PROSPECT SUMMARY - MARVIN WILSON

Marvin Wilson was a highly-touted high school recruit and had exciting flashes of next-level potential throughout his time at Florida State. He aligned primarily on the interior for the Seminoles but played some 5-technique in 2020. His best fit at the next level comes for an even front defense that features him on passing downs where he illustrates good hand usage, quickness, and urgency when rushing the quarterback. Wilson is a capable run defender but has some issues with anchoring and contact balance due to a top-heavy frame and narrow lower body. It’s apparent that Wilson has natural athleticism and power, but his body composition and playing with inconsistent leverage rob him of those qualities. He would be well-served to clean up his frame to allow his natural gifts to shine with more consistency. It’s clear that Wilson can take another step forward and develop into a balanced defender that is a featured part of an NFL defensive line rotation if everything comes together.

Ideal Role: Rotational defensive tackle.

Scheme Fit: 4-3, attack-style defense.

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Joe Marino

Games watched: Boise State (2019), Virginia (2019), Syracuse (2019), Miami (2020), Georgia Tech (2020), Louisville (2020)

Best Game Studied: Virginia (2019)

Worst Game Studied: Louisville (2020)

First-Step Explosiveness: Wilson moves well but he shouldn’t be labeled as explosive. His release out of his stance can be gradual, but there is an easy way about the moves once he actually gets going. He operates from a narrow base so widening his stance and being more deliberate in maintaining that width would make him more effective.

Flexibility: Wilson’s frame is top heavy and narrow below the waist, which doesn’t set him up well to demonstrate a loose and fluid athletic profile. There is some suddenness to his game and he’s capable of flowing laterally, but he has some tightness throughout his frame that he battles through. A body transformation would serve him well.

Hand Counters: Wilson’s hands are always busy and he has an impressive club/swim combo. He flashes plenty of effective hand swipes and loves to use a nasty push/pull move that he should get to more frequently. Wilson has some issues disengaging from blocks but when he takes control with his hands, his playmaking ability shines.

Hand Power: Wilson features heavy and violent hands and he delivers some devastating blows. His punch is capable of stunning blockers and enables him to take control of reps. When he’s deliberate about punch timing and playing with extension, he can be a force.

Run Defending: Wilson needs to be more consistent playing with low pads and he can be guilty of playing too high and peeking over the top of blocks, causing him to lose leverage and concede ground. While he competes to control his gap(s), Wilson’s top-heavy frame and narrow base create some issues with his contact balance and ability to consistently anchor. His best moments as a run defender come when he can close from the backside, taking advantage of his quickness and pursuit effort.

Effort: Wilson plays the game with a consistent motor and he frequently chases plays down from distance. His modest length and contact balance often force him to work overtime to clear contact but he battles. Even when Wilson is double-teamed, playing out of position as a 5-technique as part of a three-man rush, he competes.

Football IQ: Wilson can be tardy to identify blocking schemes and respond. He does execute stunts with good timing. He showcases a sound understanding of his run fits and is willing to be unselfish by taking on blocks and enabling the second level to fill.

Lateral Mobility: Wilson has good mobility in backside pursuit, working down the line of scrimmage and towards the sideline. He does well to string out runs and close. He does have modest contact balance so it’s critical he plays behind his hands so that he doesn’t get bumped off his course.

Core/Functional Strength: Wilson has average power at the point of attack and needs to get stronger and add functional strength to reach his ceiling in the NFL. Wilson is top heavy and lacks bulk in his lower body which presents notable challenges with contact balance. He would be well-served to clean up his frame to best take advantage of his natural strength and athleticism.

Versatility: Wilson played all across the defensive front at Florida State in both odd and even fronts. He’s a better pass rusher than he is run defender but he has appeal in both phases. He doesn’t appear to have the length or consistent extension skills to regularly defend multiple gaps in the NFL like he was often asked to do in college.

Prospect Comparison: Vincent Taylor (2017 NFL Draft, Miami Dolphins)