PHILADELPHIA: On Friday, Johnny Wilson entered the NovaCare Complex Auditorium with an appearance befitting a wide receiver.
Wilson is 6-foot-6 and 231 pounds, so an NFL watcher may see him as a flex-tight end or perhaps as a developing edge rusher who has to gain some weight. In fact, the Florida State native selected by the Eagles in the sixth round may have even pulled down a few rebounds to spare the Philadelphia 76ers from elimination on Thursday night in the NBA playoffs.
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Although several NFL teams scouted Wilson to shift inside due to his frame, the Eagles felt otherwise and made it clear that Wilson will start at wide receiver.
Following Philadelphia’s selection of Wilson in the sixth round of last month’s draft, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni stated, “I value the play strength, so it doesn’t necessarily ever have to be about the actual size.” “You enjoy it when they play strong because it’s a physically demanding game. Whether you are playing wide receiver or in the interior of the offensive line, it makes no difference.
“Once more, strong guys can be of any size or shape. Therefore, in the wide receiver position, we particularly value that. He possesses both play strength and quickness. He is fairly swift for his size. Therefore, we’re eager to collaborate with him.”
Sirianni, a former collegiate receiver, is knowledgeable about the mechanics required to play the position.
Wilson can “run the full route,” according to General Manager Howie Roseman. “I believe that when people don’t have the flexibility in their lower bodies to enter and exit their breaks, you [move players] a lot. With Johnny, we don’t observe that.”
“All of his production is coming from the outside, running outside routes,” Sirianni continued. Working alongside him at wide receiver is something I’m very excited about.”
Wilson has tended to favor larger wideouts in addition to more conventional ones who have achieved success in the league, even though some may view him as an anomaly.
Before the Eagles’ opening rookie camp practice on Friday, Wilson remarked, “My whole life, I’ve always been the taller guy, but I had a lot of dudes to try to model my game after and just through practice and repetition.” “I adore watching Harold Carmichael’s film play and his highlights. DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffrey was a dog here; his separation at the second level was excellent. I tried for a long time to mold my game after two other guys in the league, Davante Adams and Mike Evans.”
Longtime Tamps Bay mainstay Evans is 6-5, while former Eagles receiver Carmichael, who is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was 6-8.
Wilson claimed that his stature, ability to move his body in various ways, his ability to enter and exit breaks, and his exceptionally long arms occasionally worked to his benefit, particularly against smaller defenders and corners. “I’ve just tried to train a lot and use my body to my advantage over the years.”
With A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, two outstanding outside receivers who are in the prime of their careers, the Eagles do not require Wilson to contribute right away. But Wilson’s ultimate objective is to take use of his physical attributes.
Let’s introduce Aaron Moorehead, the receivers coach for the Eagles. At 6-3, he was a lengthy wide out in his playing days in Indianapolis.
Wilson said of his new coach, “He’s definitely tall, too, and he was a great receiver when he played.” He was always attempting to give me advice along the lines of, “You’re a bigger guy so you can use this to your advantage,” ever since we first connected on my thirty-first visit and he was present for my pro day. So having a guy who’s built a little bit like me has been really helpful, especially when it comes to the playbook and adjusting. He is eager to assist all the young men. He is impartial toward all of them. That’s nice.
Wilson is liked by the Eagles, who frequently search for Day 3 deals with a certain quality.
“He’s—what’s the word?” Roseman gave Sirianni a smile.
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