The 2024 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 25, but most draftees this year will hear their names called between Friday and Saturday. Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson is likely to have a job offer come Friday evening, as he is expected to land somewhere between the second and third rounds of the draft.
Wilson was a standout on last season’s national championship-winning Michigan Wolverines team, catching passes from likely first-rounder JJ McCarthy. Wilson led the team with 789 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023.
Roman Wilson: Scouting Report
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein assessed Wilson as a Day 2 pick. While Wilson is somewhat undersized, not quite reaching the six-foot mark, his speed and separation ability set him apart in his draft class.
Smooth strider with alarming speed once he touches top gear. Wilson primarily focused on attacking the intermediate and deep portions of the field, adding an explosive element to the Wolverines’ ground-and-pound approach. Wilson is an electrifying athlete, which should push his stock up, but he’ll need to learn to level up his skill getting from Point A to Point B as a route-runner to reach his potential. Wilson has good hands and can run after the catch down the field, but he’s not really a catch-and-go option underneath. He has the separation potential to make a quarterback’s life easier and figures to continue his ascension as a starting slot talent.
Mock Draft landing spots
Wilson’s most likely potential landing spots are in the AFC North. The Bengals lost Tyler Boyd in the offseason and are on the rocks with Tee Higgins, and will need a solid second option behind Ja’Marr Chase going forward. The Steelers traded away Diontae Johnson after the 2023 season and will need more depth at the position. Wilson could also land with the Broncos, who traded away Jerry Jeudy this offseason.
Fantasy football implications
Wilson has the potential to make an immediate fantasy impact in his rookie year. If he ends up with the Bengals, he’ll be a WR3 behind Chase and Higgins in 2024 but could rise to the WR2 level in 2025, making him a valuable dynasty selection this year. He would be a rotational option with the Steelers alongside Van Jefferson and George Pickens, but depending on how their new offense looks under Arthur Smith, we could see Wilson becoming a valuable fantasy asset as soon as 2024.