Why Caleb Wilson, Excelled in College Yet Didn't Make It in the NFL?
College football enthusiasts and draft analysts alike often wonder about players like Caleb Wilson from UCLA, who stood head and shoulders above his peers in receiving statistics yet were undrafted in the 2019 NFL draft. This article delves into the reasons behind his disappointing draft status and the factors that hindered his transition to the professional level.
College Star Turned Questions Mark
Caleb Wilson, a former tight end from UCLA, led all tight ends nationally in receiving yards per game (5.0) and receiving yards per game (80.4) over three seasons. However, his college success did not translate into a high draft pick in 2019. Instead, he was selected as the last pick in the draft. This article explores the key issues that led to his draft-day disappointment.
Analysis of Caleb Wilson's Profile
When evaluating Caleb Wilson, several factors emerged as significant:
Versatility and Strength/Athleticism
One of the primary issues was Wilson's versatility. Traditional NFL tight ends are typically specialists in either blocking or receiving. Wilson was perceived more as a big wide receiver rather than a traditional tight end. His ability to perform both roles was questioned—specifically his blocking.
The NFL has taken a strong stance on the importance of blocking tight ends. Teams usually avoid drafting a tight end who is viewed as a "blocking liability." Even though Wilson had a successful college career, his projected ceiling in the professional game was considered to be lower than what teams typically seek in this position.
Additionally, while Wilson was not undersized, his lack of physical prowess was a concern. He struggled with route running and making contested catches. These attributes are crucial in the modern NFL, where tight ends are often the primary targets in passing plays, but must also be capable of executing blocking assignments effectively.
Comparative Analysis: Caleb Wilson and Thomas Hockenson
A strong comparison between Wilson and the tight end picked eighth in the draft, Thomas Hockenson, illustrates the gap in their profiles. Hockenson is described as bigger, stronger, and more athletic. He also demonstrated superior blocking and route-running techniques.
Wilson was labeled more of a "receiver-only" tight end in the NFL. NFL teams generally prioritize a tight end's blocking skills over their receiving abilities. Wilson's lack of demonstrated blocking capability made him a less attractive prospect to higher draft picks.
Given Wilson's current skill set, it seemed that physical enhancements like increased size or strength would have allowed him to go higher in the draft. However, his lack of physical skills also suggested that he may not be able to "train up" into a quality blocking tight end, despite his current limitations.
College Success vs. Professional Challenges
Structurally, college defenses typically don't utilize tight ends as heavily in the passing game, giving Wilson the advantage of speed and separation. However, the NFL demands a different set of skills. Tight ends must be adept at running and catching sophisticated routes and protecting their blockers.
In the professional game, many wide receivers might run such basic routes that they are easily covered by safeties. Wilson's lack of route-running ability and his reliance on speed to get open in college often resulted in him not being open consistently in professional settings.
Defenses in the NFL are highly advanced and require tight ends to be versatile in both blocking and receiving. Wilson's inability to do both effectively, along with his lack of physical presence, meant that he was deemed a low-risk, low-reward prospect by NFL teams.
While some still valued him in later rounds due to his production in college, his lack of athleticism and versatility made him an undrafted player. The undrafted status of Caleb Wilson serves as a stark reminder to college players and analysts that success in college does not guarantee a spot in the NFL.
Conclusion
Understanding the specific performance and physical requirements of professional football can clarify the factors that led to Caleb Wilson's draft-day disappointment. His lack of versatility, combined with concerns about his physical capabilities, made him a low-risk, low-reward prospect. The journey from a college star to an undrafted NFL prospect underscores the importance of evaluating a player's potential across all aspects of professional football performance.