2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Roman Wilson

Strengths

• Fast, agile player with quick change-of-direction abilities
• Explosive out of breaks
• Tempos speed well to keep CBs off balance
• Understands his role within the structure of plays
• MOF weapon with skills to create mismatches and the ability to time up conflicts
• Willing blocker
• Tracks the football well in the deep portion of the field, smoothly adjusting to throws
• Better at contested catches than expected (caught 9 of 17 in career)

Weaknesses

• Small, lean frame leads to questions about blocking, 50/50 balls, and YAC ability
• Struggles to fight through physicality at stem and jams at LOS
• Limited track record against press coverage
• Limited special teams experience
• Some inefficiency in release leads to issues separating
• Played in an extremely run-first offense, making it tough to gauge his route tree and the variety of concepts he understands
• Route urgency can be an issue at times, occasionally losing sight of the football and stopping his route mid-play

Final Thoughts and Chicago Bears Fit for Roman Wilson

Wilson currently has a top-100 grade from our team, bordering on a top-75 pick. That equates to a mid-third-round grade. Wilson finally broke out in 2023, and that started in last year's College Football Playoff game, where he was consistently able to run open.

On tape, Wilson takes full advantage of his limited pass-catching opportunities. He wins routes with excellent speed, which he gauges well to keep defenders off balance. Additionally, Wilson has an understanding of his role within the play design. There were multiple instances on tape where Michigan schemed mismatches for him against linebackers who couldn't keep up.

However, his smaller frame and lack of play strength could present issues at the NFL level and limit him to a slot role. His measurements and weight at the NFL Combine will surely impact his draft position. Also, coaches will need to work out some inefficiencies in his release. When given a free release, the footwork isn't as noticeable. But when faced with press coverage, his footwork impacts his ability to get off the line of scrimmage and separate.

Wilson could be a fit for the Chicago Bears in the third round. However, they're reportedly hiring Shane Waldron, a Mike Shanahan disciple, as offensive coordinator. I'm not sure that Wilson would be the ideal slot receiver for that offense. The Shanahan offense prefers to have bigger bodies in the slot for 11 personnel to ensure sound run blocking (see Jauan Jennings, Cooper Kupp, Allen Lazard).

However, Matt LaFleur recently made it work in Green Bay with Jayden Reed, while Mike McDaniel did the same in Miami with Braxton Berrios. There's evidence of receivers like Wilson working within the Shanahan offense. It'll just be a question of whether that's something the new coordinator wants to work into his scheme.

Pro Comp: Sterling Shepard