Strengths
Athleticism: Wilson’s exceptional athleticism for a center is his most notable trait. He displays rare speed and agility that allows him to reach the second level with ease, making him an ideal fit for zone-heavy offensive schemes3. His lateral quickness is particularly impressive, enabling effective pass protection and the ability to adjust to stunts and blitzes.
Football IQ: Wilson demonstrates a strong football IQ, quickly diagnosing defensive schemes and making accurate line calls. His background as both a linebacker and offensive lineman provides unique insights into defensive strategies, enhancing his ability to read and react to complex fronts.
Pass Protection: In his lone year as Georgia’s starter, Wilson led the nation with a 90.5 PFF pass-blocking grade on true pass sets. He shows good technique and consistency in pass protection situations, with the ability to sit down, redirect, and flatten out counter moves.
Run Blocking: Wilson is an effective run blocker, showcasing the ability to create lanes and drive defenders off the ball. He wins using good initial quickness, tight hand placement, and strong hands to maintain his clench once latched, stay attached, and strain to widen out defenders on base and angle-drive blocks.
Versatility: Wilson’s experience at both linebacker and offensive line positions in high school demonstrates his versatility and adaptability. This positional flexibility is highly valued at the NFL level.
Weaknesses
Experience: With only one full season as a starter at the collegiate level, Wilson’s experience is limited. This raises questions about his ability to read and react to complex NFL defenses consistently.
Hand Technique: Wilson needs to improve his hand fighting techniques and ability to sustain blocks through the whistle. Refining this aspect of his game will be crucial for success against NFL-caliber defensive linemen.
Strength: While not a glaring weakness, Wilson could benefit from adding functional strength to better anchor against powerful NFL nose tackles. This would help him maintain leverage and control in both run and pass blocking situations.
Arm Length: Scouting reports suggest Wilson has middling arm length, which can provide easy access to his frame for defenders. This can lead to him getting push-pulled and shed quickly when he doesn’t win the initial leverage battle.
NFL Draft Projection
Jared Wilson projects as a day two selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, with the potential to be picked as early as the third round. His combination of athleticism, football IQ, and solid performance in both pass protection and run blocking make him an intriguing prospect for teams running zone-heavy offensive schemes.
Wilson’s ability to quickly process defensive fronts and execute reach blocks will be particularly appealing to teams that employ wide-zone concepts. His exceptional explosiveness off the snap allows him to gain leverage quickly against defensive linemen, a valuable trait for any interior offensive lineman.
While he may benefit from time on a practice squad to polish his technique and adjust to the NFL level, Wilson has the tools to develop into a day-one starter. His transition from high school linebacker to SEC center demonstrates the football acumen and work ethic needed to carve out a long-term role in the pros.
Scheme Fit and Comparison
Wilson’s athleticism and ability to reach the second level make him an excellent fit for zone-blocking schemes. Teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, or Green Bay Packers, known for their use of zone concepts, could view Wilson as an ideal addition to their offensive line.
An NFL comparison for Wilson could be Juice Scruggs, as suggested by B/R NFL Scout Brandon Thorn. Both players share similar athletic profiles and versatility on the interior offensive line.
Conclusion
Jared Wilson represents a high-upside interior offensive line prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft class. His exceptional athleticism, strong football IQ, and solid performance in both pass protection and run blocking make him an attractive option for teams looking to bolster their offensive line.
While his relative inexperience and need for technical refinement present some risk, Wilson’s potential to develop into a reliable NFL starter is evident. With proper coaching and development, he could become a valuable asset to an NFL offensive line for years to come.
As the draft process unfolds, Wilson’s stock may rise, especially if he performs well during the NFL Scouting Combine and Georgia’s Pro Day. Teams in need of interior offensive line help should keep a close eye on this promising prospect as the 2025 NFL Draft approaches.
