Johnson’s physical traits and natural footwork in phasing routes in space is very appealing, but certain athletic limitations could cause evaluators to pump the brakes when grading him. He can block a release from press or squeeze route breaks from his pedal or a side shuffle but will struggle to keep pace with deep targets from man. Sticky hips make flat-footed transitions and open-field tackling challenging tasks for him, so teams will need to have a plan for optimizing his strengths while minimizing his limitations.
Wicks proved in 2021 that he has a set of skills to threaten defenses with big-play potential, but he’s coming off a disappointing 2022 season. Focus drops have been an issue for him over the last two seasons, but they seemed to impact his overall confidence in 2022. He lacks attention to detail as a route runner but it is worth noting that he finds ways to separate with instincts and pure athleticism. Wicks has talent to cultivate, but gaining the confidence of a GM, head coach or quarterback must start with catching the football more consistently.
