The Browns are really the best fit for Garrett Wilson

The former Ohio State playmaker Garrett Wilson is widely seen as a Top 5 WR in the 2022 NFL Draft. Wilson recently ran a blistering 4.38 40 yard dash time at the NFL combine and it’s clear he’s ready to be an impact player in year one for his new professional football club.

Here is a look at how magical Wilson was at Ohio State:

• 1,058 yards in 2021
• 12 touchdowns in 2021
• 18 touchdowns in past two seasons combined

Wilson was a potent WR against quality competition in college and he also performed well at the NFL combine. His floor and ceiling should excite NFL scouts and WR-needy NFL teams. The question is: which team will obtain the speed demon WR, that’s drawn comparisons to Chris Godwin. Well, here are a few logical destinations for the Big 10 stud.

• Cleveland Browns

“Chewie, We’re Home”

The Cleveland Browns pardoned the talented and somewhat dramatical Odell Beckham Jr. in 2021. It appears that Jarvis Landry will follow his LSU brother out the door this offseason. According to Bleacher Report, Landry is unlikely to restructure his contract.

The Browns will still have late bloomer David Njoku at TE, the elite RB Nick Chubb, and the motivated Baker Mayfield, who doesn’t appear to be a trade candidate. The Browns can certainly be more efficient with the skillset of Wilson, who could soon be a similar player that OBJ was early in his career. Per ESPN, Mayfield and Wilson have a strong relationship, as well. The NFL world witnessed Joe Burrow lobby for Ja’Marr Chase and then Chase was rightfully picked by Cincy. We could soon find Mayfield’s relationship with Wilson translate to Wilson being a future Brown. The Browns pick at 13 and it seems like a safe spot to pick the passionate Garrett Wilson.

• New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints might have lost Sean Payton, but the long-time Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael will have Michael Thomas and Jameis Winston returning healthy and highly motivated. The 32nd ranked passing offense could take a sizable boost with Wilson’s speed added to the offense.

If the NFL world thought Winston’s connection with Deonte Harris was scary, they will be shocked by the plays that the mega-arm QB can make with Wilson and his excellent matchups in the Saints offense.

The Saints were 5-2 with Jameis Winston and without Michael Thomas in 2021. If they insert Cantguardmike, Alvin Kamara (for most of 2021), Harris, and Wilson, they will have a fine opportunity to unleash a lethal offense that will surely pair with an elite defense led by Demario Davis, Marshon Lattimore, Marcus Davenport, and Cameron Jordan.

• New England Patriots

The New England Patriots always seek out a WR that can take the top off a defense. They sought out Brandin Cooks and then they leaned on Jakobi Meyers in 2021. Meyers, who is a 2022 free agent, could leave the Pats this offseason.

The Pats WR room doesn’t only potentially need a deep-threat WR, but they could use a WR with Pro Bowl ability. Kendrick Bourne was a pleasant signing, but the expensive Nelson Agholor has underperformed and he could also be out of town soon. Wilson can check both of those boxes for emperor Belichick. Mac Jones shocked the league in 2021, as he made the Pro Bowl and led his team to the playoffs. Jones could look to join the elite AFC QB conversation with Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and Joe Burrow if he can be a stat machine and lead his team back to being AFC East champions.

• Philadelphia Eagles

There are two things that are absolutely clear in Philly: DeVonta Smith will be a star in the league and Jalen Reagor has been disappointing so much that Justin Jefferson feels bad for him. The Eagles will look to bring in a new toy and jolt to the Jalen Hurts-led offense in 2022.

Zach Ertz might have been a TE, but his production was also missed in the Eagles passing attack after he left. The Bucs barely edged out the Eagles with Ertz in the regular season, but they really mopped the floor against the Eagles in the playoffs. The Eagles didn’t have an answer against Tom Brady in the 2022 playoffs and it’s clear they aren’t quite a heavyweight (or potent underdog) in the NFC. Smith, Hurts, and Wilson would be a scary trio for years to come.

• Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders really appear as a WR-needy team, but they could have a huge boost soon. Davante Adams, who was teammates with Derek Carr at Fresno State, was rumored to have purchased a house in Vegas.

The Raiders tried the Desean Jackson experiment in 2021, but he is 34 years old and he isn’t getting younger. Zay Jones is also a soon-to-be free agent. Josh McDaniels will seek one or two talented wideouts to join Carr, Darren Waller, and Josh Jacobs. If Tae does ink a contract with the Raiders, I believe LV could still target a WR, who is also a special talent, in the 2022 NFL Draft.

After all, the Raiders play four games against the Patrick Mahomes-led Kansas City Chiefs and Justin Herbert-led Los Angeles Chargers every season. If McDaniels is going to flame out again, he might really go down swinging.

Honorable mention

• Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts might kiss goodbye to T.Y. Hilton, who has been torching defenses in Indy since the early days of Andrew Luck. Carson Wentz will likely follow Hilton out the door, too. The Colts should still keep their heads high, as they have an All-Pro RB in Jonathan Taylor and the young, talented Michael Pittman at WR.

The Colts are certainly not going to rebuild and they won’t be expecting their new QB to put up unearthly stats. Nonetheless, the Colts will still look to retool their passing attack this offseason and they may want to make a splash pick with Wilson. The Colts would still have a real shot at making the playoffs with a QB like Marcus Mariota, JT, Pittman, and Wilson in their offense.

• Minnesota Vikings

There are always surprise selections in each NFL draft. It would be a fascinating and powerful move if the Minnesota Vikings added the electrifying Wilson to their WR room. Kirk Cousins is refusing to step down from his utterly wealthy contract, so they might decide to load up on firepower and make sure he can make them a playoff contender next season.

The Vikings could absolutely put up a lot of points with Justin Jefferson, Cousins, Dalvin Cook, and Thielen, but Wilson could also be a future replacement for Thielen. Jefferson and Wilson can be the potent duo in the grand scheme of things. Jefferson, Thielen, and Wilson could also make Cousins the most underrated MVP candidate next season.

If the Packers really lose Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams, the Vikings could add more weaponry and establish themselves by NFC North favorites by a wide margin this offseason. The Vikings new offensive-minded head coach Kevin O’Connell could fall in love with Wilson or a different WR in the draft and be in awe of the idea of playing with him in the already dangerous Vikings offense.