Eagles Rookie Emerging as Legit Threat in Key Position Battle
As the Philadelphia Eagles enter the month of August, training camp is about to turn up a notch. Preseason play is right around the corner, which will provide live-game reps to players hoping to either make the team, or earn a sizable role on this Super Bowl contender.
While this is very much a veteran-led team, it turns out one 2024 draft pick is making his case for an immediate role in Philly.
Johnny Wilson is getting more and more reps with the first-team offense, especially now with Parris Campbell sidelined. #Eagles
— EJ Smith (@EJSmith94) August 4, 2024
Eagles beat writer EJ Smith noted on Sunday that first-year wideout Jonny Wilson is "getting more and more" work with the first team in practice as camp progresses. Smith points out the absence of Parris Campbell, who's currenly sidelined by a groin injury, has created an opportunity for the rook -- and he appears to be capitalizing if the coaching staff is upping his workload.
Wilson's not just impressing Nick Sirianni and company, however. Fellow WR DeVonta Smith highlighted Wilson's incredible catching radius in comments on Sunday as well, while also praising the Florida State product for learning "fast" in camp.
DeVonta Smith on rookie WR Johnny Wilson:
— Brenden Deeg (@BrendenDeeg_) August 4, 2024
"He's a big guy, has a huge catch radius. He's young, but he's learning fast."
The 6'6, 230-pound WR saw 1st-team reps today, per @EJSmith94. Could be WR3 Week 1. pic.twitter.com/6uK4CPQftQ
It's a bit of a surprise to see Wilson already vying for a starting job this early into his career. After all, every NFL team -- including the Eagles themselves -- passed on the wideout multiple times in the draft before he was ultimately taken in the sixth round by Philadelphia. A lackluster senior year, and the fact he never crossed the 1,000-yard threshold in two seasons as a full-time starter, likely played a part in his tumble down the board.
That being said, Wilson had attractive physical tools coming into the league that made it worth taking a shot on him. At a whopping 6-foot-7 and 235 pounds, Wilson is an even bigger-bodied target than AJ Brown and provides a massive weapon for Jalen Hurts. That frame makes him an obvious red zone weapon if the Eagles can unlock his potential, and it seems he's already developing in camp.
Given how troublesome groin injuries can be, Wilson's path to a starting job as WR3 is wide open heading into the first preseason matchup.
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