2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jared Wilson

Wilson participated in every test at the NFL Combine except the bench press and the three-cone drill. He boasts high-end athletic traits across the board, with above-average speed, explosion, and agility. This results in an unofficial Relative Athletic Score of 9.98 out of 10. That number can still change as official testing numbers are released and pro-day testing occurs.

Background:

Coming out of high school, Wilson was a highly regarded three-star recruit (per 24/7) from North Carolina, ranked 25th among interior offensive linemen in his class. He chose Georgia over offers from powerhouse programs such as Alabama, Clemson, and Ohio State, drawn by the Bulldogs’ strong offensive line tradition. 

After redshirting his first year and seeing limited action as a reserve, Wilson earned the starting center role in 2024 and quickly emerged as one of the top linemen in the SEC. His breakout season earned him Second-Team All-SEC honors from both the coaches and media, and named to the Rimington Trophy watch list, an award given to the nation’s top center. He also garnered SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors in Week 9 of the season, further solidifying his reputation as one of the conference’s best interior blockers.

Wilson enters the 2025 NFL Draft as one of the class's most intriguing young offensive linemen. A redshirt sophomore, Wilson wasn’t expected to declare this early, but he made the leap after an impressive 2024 campaign. If he had returned for another season and continued his upward trajectory, he likely would have been a top-40 lock in the 2026 NFL Draft. Despite his limited starting experience, his talent and potential are undeniable.

His performance at the NFL combine solidified him as the top pure center in this draft class. Wilson led all offensive linemen with a 4.84 40-yard dash time, the second-best time ever recorded for a center prospect.

Strengths:

• Athleticism: Wilson moves with rare fluidity for a center. He can climb to the second level and engage linebackers with ease. His movement skills allow him to be highly effective on pulls and in space.
• Anchor Strength: He possesses a stout frame with thick lower-body strength, allowing him to anchor well against powerful interior defensive linemen.
• Football IQ: Operates as the leader of the offensive line, making pre-snap protection calls and identifying blitzers. Wilson processes defensive movements quickly, effectively recognizing and neutralizing stunts and twists.
• Versatility in Run Schemes: He played in an inside zone and gap-heavy scheme at Georgia, but he has the physical and mental tools to fit into any NFL system.
• Competitive Motor & Awareness: Wilson is always looking for work, maintaining advantageous positioning, and consistently finding ways to contribute beyond his primary assignment.

Weaknesses:

• Hand Placement: His hands can be inconsistent, sometimes landing too far outside the defender’s frame, leading to holding penalties and inefficiencies when securing blocks.
• Pad Level & Knee Bend: Wilson needs to play with better leverage and knee bend to maximize his power and avoid losing his balance against longer interior defenders.
• Arm Length Concerns: While adequate for a center, his shorter arms can disadvantage him against defensive tackles with superior length, allowing them to initiate first contact and manipulate his balance.
• Tendency to Lunge: When dealing with defenders who use push/pull techniques, he can be overly aggressive, lunging forward and compromising his base.
• Limited Experience: Wilson has only one season as a starter, meaning he will likely need time to refine his technique and adapt to the NFL.

Final Thoughts and Chicago Bears Fit for Jared Wilson

While his limited experience keeps him from being quite the level of recent top center prospects like Tyler Linderbaum or Creed Humphrey, his ceiling is as high as any interior lineman in this draft. Wilson will step onto the field on day one and be one of the most athletic centers in football. 

That athleticism pops on tape, where he is elite at staying in front of defensive tackles in pass pro and climbing to the second level in the run game. Wilson grew up playing soccer but quickly outgrew the sport. His skills are apparent in his ability to work through trash with quick feet and still hit his landmarks.

Athletic centers usually weigh 300 pounds or even slightly under, but Wilson is 6'3 "and 310 pounds with a thick lower half. This allows him to win in multiple ways. He routinely stalled larger defensive tackles in pass pro because he could sink his hips and quickly find his anchor. In the run game, he kept his legs churning and created movement at the point of attack. 

While I believe he can fit in any scheme, he seems best utilized in a zone scheme that will take advantage of his elite athleticism. Given his inexperience, he would benefit from landing with a team with a veteran center he can learn from and a strong offensive line coach to help refine his technique. Wilson has all the tools to become a cornerstone on an NFL offensive line if he can clean up his hand usage and leverage.

The fit is obvious for the Bears, who do not currently have a center on the roster. Signing a veteran like Ryan Kelly and drafting Wilson in round 2 gives them an immediate upgrade to the position and a long-term solution. With Kelly's injury history and age, Wilson also gives them insurance. Regardless, Wilson seems like a no-brainer for the Bears, a team that has ignored the center position for far too long. 

NFL Comparison: Ryan Kalil

Up Next: Jalen Travis