Eagles rookie WR Johnny Wilson's chance of making 53-man roster just got better

Parker, along with Parris Campbell, signed with the Eagles during the start of NFL free agency back in March. 

With Parker no longer on the roster, that gives Wilson one less receiver to compete with this summer for the Eagles' No. 3 wide receiver job. 

Wilson will still have to battle Campbell, Ainias Smith, and Britain Covey. But there's a chance Campbell, who had an underwhelming 2023 season, doesn't end up making the roster even if he is a veteran. 

Smith and Covey have an edge over Wilson since they're both excellent return men, though Wilson's size helps him out a lot. 

Wilson is the NFL's Tallest Wide Receiver 

At 6-foot-6 and 231 pounds, Wilson is currently the NFL's tallest wide receiver. 

And no, he's not going to play tight end. Eagles' head coach Nick Sirianni and general manager Howie Roseman have made that abundantly clear since drafting him. 

"I think he can run the full route tree," Roseman said when asked if the Eagles plan on moving him to tight end. "I think a lot of times you do that when guys don’t have the lower body flexibility to get in and out of their breaks. We don’t see that with Johnny."

Wilson is big like a tight end and would make a great blocking one. But what makes him stand out from the rest of the tight ends in this league is his elite speed and flexibility, which the Eagles would prefer not to waste by having him switch positions. 

"All his production is coming on the outside, running outside routes," Sirianni added. "Really looking forward to working with him there at the wide receiver position."

Wilson Doesn't View Himself as a Tight End

Just like the Eagles, Wilson doesn't view himself as a tight end, using his size to his advantage against smaller corners. 

“Being this size and being able to do some of the things I can do with my body and getting in and out of my breaks, and just having super long arms, it’s sometimes an advantage, especially to a lot of smaller corners and smaller defenders,” Wilson said during rookie minicamp. “I’ve just over the years tried to do a lot of training and using my body to my advantage.”

Wilson kicked off his college career at Arizona State before transferring to Florida State in 2022, playing two seasons in Tallahassee.

His best season came right after he transferred when he reeled in 43 receptions for 897 yards and five touchdowns for the Seminoles. He finished his college career hauling in a total of 102 catches for 1,757 yards receiving and eight touchdowns.

The Eagles drafted Wilson in the sixth round at 185th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.