out of their breaks. We don’t see that with Johnny.”
“All his production is coming on the outside, running outside routes,” Sirianni said. “Really looking forward to working with him there at the wide receiver position.”
Roseman: “He’s — what’s the word?”
Sirianni: “He’s unusual. He’s unusual.”
The Eagles are just looking to get Wilson on the field to see what that unusual height/weight/speed ration can do for their passing game. They’re less interested in labels.
Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) April 18, 2024
PLUSES
— I'm calling Wilson a receiver for now, though most NFL teams see him as a tight end; he told me at the combine that he's really resistant to the switch.
— Wilson's measurables (6' 6⅜", 231, 84½" wingspan) are all 97th to 99th… pic.twitter.com/8zCP5PpES3
