New York Giants Draft Prospect Profile: WR Michael Wilson

Michael Wilson has had some injury issues, but that aside, he also has some talent worth considering late in the draft.

Author:
Nick Falato
Publish date:
Apr 19, 2023 8:00 AM EDT

In this story:

New York Giants

Stanford Cardinal

Michael Wilson, WR

Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 213 lbs.
Class: RS-Senior
School: Stanford
Age: 23 (born 02/23/2000)

Combine Measurements

Arm length: 31 ⅛”
Hand size: 9 ¾”
40-yard-dash: 4:58
10-yard-split: 1.53
Vertical jump: 37 ½”
Broad jump: 10’5”
Short-shuttle: 4.17* Pro Day
Three-Cone: 6.81* Pro Day
Bench press: 23

A former four-star recruit out of Chaminade High School in West Hills, California, where he was the 42nd-ranked receiver and the 30th Californian recruit during the 2018 cycle. Wilson was also a dominant basketball player in high school, and he was twice named the Chaminade Male Athlete of the Year due to his abilities as a receiver and a point guard.

Notables

Michael Wilson’s collegiate career was plagued by a variety of injuries. Through his five seasons at Stanford, Wilson played in just 34 games. Wilson suffered a Jones fracture in 2020 that was reinjured two days after he was medically cleared in the summer of 2021; both injuries required surgery and extensive rehab.

He then suffered a season-ending injury that was not specified in 2022, but he was able to play in the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl. He’s only played in 14 games over the last three seasons. [STATS]

Wilson was a respected team captain for the Cardinal, and he was a two-time All-Pac012 honorable mention. He only had over 500 yards receiving in one season (2019). There’s been a steady drumbeat for Wilson since the Senior Bowl - it’s easy to understand why off the tape -- but the injuries will affect where he is selected come late April.

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Strengths

Excellent build and look for an NFL WR
Good overall athlete with impressive COD and agility
Quick feet -- great blend of suddenness and physicality
Very good fakes at the LOS to create separation vs. Press
Can run any route - runs routes with urgency/can tempo
Elite and determined route runner - violent route runner
Explosive fakes up his route stem
Wildly smart route runner vs. zone coverage - knows how to find space
Good strength at the catch point
Showed ability to box players out and use his body to his advantage as a contested catch threat
Has ability to concentrate and track well - could be more consistent
Controlled while adjusting to the football - prompt
Good ability to pick up YAC through vision, AA, and physicality
Not an easy player to bring down in space
Blocks his backside off
Those around the Cardinal program rave about his character and worth ethic
Has special teams upside
Elite competitive toughness
Easy player to route for

Weaknesses

Extensive injury profile
Had more drops than touchdowns in college
Limited production due to injuries - missed 16 games across the last three seasons
Frustrating drops on tape - must be more consistent
Deep speed is modest

Summary

Michael Wilson is a tough player with NFL traits who dealt with adversity at Stanford. The injuries are, unfortunately, a gigantic story when looking over Wilson’s profile. Still, his determination as a route runner, along with his ability to create separation despite a lack of elite deep speed, are traits that will successfully translate to success in the short to intermediate parts of the field at the next level.

He’s a very smart player -- a team captain -- and one who sets a standard for others to emulate. There are several red flags that were out of Wilson’s control, but he is a perfect dart throw on day three who could be a grand slam if he can stay on the field and clean up certain aspects of his game. Few players are better route runners in this draft; despite his injuries, there’s still plenty of upside for Michael Wilson.

GRADE: 6.25* (* injury red flag)