The Philadelphia Eagles added dimension to their receiving corps by deciding on Johnny Wilson within the 2024 NFL Draft. So as to study much more about Philly’s new cross catcher, I reached out to SB Nation’s Florida State weblog: Tomahawk Nation. Seminoles author Jordan Silversmith was sort sufficient to reply my questions.
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1) Are you able to recap his school profession?
Johnny Wilson didn’t begin at Florida State and took a singular path to turning into an NFL Draft Decide. He started his profession at Arizona State, the place the teaching employees couldn’t use him correctly. He completed his time in Tempe with simply 16 receptions, and after two years, he hit the portal and went east to hitch the now-heralded class with Trey Benson and Jared Verse.
When he got here to Tallahassee, he immediately grew to become a prime goal for the offense. His large body endeared him to Mike Norvell’s offense as he might run block and make big performs down the sector. The 6’7’’ behemoth completed the 2022 season, averaging over 20 yards per reception in eight of the 13 video games he performed in.
His finest efficiency got here in simply the third sport of the season; Wilson racked up 149 yards and two touchdowns as he carried the group to victory after Jordan Travis got here out injured within the first half.
A yr later, Wilson got here into spring camp because the clear #1 WR, however his function shrank when Keon Coleman joined the group from the switch portal in the summertime. With so many mouths to feed, Wilson’s manufacturing pulled again, as he solely completed with six or extra catches twice, half as many occasions as in 2022. His manufacturing additionally took successful as he missed two video games as a result of damage, after which the offense nose-dived when Jordan Travis’s season led to week 11.
Even nonetheless, his large play potential made him a continuing menace on the surface, as he went over 80 yards in 4 of the ten video games he performed. When Travis did go down, he grew to become the protection blanket for Tate Rodemaker and Brock Glenn, as they might look to him on third down and large moments. Followers will keep in mind him as one of many nice portal tales for Mike Norvell and helped revamp an offense that direly wanted a facelift after Mike Norvell’s second season.
2) What are his strengths?
Starting with the apparent, guarding a 6’7’’ receiver who runs a 4.57 felt unattainable at occasions for opposing defenses. FSU would continually throw again shoulder fades to him after they wanted a bit performs down the sector, and he used his body to field out corners and play above the rim. As talked about, FSU took loads of photographs down the sector as a result of Wilson’s potential to make contested catches and win on deep routes.
He utilized his dimension as a run blocker and have become an underrated piece to the Seminole floor sport. PFF graded him as a 75.8 and 73.9 run blocker in 2022 and 2023, respectively. In each sport final season, he performed double-digit run snaps, which speaks to his character and willingness to place the group first.
Whereas I can’t quantify this, he developed nice chemistry with all of the quarterbacks on the roster, and in large moments, the ball would typically go his manner. He carried out his finest when Tate Rodemaker began in opposition to Florida final yr and helped FSU dig out of a 12-0 gap to return again and win within the swamp. He completed with six catches and 64 yards; half got here on third down. It helped that he performed within the system for an additional yr over Coleman, however he would typically be the primary learn on third down.
3) What are his weaknesses?
Whereas Wilson could make the unattainable look simple and make it seem to be his catch radius spans a mile lengthy, he additionally makes the straightforward look tough. Early within the season, he had a brutal case of the drops that just about returned to chew FSU a number of occasions. Wilson would continually be on the jugs machine making an attempt to get it proper however by no means fairly received it underneath management. Apart from the drops, he may be stiff on the prime of his route and infrequently must win along with his dimension. Groups had been involved that he was a tweener, making some franchises really feel he can be a good finish on the subsequent stage.
4) Are you stunned the place he was drafted? Increased or decrease than anticipated? Good?
Perhaps I drank an excessive amount of FSU Kool-Help, however Wilson falling to the sixth spherical shocked me. He may be such a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses, and his manufacturing in school speaks for itself. He gave the impression of his camp thought he can be taken across the fourth spherical however close to the 100-pick mark. As I mentioned, groups will need to have been nervous about his place on the subsequent stage and his potential to win on the surface continually.
5) How do you see his NFL profession enjoying out?
Predicting the place sixth-round picks end out their profession is a crap shoot. It feels much more difficult for Wilson as he enters a group with two Professional Bowl WRs. Nonetheless, his distinctive body provides him a a lot greater probability to stay on the NFL stage. Anyone that stands 6’7’’ typically finds themselves with a number of alternatives, and he suits the invoice. Furthermore, the strenuous low season conditioning Florida State battles by means of ought to put together Wilson for the wear and tear and tear on the NFL stage. He’ll know methods to compete and take powerful teaching as Mike Norvell prides his program on these particulars. Who is aware of whether or not or not he ever turns into a 1,000-yard receiver? However, he can carve out a job for himself as a red-zone, run-blocking menace.
6) Something to find out about him off the sector?
Name it a private vendetta, however he can be unusual with the media. He didn’t communicate to the press earlier than his Professional Day, which each different participant moreover Keon Coleman did. He solely spoke after follow as soon as this previous season, which felt odd given his function and stature on the group. Wilson is a extra reserved persona who suits in properly with the kinds of folks round him on the offense. He ought to carry a relaxed demeanor to dwelling in a giant metropolis, one thing that might eat up different rookies.
