Garrett Wilson

One popular part of the NFL predraft process is the pro-player comparison for incoming players. It gives fans an easy one-to-one way to evaluate traits of the rookie class and what they could turn into if everything goes right. 

ESPN rounded up several of its NFL writers and analysts, including draft gurus Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay, to make 10 player comps for the 2022 draft class. 

Here is the list of pro-player comparisons cited in the article:

• QB Kenny Pickett: Tony Romo (Dan Orlovsky)
• WR Garrett Wilson: Stefon Diggs (Matt Bowen)
• LB Devin Lloyd: Fred Warner (McShay)
• CB Ahmad Gardner: Antonio Cromartie (Mike Tannenbaum)
• WR Alec Pierce: Jordy Nelson (Kiper)
• OT Ikem Ekwonu: Tristan Wirfs (Matt Miller)
• CB Derek Stingley Jr.: Marshon Lattimore (Jordan Reid)
• DT Jordan Davis: Vita Vea (Steve Muench)
• OT Trevor Penning: Jon Runyan (Jeff Legwold)
• TE Chigoziem Okonkwo: Jonnu Smith (Turron Davenport)

Given how volatile everyone believes this quarterback class to be, Pickett being compared to Romo would actually strengthen his argument to be the top signal-caller taken. 

"Pickett has an unsettled, backyard style of play," Orlovsky said. "The Pittsburgh QB consistently gets himself out of bad situations with his quickness and creativity. And when he is in rhythm, Pickett is highly operational."

In his scouting report about Pickett for B/R, Nate Tice did cite some of those traits while also highlighting some of the reasons to be concerned about him in the NFL:

Pitckett's ability to make defenders miss in the pocket and down the field and also throw off-platform on broken plays is a clear strength. He is not a statue by any means, and he can truly create plays for an offense. But he is not an overwhelming athlete, and NFL defenses will punish that tendency if his anticipation and willingness to operate from the pocket doesn't improve.

Romo went from being undrafted out of Eastern Illinois to playing 13 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. He was named to the Pro Bowl four times and finished third in MVP voting in 2014. 

Matt Bowen didn't necessarily correlate Wilson's skill set to Stefon Diggs but cited the way a team can use him "as a three-level target with inside/outside flexibility" to make the comparison. 

Stingley has been regarded as one of the most talented players in this class. The concerns about him are related to injuries and his best season coming as a true freshman in 2019. 

Stingley put together a strong performance at LSU's pro day last week to solidify his status as a top-10 pick. He is still in a battle with Sauce Gardner as the best cornerback prospect in this draft. 

Jordan Reid's comparison of Stingley to Lattimore is apt because Lattimore dealt with injuries in his college career at Ohio State. He had surgery to repair a hamstring injury in 2014 before the start of his freshman year. 

After playing just seven games in 2015, Lattimore was named to the All-Big Ten first team as a junior in 2016. He parlayed that performance, along with his talent, to being the No. 11 pick in the 2017 draft by the New Orleans Saints. 

Gardner's comp of Cromartie is appropriate because they are both tall and long cornerbacks. Gardner measured in at the 96th percentile of all players at the position at 6'2¾" with 33½" arms. Cromartie was exactly 6'2" with 33" arms. 

Davis stole the show at the NFL Scouting Combine last month. Muench noted his size (341 pounds) and athleticism allow him to handle "one-on-one matchups and occupy double-teams" similar to Vea, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers star.    

The New York Jets have the Nos. 4 and 10 picks in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft, and they reportedly met with multiple potential targets on Monday.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the AFC East team met with Ohio State wide receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, who could both go in the top 10 of the draft. That the Jets met with wide receivers is notable considering Schefter pointed out they attempted to trade for Tyreek Hill before the Kansas City Chiefs sent him to the Miami Dolphins.

The Jets need to improve their offense after finishing 28th in the league in points per game in 2021, and providing Zach Wilson with weapons such as Olave or Wilson would be an ideal place to start.

After all, Elijah Moore was the team's only pass-catcher with even 500 receiving yards last season with 538. The lack of game-changing weapons surely didn't make life any easier for Wilson after New York selected him with the No. 2 pick of the 2021 NFL draft.

His rookie season was inconsistent at best as he completed 55.6 percent of his passes for 2,334 yards, nine touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Olave would likely immediately become the team's No. 1 wide receiver if it picked him in the top 10. He finished with 175 catches for 2,702 yards and 35 touchdowns in 38 games during his Ohio State career and set the school record for touchdown receptions in the process.

Wilson could likely fill that role as well after he finished his career with the Buckeyes with 143 catches for 2,213 yards and 23 touchdowns in 32 games while also working as a punt returner at times.

B/R's NFL Scouting Department ranked Olave as the second-best wide receiver in this draft behind USC's Drake London and the 10th-best overall player in its post-scouting combine big board. Wilson came in at No. 21 overall and the sixth-best wideout.

That could line up perfectly with the Jets' selection, although there are plenty of options at wide receiver in this draft between London, Olave, Wilson, Jameson Williams, Treylon Burks, Jahan Dotson and more.

New York is apparently doing its homework at the position and met with Olave and Wilson as it looks for more information ahead of the draft.

Two of the top receivers in the 2022 NFL draft class were on display at Ohio State's pro day Wednesday as Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson looked to impress team personnel.

The receivers ran routes and caught passes from Buckeyes teammate C.J. Stroud, who is expected to be one of the top quarterback prospects in 2023:

Olave notably showcased his speed on some routes:

Wilson took advantage of the chance to show off his hands and concentration:

The performance seemed to impress those watching.

There was no shortage of team personnel in attendance, including several high-ranking franchise reps.

The Washington Commanders could be looking for another reliable receiver alongside Terry McLaurin to help out quarterback Carson Wentz in his first season with the team.

Olave is considered the second-best receiver and 10th-best player at any position in the 2022 class by Bleacher Report's Scouting Department. The 6'0" wideout had a knack for getting to the end zone, leading Ohio State with 13 receiving touchdowns this season while totaling 32 scores over the past three years.

Wilson came through for the Buckeyes in 2021 as well, totaling 70 catches for 1,058 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, adding one rushing touchdown during his breakout year. The 6'0" player is listed No. 21 overall and the sixth-best receiver by the B/R Scouting Department.

Both Olave and Wilson could be taken in the first round next month with plenty of teams looking to add talent at the position.  

HEIGHT: 5'11 3/4"

WEIGHT: 183

HAND: 9 7/8"

ARM: 32"

WINGSPAN:  6'4 1/2"

40-YARD DASH: 4.38

3-CONE: DNP

SHUTTLE: 4.36

VERTICAL: 36"

BROAD: 10'3"

POSITIVES

— Very good athlete who can make multiple defenders miss in tight spaces due to his balance and lateral quickness.

— Has very good burst and long speed and can take any catch or handoff the distance. Dangerous on screens and underneath throws.

— Consistently able to create yards after the catch.

— Good overall hands.

— Good catching range and is comfortable extending for balls away from his body. Has the balance to turn for throws and still maintain momentum going forward.

— Above-average height and length.

NEGATIVES

— Can play a bit out of control. Will stumble when breaking on routes.

— Improved route-runner but inconsistent. Can telegraph what he’s doing with lunge steps and opening up his upper body.

— Struggles versus press coverage. Physical defenders can give him issues.

2021 STATISTICS

11 G, 70 REC, 1,058 YDS (15.1 AVG), 12 TD, 4 ATT, 76 YDS (19.0 AVG), 1 TD

NOTES

— 2021 second-team All-Big Ten

OVERALL

Garrett Wilson is a dynamic receiver who has the lateral quickness and explosiveness to take any throw or handoff the distance. His foot speed and balance let him consistently miss the first defender with the ball in his hands and make him dangerous on underneath throws and screens to create yards after the catch.

Wilson is more of an athlete than true wide receiver at this point. He has improved as a route-runner but will need to continue to refine his polish and consistency at the next level. He will telegraph his route breaks at times by lunging forward and has the tendency to expose his chest. Wilson wins on releases with his agility and balance but struggled to consistently win versus physical CBs who pressed him at the line of scrimmage due to his average strength and current lack of technique and release plan.

Wilson can consistently create yards out of nothing on underneath throws and on wide receiver screens. Overall, he is an exciting player with the ball in his hands who projects as an outside-only option that teams will love to dial up screens and designed runs for as well. His athleticism and hands will make him useful for NFL teams on Day 1, but he will need to continue to work on his route-running polish and ability to win against press coverage to ascend to more.

GRADE: 8.3 (Year 1 Starter - Late 1st-2nd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 19

POSITION RANK: WR5

PRO COMPARISON: Mecole Hardman

Written by B/R NFL Scout Nate Tice

Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson has declared for the 2022 NFL draft, he announced on Monday.

Wilson also told Austin Ward of Letterman Row that he won't play in the Rose Bowl against Utah on Saturday. The star won't be the only notable Ohio State player to sit out, though:

Wilson committed to Ohio State as a 5-star recruit out of Lake Travis High School in Texas, and it didn't take long for him to make a name for himself in Columbus. During his freshman season, he caught 30 passes for 432 yards and five touchdowns. 

As a sophomore, he racked up 43 catches for 723 yards and six touchdowns in eight games. The 21-year-old had his best season in 2021. Through 11 games, he caught 70 passes for a 1,058 yards and 12 touchdowns. 

Wilson has a strong ability to create separation and is a sharp route-runner. He can play the X, Z or slot positions and also run effectively on handoffs, per Pro Football Focus. That outlet compared him to Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. 

Sports Illustrated described some of Wilson's biggest assets:

"Wilson is a very smooth mover in space, both as a ball-carrier and a route-runner. He makes changing direction at full speed look extremely easy and silky. He has the versatility to line up anywhere on the offense. Excellent ball locator when he turns his head around on passes. He is extremely aware of his surroundings at all times and feels his space out. Near the sidelines, he seems to always know exactly how much room he has to safely secure each pass that comes his way in that area of the field."

Now that Wilson has committed to turning his NFL dreams into reality, he'll be able to focus on the NFL Scouting Combine and gear up for his first year in the pros.