Entering the preseason, Florida State’s Johnny Wilson was one of the top wide receiver prospects for the 2024 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-7, 235-pounder is a size-mismatch problem with surprising athleticism for such a giant receiver. In 2022, he averaged 20.9 yards per reception while hauling in 43 passes for 897 yards and five touchdown. However, Wilson has not been impressing pro evaluators this season. WalterFootball.com spoke with sources from eight NFL teams and found they all had Wilson graded after the first round for the 2024 NFL Draft.
“Too many butterfinger moments and he’s not sudden, bursty or fast,” said a NFC director of college scouting. “More possession, jump-ball guy to win above the rim, but inconsistent hands. You want juice in the first round, and if you don’t have that, you better have glued-up hands and special route running.”
Multiple team sources compared Wilson to former Florida State wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin. Benjamin had some early success but could not sustain a pro career. This season, Wilson has 16 receptions for 303 yards and zero touchdowns. New teammate Keon Coleman has been the more impressive Florida State receiver to league sources.
There is still a lot of season left to play – eight more regular-season games -, and Florida State is a top contender to place in the ACC Championship Game and the college football playoff. Perhaps Wilson will play better over the final two-thirds of the season, but right now, team sources do not see him as a first-round prospect for the 2024 NFL Draft.
