David

Wilson

The Giants close out the quickest and trade-heaviest first-round in years by grabbing a 1-2 punch for Ahmad Bradshaw. A two-sport (track) star for the Hokies, Wilson was the 2011 ACC Player of the Year after rushing for a school-record 1,709 yards. Though his instincts, hands, and durability are concerns, Wilson has outstanding burst laterally as well as north and south. Much like Bradshaw, he’s constantly fighting for extra yards. Wilson should contribute immediately for the G-Men, accruing RB3/flex value in fantasy leagues while Ahmad Bradshaw falls back to low-end RB2 territory.

“He looks very fast, which we knew going in,” Gilbride said. “But to actually see it on the field, it was -- I’m trying to think of the right word -- encouraging, exciting. ... He looks like if he has a hole, he’ll hit it and has a chance to do some damage.” Wilson needs to improve in the passing game, but he shouldn’t struggle to open the season as a 10-12 touch-per-week player.

He lost four. Ball security has been one of the bigger knocks on Wilson, although it’s a correctable flaw. Lande also calls Wilson “poor in pass protection,” a trait that could keep him off the field early at the next level. Lande remains high on Wilson’s talent, though. "(He) is the most dynamic back in this year’s draft,” writes Lande. “Wilson is a special runner on the perimeter.”

Wilson may have been better off going a pick later, as the Giants have an option to pick up the fifth year of his contract to avoid free agency. Wilson rivals No. 3 overall pick Trent Richardson for pure athleticism and may carry a slight edge in speed and lateral agility. The ACC Player of the Year will have to correct a fumbling problem and show better vision at the line of scrimmage to enter an even timeshare with Ahmad Bradshaw.

Wilson is known as a fumbler, but he has good-sized, 9 3/8" hands. Wilson ran sub-4.3 on Virginia Tech’s fast track as a freshman, and draftniks have praised his toughness while questioning Wilson’s vision. Along with Miami RB Lamar Miller, NFL Network’s Mike Mayock expects Wilson to be a second-round pick.

After doing our own film study, we’re on board. Cosell credits Wilson with an “explosive element,” an ability to “run with velocity” inside the tackles, and “speed to the perimeter.” Cosell also praised Wilson’s “balance” and body control, as he is a natural tackle breaker. Wilson must polish his passing-game skills, but he is ready to play on first and second downs in the NFL.

He also had the highest vertical jump among backs at 41 inches, and the most explosive broad jump (11 feet). Speed is not a question mark for Wilson, who goes a solid 5-foot-10 and 206 pounds. Fumbling has been an issue, and he was not used extensively in the Hokies’ passing game. He also needs to improve his vision. With all that said, Wilson projects as a top-60 pick. His fast forty time, athleticism, and explosion can only help.

Former NFL scout Bryan Broaddus described Wilson’s 4.12 20-yard shuttle as “even more impressive than the jumps.” Per SI.com draft analyst Tony Pauline, “Wilson ran terrific routes, showed soft hands and did a great job catching the deep ball” on the field. Wilson’s explosiveness is obvious both in games and via his measurables. He’ll be the No. 2 or 3 back drafted in April.

“If you put the Miami tape on, Miller doesn’t show up on third down, short yardage, or goal line,” observed Mayock. Lombardi also pointed to Miller’s inability to pass protect as a reason he shouldn’t go particularly high in the draft. Lombardi and Mayock, meanwhile, praised Wilson’s pass-protection skills. An inability to pick up the blitz can keep backs off the field early in their careers.

Wilson’s 990 yards after contact were 267 more than Trent Richardson’s, and the sample size isn’t skewed. Wilson had 290 carries to Richardson’s 283. According to the National Football Post’s Dan Pompei, the STATS X-Info is being used by “several teams” preparing for the draft in two weeks.