Russell Wilson's Player Profile

Russell Wilson has the intangible qualities that make a really good QB. He has leadership, confidence and intelligence and he wins games. For being a QB that excels at improvising he plays with great efficiency. What might be most impressive for Wilson is that so far he is a heisman front runner due to an insane 200+ QB rating for the undefeated badgers. What makes it even more impressive is that he is a transfer player who is adapting to a new system. Due to his breakout season he is starting to get noticed by NFL pundits. It helps that Wisconsin is using him primarily under center and he is showing that he can drop back and pick a defense apart and get the ball in the right person’s hands. A great athlete who has doubled as a pro baseball prospect makes you believe that Wilson has a good ceiling of growth when he concentrates on one sport but also that he has the athleticism to make plays inside and outside the pocket. What I really like about him is that he keeps his eyes down field and is accurate on the move, he knows when to throw it and when to tuck it and can make a big play with his legs. His completion % has jumped from the high 50% the last 3 years to over 70% this year probably due to a dominant o line and run game that favors him but you have to give him credit for executing. He doesn’t make a lot of bad decisions and has always had a good QB/INT ratio. Also, great on 3rd downs or in the red zone where he becomes a dual threat with 9 rushing tds his jr year at nc state. He has very good footwork, gets a good deep drop, and good throwing mechanics. A natural play action and bootleg guy and really good arm talent in the intermediate level and red zone.

Weaknesses are that outside of Doug Flutie you don’t see qbs under 6ft and Russell is a sturdy 5ft 11. He doesn’t look that short and he has a good over the top delivery but his height will definitely be a knock. Also, he hasn’t really showed the arm vertically down field so I don’t think he will take the top off a defense or work well with a wr who excels in the deep passing game. Also, he has only really been a NFL prospect being at Wisconsin where he has benefited from top notch talent around him. Even though he has good mechanics his release is a little deliberate.

I think if you have a balanced offense attack Russell Wilson can work, especially if you have a good defense and rely on ball control. Russell does not turn the ball over and he is very methodical in moving his offense down the field. When it is a crucial 3rd down or red zone play Wilson will do what ever it takes. He is under sized by NFL standards and will not win any arm strength contests but he has great leadership, he is a winner, he is athletic and efficient. I think Colt McCoy is a good comparison.
Profile submitted by: Tom Patterson

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