Wide Receiver – Stanford
6’2” 209 lbs
3rd Round (94th overall) – Arizona Cardinals
As a projected Day 3 pick, Michael Wilson ended up hearing his name called late on Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft. With the Arizona Cardinals having many questions going into the 2023 season, there could be a future for the rookie wide receiver.
Rumors before the NFL Draft were that star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins would be traded. While that never happened, there could be a time during the 2023 NFL season when it could happen.
As for Michael Wilson, it could be an uphill battle. Wilson is a fifth-year wide receiver out of Stanford. Although Wilson started well in his freshman and sophomore years, in his last three years he’s only appeared in 14 games. The injuries caught up to him including two season-ending games in 2020 and 2022.
In five seasons for the Cardinals, Wilson caught 134 balls for 1,662 yards and 11 touchdowns. Though his best season was his sophomore season where he played 12 games finishing with 56 receptions, for 672 yards and five touchdowns.
Despite all the injuries at Stanford, Wilson does portray traits that NFL teams love. First, he has the prototypical size, one that can play as an outside receiver. Second, his speed (4.58 40-yard dash), and finally his separation.
While these are great features, his footwork as a receiver is very good too. Not only is his footwork good while running routes, but he’s also a fantastic run blocker. But that route running, I say, as he is one of those receivers who can run very complex routes better than most. Furthermore, he’s going at full speed all the time. Zero to 100 in no time which explains his 1.5-second 10-yard split.
The downside of his game, and this is his biggest one, was injuries. Even though he is a shifty receiver, he struggled against press coverage. If health wasn’t a concern here, Wilson could have gone higher in the NFL Draft.
Fantasy Football Outlook
At this point, it’s clear the Arizona Cardinals won’t have to start quarterback Kyler Murray for some time during the 2023 NFL season. Currently slated as a backup to Hopkins, Wilson could have a hard time seeing the field as long as the star veteran wideout is still on the team. To begin with, he may start more as a special teams player and is worth leaving on the waiver wire in your 2023 fantasy football leagues.
Dynasty Outlook
From a dynasty fantasy football perspective, there is much more reason to be optimistic about Wilson. From what can be seen, Wilson is looking like the WR5/6 on his team. The Cardinals could make changes if Murray is to have any setbacks. Furthermore, we can’t just put the Hopkins trade talks to bed. If Hopkins gets traded at any time, Wilson could easily become the X receiver in late 2023 or as soon as the 2024 season starts.
According to our Faceoff 1QB and Superflex average draft position (ADP), he is on average going around pick 40. That being said, as a mid-4th-round pick in rookie drafts, he’s worth the dart throw, especially for a rebuilding team.
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