Scouting Marquess Wilson
Earlier this week, the Jets confirmed the signing of former Bears wide receiver Marquess Wilson, who will compete for a roster spot in a crowded receiver group.
The 24-year-old Wilson is 6-foot-3, 206 pounds, and was a former seventh round pick for the Chicago Bears in 2013. He has started 14 games in his career, catching 56 passes for 777 yards and three touchdowns, but has missed a lot of time through injuries.
Background
Wilson was a productive receiver at Washington State but had an acrimonious exit from the program, having been suspended for violating team rules and then making some very critical comments about head coach Mike Leach and his staff. While he later withdrew those comments, his early entry into the draft only saw him drafted in the seventh round despite leading the PAC-12 in receiving in his sophomore year and setting a school record for receptions in a season.
Wilson had opened his career with two thousand-yard seasons but only played in nine games in his final year and ended up with 52 catches for 813 yards and five scores. In the previous season, he'd set career highs with 82 catches, 1,388 yards and 12 scores.
After the Bears drafted Wilson, he didn't play much as a rookie, starting one game and catching two short passes. In 2014, he started off on injured reserve but was activated in November and made six starts, catching 17 passes including his first NFL touchdown.
2015 was Wilson's best season statistically, as he caught 28 passes for 464 yards and a score. However, he once again ended up on injured reserve.
In 2016, he started off on the PUP list and then made just one start before he ended up back on injured reserve for a third year in a row. However, in that one start he had a career-best 125 yards on eight catches and a touchdown.
Let's move onto some further analysis of what Wilson brings to the table, based on in-depth research and film study.
Measurables/Athleticism
As you can see from his combine results, Wilson's workout numbers were all over the board.
His seven bench press reps was particularly disappointing, although he was only 194 pounds at the time and has bulked up to 206 since then, according to his listed weight.
Usage
Wilson has primarily played on the outside but he's had about a quarter of his career production out of the slot. None of his nine receptions in 2016 came from the slot though.
Deep threat
Wilson didn't have much success as a downfield threat in his first couple of seasons, as he only averaged eight yards per catch.
However, in 2015, he averaged almost 17 yards per catch and made some more plays downfield (three 40+ yard plays and eight 20+ yard plays). This was his only touchdown, on a corner route that was perfectly thrown by Jay Cutler:
While he's yet to show he can run beyond the defense on a long bomb, his size downfield enables him to catch contested downfield throws.
Here's a play where he gets downfield but then goes up to bring down the back shoulder throw:
Routes
Wilson's route running seems pretty good. He looks technically sound at the top of the route, often gaining an initial leverage advantage, and can make some sharp changes of direction to create separation:
One issue is that he can be too easily slowed up on his routes, although if he's added some strength over the last couple of years, that might have been resolved to some extent. That could be part of the reason he didn't have much success on downfield throws until his third season.
Hands
Wilson's hands are a little unreliable and he's dropped a few passes in each of the last few seasons. In his 125-yard game last year, he badly blew an easy chance at a second touchdown:
According to scouting reports, he had issues in college in terms of holding on when taking a big hit. However, he's quite good on jump balls and adjusts to the ball well in the air, as he did on this throw that was behind him:
Here was one spectacular juggling catch he made over at the sideline, just a few plays after bobbling and dropping an easy catch that was right in his hands:
Yards after the catch
Wilson doesn't have particular good numbers for yards after the catch or breaking tackles at the NFL level, but he runs through defenders and falls forwards when fighting for yardage. He attacks the ball well on this tunnel screen, getting his momentum going upfield well:
His longest catch in the NFL has been a 50-yarder on which he caught the ball about 10 yards downfield and then span away from the defensive back that was covering him to break into the open field.
Blocking
Wilson isn't regarded as a technically good blocker, although he gives a good effort and uses his length well against smaller defenders.
He has graded out okay in regular season and preseason action and hasn't been called for any holding or offensive pass interference penalties while blocking.
He makes it look easy on this screen pass, easily blocking his man out of the play downfield:
Physicality
As already alluded to, Wilson entered the league needing to fill out his frame and has done that to some extent. He needs to be stronger to ensure he can't get pushed off his routes and will be able to use his size better as a ball carrier and when blocking.
Instincts
Wilson seems to have a good ability to find an open spot on broken plays or against a zone defense, as he did here:
Wilson's only penalty at the NFL level has been a false start.
Scheme Fit
Having played in Chicago, Wilson will have experience of west coast tendencies. He's also played with Josh McCown in 2013, catching his first ever NFL pass from him. However, that was just a three-yard gain and the only time they connected in regular season action.
Wilson was obviously also a teammate of Matt Forté.
Special Teams
Wilson hasn't contributed at all on special teams at the NFL level and has no experience as a return man. He's only played a handful of snaps in the NFL on return units as a blocker.
Attitude
There was a minor concern over Wilson's exit from the Washington State program but he seems to have acquitted himself well at the NFL level.
Injuries
Wilson has been dealing with serious foot injuries over the last couple of years. He broke his foot in 2015 to end up on injured reserve, then broke it again at the beginning of the offseason program in 2016, to end up on the PUP list. After just three appearances in 2016, he broke it for a third time and again ended up on injured reserve.
He also had a broken clavicle in preseason in 2014, which meant he began the year on injured reserve and was activated later.
Conclusions
With the addition of Wilson and Devin Street, the Jets have added some height to the receivers group but there perhaps isn't room for both of them. However, if Robby Anderson is suspended there could be a chance at a temporary role.
If he can stay healthy, Wilson could be a solid pick-up based on how well he played in his only full game last year. He's been quite productive when he's played so brings some useful experience to the group.
This move continues a pattern whereby the architects of this "worst roster in the NFL" keep adding players that potentially look like they could produce some good low-cost contributions. Wilson himself might not pan out, but he's one of several guys that could help make this team more competitive than some are expecting.
Up next: We'll look at an addition from last year; defensive lineman Anthony Johnson.