KC Chiefs 2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: FSU WR Johnny Wilson

If Kansas City opts to add from the 2024 NFL Draft's wideout class, could Wilson pique their interest?

Mar 2, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida State wide receiver Johnny Wilson (WO38) during the 2024 / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The wide receiver position is a focal point of the 2024 NFL Draft, and that's no different for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Coming off an up-and-down 2023 season that ended in a championship win, it was obvious from start to finish that adding a pass catcher or two would be paramount. This spring, general manager Brett Veach got a head start by signing Marquise "Hollywood" Brown. With a proven veteran in the fold, the club's focus will soon shift to weighing whether to select someone in late April and bring them along as a rookie.

With the draft on the horizon, Arrowhead Report is taking a look at prospects who could hear their names called. Up next is Florida State wide receiver Johnny Wilson.

Background

• Height: 6063
• Weight: 231
• Age at draft: 23
• Relative Athletic Score: 9.70
• 2023: 41 receptions for 617 yards and two touchdowns
• Played two seasons at Arizona State and two at Florida State

Where Wilson creates advantages

Everything starts and ends with Wilson's size. He's a giant in this wideout class and would be in just about any group historically. His elite build and length, combined with a 230-plus-pound frame, make him one of a kind relative to his peers. Wilson's catch radius and competitiveness at the catch point suggest serious upside as a red zone threat and walking mismatch as a professional. He's also very difficult to contain over the middle of the field.

Contrary to what many would expect, Wilson doesn't always move like a tight end-sized receiver. He displays a bit of nuance in his route-running process and boasts respectable fluidity for someone that big. His ceiling is immense because of the occasional flashes mixed with the unique physical tools. Finding a way to bottle him up is a serious challenge for whoever his assignment is.

Where Wilson could be at a disadvantage

Of course, Wilson's size does come back to bite him at times. He's more of a build-up runner who could struggle against physical or lengthy defensive backs who aren't afraid of his stature. The ASU and FSU product is predictably not great at throttling down or changing directions in space. The perceived selling points of his profile — cookie jar-type snags and breaking off yards after the catch in excess — are sometimes more theoretical than practical.

Having just turned 23, Wilson is an inconsistent producer who doesn't have inexperience or youth to blame for his shortcomings. This lack of well-roundedness shows up in the intricacies of his route running, as well as his hands. He's known for struggling to come down with passes routinely and has a high drop rate. Wilson showcased the ability to potentially win as a slot option at Florida State, but his best NFL role (including playing tight end) is up for interpretation.

The verdict

This wide receiver class is no joke, to say the least. For a team looking to make a splash in the 2024 NFL Draft at the position, they can look no further than the first tier or two of players. Even after that, though, there's still a multitude of intriguing choices at clubs' disposal.

Wilson, despite how distinct his prospect profile is, is an ideal target somewhere in the middle of the draft for a professional program. At his best, he could be one of the game's most interesting developmental 'X' receivers or even a gigantic slot weapon just waiting to be unleashed. However, if he fails to cash in on his upside, it's hard to see him making a profound impact. A lot of what he accomplishes moving forward will have to do with how his first team implements him.

There aren't many, if any, wiser offensive minds in the NFL than Andy Reid. Could Wilson pique his interest? There's ample reason to campaign for Wilson to be used in red zone packages or a 'Y-iso' set while he gets rolling on honing the rest of his game in. As a rookie, while imperfect, envisioning his role is somewhat simple. The franchise that selects him is banking on its ability to consistently put him in good positions to succeed and see those efforts pay off. Wilson is a polarizing option in round four or thereabouts.