Arm Strength:

Tyler Wilson has a fairly strong arm and he can make all the necessary throws with ease. He does a good job of knowing when to put some extra zip on passes and when to add some touch. He shows flashes of fitting the ball into tight windows and he can sling it over the middle. I have noticed his release tends to drop as he “whips” the ball across the middle at times.

Grade: 3.5

Accuracy:

Wilson’s accuracy is erratic and that is largely due to his mechanics. He can make beautiful throws over the middle fitting the ball in the tightest of windows. I’ve seen him make some throws that have literally made me say “wow”. Yet, he will occasionally throw behind his receiver on a 3 yard crossing route. His accuracy across the range is inconsistent at best and it all stems from mechanical issues and rushing his throws.

Grade: 2.5

Mobility:

Not known for his scrambling abilities, Wilson is rather average in this regard. He can maneuver around in the pocket and buy some time but most defensive ends can chase him down. He shows he can pick up a few yards if a clear rushing lane is given but don’t expect many 10+ yard gains in his NFL career.

Grade: 2.5

Decision Making:

Tyler Wilson reminds me of Brandon Weeden in this regard. When he’s got a clean pocket to work with he looks poised as he scans the field and goes through his progressions and usually spots the open man. However, when pressured he can struggle to make snap decisions and he ends up forcing a lot of passes into coverage. Of course there are plenty of instances where he does have time but forces balls into coverage anyways. I do like that he can go through his progressions and that he can buy himself more time if need be. However, too many passes are forced with bad mechanics under pressure (think Matt Stafford) that are way too risky to be throwing.

Grade: 2.0

Mechanics:

I’ll give credit to Wilson that he does take a lot of snaps from under center, certainly more than your average college quarterback nowadays. His mechanics need a lot of work though. He’s usually unbalanced on his drop-backs and something just doesn’t look right. His 3, 5 and 7 step drops will need refinement for sure. While his ability to change his release point and make quick throws can be a positive and gets him out of trouble, a lot of the times he ends up throwing ducks or inaccurate passes that can be easily picked off because his upper body and lower body are completely out of sync. As mentioned earlier his release point tends to drop as he tries to put more zip on his passes which could lead to some batted passes.

Grade: 2.0

Pocket Awareness:

One of the biggest praises for Wilson is his ability to stand tall in the pocket and take a hit. Seriously, he was destroyed at times but he took the shot to complete a pass. He senses pressure pretty well and rarely gets sacked because he held onto the ball too long. I did notice at times he would ditch the pocket a little bit early but it was because he had been pressured all game.

Grade: 3.0

Intangibles:

Tyler Wilson is only a 2 year starter and I’m a firm believer that the more experience the better. As of now his inexperience shows in the form of his inconsistent mechanics and questionable decisions. However, he’s got a solid base to work with and should improve with coaching in the NFL. His play regressed as a senior but so did Arkansas together as a team. He is regarded for his great toughness and it shows on tape. Wilson is a grinder and will do anything to win. He has no major injury concerns although he did miss the big game against Alabama as a senior due to a concussion. With the hits he’s took in college it’s something that should be monitored. No known character issues.

Grade: 3.0

Outlook:

I want to like Tyler Wilson. He’s got all the tools to succeed and, unlike Geno Smith, I believe he has “it”. He’s just too raw right now I believe. His mechanics need a complete overhaul and he has to take better care of the football. I think ideally he should go to a team that doesn’t need him to start immediately but to be groomed as a successor. He can have success in the NFL but he’ll need some time. If a team drafts him in the 1st round and forces him to start from Day 1, with a poor supporting cast, I think he’ll struggle mightily.

What I like:

Wilson has great size and looks the part of an NFL quarterback. He has a strong arm and can make every throw look easy. He flashes great accuracy and can thread the needle when he has to. He’s also quite mobile in the pocket and is good at buying time with his legs in the pocket. He’s smart and consistently is able to scan the field and go through his progressions.

What I don’t like:

His accuracy can be inconsistent. Sometimes he trusts his arm too much and forces some throws into tight windows. He still needs some work in the pocket. His footwork will need to be sharpened and he has to throw with better balance consistently. Will hold onto the ball too long at times but his overall rhythm and timing should improve as he gets more starts under his belt.

Outlook:

Heading into the season Tyler Wilson is my #2 ranked quarterback. From a physical standpoint he has better tools than Barkley so he has the potential to surpass him this season. However, it will be interesting to see how he fares without his top 3 receiving targets and head coach. This can be a bit of a boom or bust season for him.