Introduction
When it comes to the 2021 NFL Draft, there are two wide receivers that stand out: Brandon Aiyuk and Garrett Wilson. Both players have impressive stats and skills that make them attractive options for any team in need of a top-tier wide receiver. But which one is the better pick? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Brandon Aiyuk and Garrett Wilson to see who has the edge.
Brandon Aiyuk
Brandon Aiyuk was a standout wide receiver at Arizona State University before being drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2020. In his final season at ASU, Aiyuk had 1,192 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, earning him first-team All-Pac-12 honors. His impressive stats caught the attention of NFL scouts, and he was drafted in the first round.
Aiyuk’s athleticism is one of his biggest strengths. He has excellent speed and agility, making him a dangerous deep threat. He also has good hands and is able to make difficult catches in traffic. Aiyuk’s ability to turn short passes into big gains is another asset that teams will find attractive.
One area where Aiyuk could use improvement is route running. While he has shown improvement in this area, he still has room to grow. He also dealt with injuries during his rookie season, which limited his production on the field.
Garrett Wilson
Garrett Wilson played college football at Ohio State University and is considered one of the top wide receiver prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft. In his sophomore season, Wilson had 723 receiving yards and six touchdowns, despite missing two games due to injury. He was named second-team All-Big Ten for his performance.
Wilson’s ability to catch the ball in traffic is one of his biggest strengths. He has great hands and is able to make difficult catches look easy. He also has good speed and agility, making him a dangerous deep threat. His route running is also a strength, as he is able to create separation from defenders.
One area where Wilson could use improvement is his ability to break tackles. While he is a physical player, he has room to improve in this area. He also had some drops during the 2021 season, which is an area he will need to work on.
Who Has the Edge?
So, who has the edge between Brandon Aiyuk and Garrett Wilson? It’s a tough call, as both players have impressive skills and stats. However, based on their performances in college, it seems that Garrett Wilson has the slight edge.
Wilson’s ability to catch the ball in traffic and create separation from defenders is impressive, and his route running is a strength that sets him apart from other prospects. While Aiyuk has great athleticism and the ability to turn short passes into big gains, he has room to improve in areas like route running and staying healthy.
Of course, there are other factors to consider when making a draft pick, such as a team’s needs and the opinions of scouts and coaches. But based on their performances on the field, it seems that Garrett Wilson is the slightly better prospect.
Conclusion
When it comes to the 2022 NFL Draft, both Brandon Aiyuk and Garrett Wilson are top-tier wide receiver prospects. While Aiyuk has impressive athleticism and the ability to turn short passes into big gains, Wilson’s route running and ability to catch in traffic set him apart. Ultimately, the decision of who to pick will depend on a team’s needs and the opinions of scouts and coaches.