Georgia’s Isaiah Wilson Would Be A HUGE Addition For The Green Bay Packers

22Views

April 14, 2020

Georgia offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson, a 350-pound mountain of a man, could sneak into the first … [+] round of next week’s NFL Draft.

Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Note: The NFL Draft begins April 23 and the Green Bay Packers have the 30^th pick in the first round. Between now and then, I’ll examine 30 players the Packers could select with that pick.

Today, we look at offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson of Georgia. A full list of players that have been spotlighted is at the bottom of this story.

ISAIAH WILSON, OT, GEORGIA

THE SKINNY

Wilson — a mountain of a man — made the surprising decision to declare for the NFL Draft after just three seasons in Athens.

Wilson, a top-20 national recruit, redshirted in 2017. He started all 14 games at right tackle in 2018 and earned freshman all-American honors.

Wilson battled an ankle injury in 2019, but still made 10 starts and played in 11 games. He was named second-team all-American by the Associated Press.

MEASURABLES

Height: 6-6

Weight: 350

Bench press: 26

40-yard dash: 5.32

Vertical jump: 29.0”

Broad jump: 110”

Arms: 35 1/2”

Hands: 10 1/4”

SCOUTING REPORT

Wilson has remarkable size and the physical traits to be a dominant right tackle for a decade. His technique and footwork both need work, though, which is why many were surprised he left Georgia after just two years of playing experience.

Wilson is long and broad and surprises his opponents with suddenness when he’s on the move. Wilson’s power in the run game and his ability to find targets in space are both extremely impressive.

Wilson’s unique size makes it tough for pass rushers to get around him. His overall improvement as a pass blocker excites scouts, as well.

Wilson’s hands and footwork are both inconsistent. At times, he lacks awareness as a pass blocker.

If Wilson gets the right coaching, though, and masters the technical part of the game, his ceiling is extremely sky high.

PACKERS’ PREDICAMENT

Green Bay, which had one of the top offensive lines in football in 2019, needs help.

The Packers let elite right tackle Bryan Bulaga leave in free agency, and signed former Lion Rick Wagner to replace him. That’s risky business, considering Pro Football Focus ranked Wagner just 62^nd overall among offensive tackles last season and Detroit released him on March 13.

In addition, left tackle David Bakhtiari and center Corey Linsley will become free agents in March, 2021, and the Packers will be hard-pressed to pay both.

General manager Brian Gutekunst would be wise to find someone to compete with Wagner in 2020, and become a starter sooner than later.

THEY SAID IT

NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah on Wilson: “I talked to two GMs (last week) and both believe Isaiah Wilson will go in the first round. That’s too rich for me, but it looks like it’s going to happen. (They’re) betting on the upside.”

Offensive tackle Andrew Thomas, Wilson’s former teammate at Georgia: “(Wilson’s) a physical freak. He’s a good player.”

Wilson on where he’s improved the most: “I know I’ve become more of a student of the game. I like to see what’s happening before it happens, like seeing the blitzes before they come. I like to know what to do before the ball is even snapped.”

Yahoo Sports NFL draft expert Eric Edholm on Wilson: “Some NFL scouts secretly wished Wilson would have stayed in school for his final season, believing he had first-round potential in 2021 with another year of improvement. They’re still very much interested, even if the first round feels like a reach this year.”