love this, thanks
@chevss454 !
You're welcome, HS! Wilkerson came to my attention during my WR studies in the run up to the 2020 draft. He really intrigued me and I just couldn't understand why he wasn't more highly regarded. I remember liking him far more than his draft status warranted. I chalked it up to "small school" syndrome and hoped BB might be aware of him the same way he found Malcolm Butler. Anyway, I went back to my notes for 2020 tonight and came upon some impressive athletic data that was impossible to ignore. I thought at the time it might make BB interested in Wilk.
I always pay attention to athletic comparisons of draftees in an attempt to find a bargain. Wilk looked like a bonafide bargain to me. The more I got into his game the more I liked him.
Now, athleticism is only a part of what makes a great WR but, to me, it's an important component that can make or break a prospect. Wilk had great athleticism, great hands, ran good routes even if his playlist was limited, he had plenty of speed and he fought for the ball. Those things can make a great WR.
These are RAS score comparisons and as you can see, only Chase Claypool had a better RAS score than Wilkerson yet Wilkerson was rarely mentioned by the "draft experts". Wilkerson was my sleeper pick for the Pats in 2020. With a couple years of coaching I thought he could be outstanding. Click the 'Player Page' to see a guy's RAS score calculations.
Chase Claypool Notre Dame 9.98
Player Page
Kristian Wilkerson Southeast Missouri State 9.81
Player Page
Denzel Mims Baylor 9.76
Player Page
Justin Jefferson Louisiana State 9.69
Player Page
Donovan Peoples-Jones Michigan 9.63
Player Page
Henry Ruggs III Alabama 9.55
Player Page
Antonio Gibson Memphis 9.29
Player Page
Marquez Callaway Tennessee 8.91
Player Page
Brandon Aiyuk Arizona State 8.47
Player Page
Claypool has done ok for himself as have the rest of these guys on this list. After reading this again tonight I'm even more encouraged that Wilkerson has a real chance to become a special player for us. It's up to him now.