From now until the 2023 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way down to Day 3 selections, and priority undrafted free agents. Today we’ll be profiling Stanford WR Michael Wilson.
#21 Michael Wilson/WR Stanford – 6017, 213 lbs. (Senior)
Senior Bowl/Combine
MEASURABLES
| Player | Ht/Wt | Hand size | Arm Length | Wingspan |
| Michael Wilson | 6017, 213 | 9 3/4 | 31 | N/A |
| 40 Yard Dash | 10 Yard Dash | Short Shuttle | 3-Cone | |
| 4.59 | 1.50 | 4.27 | 6.81 | |
| Broad Jump | Vertical | Bench Press | ||
| 10’5″ | 37.5 | 23 |
THE GOOD
— Great run blocker
— Ideal size as a physical X-receiver
— Plays with toughness
— Versatile route runner
— Attacks the ball aggressively
— Serious threat on double moves
— Not afraid to get hit, plays well in traffic
— Difficult to tackle, doesn’t go to the ground easily
— Can take the top off any defense
— Good catch radius
— Always plays at full throttle
THE BAD
— Missed many games due to injury, 2019 was his last full season
— Not enough experience, played just 14 games in the last three years
— Struggles against press coverage
— Too many wasted steps in his route running
— Lacks finesse to his game, not a fluid mover
— Doesn’t create much separation
— Concentration drops
BIO
— 4-star recruit out of West Hills, CA
— Birthday: February 23, 2000 (age 23)
— Played football and basketball in high school
— Nephew of Maureen Jacobson, former World Cup player for New Zealand’s soccer team
— All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention 2020, 2022
— Multiple award winner for leadership, attitude on and off the field (2020-2022)
— Awarded for his performances in the Big Game 2019 and 2020
— Team captain 2022
— Senior Bowl standout 2023
— Career stats: 134 receptions, 1662 yards (12.4 average), 11 touchdowns
TAPE BREAKDOWN
Michael Wilson is the type of physical outside receiver who can go for deep balls and work through defenders. He doesn’t possess elite speed to run away from coverage but uses his body strength to get back to the ball and shield off defenders.
With his body size, he’s able to haul in even high passes. His ability to get up and attack the ball at the catch point will be very useful on third downs and especially in the red zone. If Wilson can stop his concentration drops, he’ll be a serious threat.
What stands out the most on tape is his ability and mentality in run blocking. Just like a tight end, he gets in contact with his defender and drives him backward until the whistle. He is easily the best blocker in this year’s wide receiver class. As Wilson uses his upper strength and body control, he consistently controls any type of defensive back.
He doesn’t mess around and tries to dominate:
As a physical player, Wilson is hard to stop with the ball in his hands. Although he isn’t blazing fast, he is hard to tackle in the open field. Running through defenders, he often survives initial contact and continues running. Defenses need multiple players to get him to the ground.
During Senior Bowl practices, Wilson showed his skills against press coverage with his ability to make sudden double moves on the defender. He likes to be fancy in his movement to make the cornerback’s hips turn. There are still some wasted steps in his game that hinder him from getting separation.
Different from his physicality in the run game, Wilson prefers to beat his man with his feet coming off the snap. He could use more of his powerful arms to release from tight coverages, as he struggles to beat it consistently.
CONCLUSION
Wilson is the type of player every team looks for on offense: a physical X-receiver with good speed and the ability to run any route. Especially more traditional, run-heavy schemes will suit his game very well. There is still room for concern, as he missed many games during his five years at Stanford due to injury. When healthy though, he constantly was a mismatch that QB Tanner McKee liked to exploit. Wilson could see the field early in his NFL career but needs to become more experienced in beating coverages. He could also translate as a big slot, given his best traits as a blocker and running in traffic.
Projection: Future starter, if he can stay healthy
Depot Draft Grade: 8.1 – Future quality starter (2nd Round)
Games Watched: vs Utah 2021, vs USC 2022, at Washington 2022, at Oregon 2022, Senior Bowl
