Wide receiver Garrett Wilson was the first Ohio State Buckeye off the board during the 2022 NFL Draft in Las Vegas.
The New York Jets selected him 10th overall. He was the second WR taken with the Falcons drafting Drake London at No. 8. Known as a home-run threat at Ohio State, he averaged 15.1 yards per reception last season – 70 catches for 1,058 yards. Of his 12 touchdowns, six came on vertical routes, according to ESPN Stats & Information. The only knock is that he dropped six balls.
Wilson improved his draft stock with a torrid finish, recording six touchdowns and averaging 124 yards per game over his final three. He decided not to play in the Rose Bowl. He solidified his NFL standing with a strong scouting combine — 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
Within minutes of Wilson’s name being called, the New Orleans Saints traded up to snag OSU teammate Chris Olave at No. 11. The New Orleans Saints, fittingly, became the first team to trade up in this year’s NFL draft by moving up from No. 16 to No. 11 to select Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave on Thursday.
“For us, it’s an opportunity to get another good player a year ahead of time,” Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said of the trade during his predraft news conference.
Receiver was a glaring need for the Saints after they finished 32nd in the NFL in passing offense last year. Much of that was because receiver Michael Thomas missed the entire season with an ankle injury and quarterback Jameis Winston tore his ACL in Week 8. Still, they needed to add at least one more premium pass-catcher — and got aggressive in doing so.