NFL Draft Prospect Profile: JJ Wilcox, Safety, Georgia Southern

ALLGBP.com All Green Bay Packers All the Time
Georgia Southern Safety JJ Wilcox
Georgia Southern Safety JJ Wilcox

Green Bay Packers NFL Draft prospect profile: Safety JJ WIlcox

Player Information:

JJ Wilcox, Safety, Giorgia Southern, 6’0″, 213 pounds Hometown: Cairo, Georgia

STATS

NFL Combine:

40 time: 4.57

225-pound bench: 17 reps

Vertical: 35″

Broad jump: 1o’ 4″

3-cone: 7.02

20yd shuttle: 4.09

News and Notes:

Wilcox has only one year of experience playing the safety position, having moved there after three years of playing on offense as a wide receiver and slotback. Despite his inexperience and small-school status, Wilcox was honored with an invitation to the Senior Bowl. Wilcox was second on the team with 88 tackles, three passes broken up and two interceptions.

 What they’re saying about him: 

  • CBSSports.com: “Athletic frame with a thick lower half. Stands out at this level due to his athleticism and proved he deserved to be on the same field with the top prospects in Mobile. Good lateral agility. Surprisingly adept as an open field tackler. Attacks the line of scrimmage when he reads run but while fast to the action, breaks down pretty well, showing enough balance, patience and strength for the effective stop… Showed some instincts and range operating as a single-high safety during Senior Bowl drills…” “Tends to bend at the waist rather than the knees. Attacks the line of scrimmage as a run defender, slipping by most blocks but too often is tied up when he they do get to him. Tools worthy of developing but isn’t ready for prime time yet.”
  • Ourlads.com: “A tough and physical strong safety who will contribute on special teams’ coverage and returns. Also played on the goal-line offense. Wrap tackler. Plays with confidence. Good ball reactions and hands for a safety who was a former receiver. Returns kickoffs, averaging 25.5 yards per return. Was invited to the Senior Bowl on strong showing his senior year. Just learning to play the position.”

 

 

Video Analysis:

  • Closes  well on the ball carrier.  Solid open-field tackler.
  • Angles taken not always the best, but recovers well.
  • Not afraid to mix it up, drives through the tackle.
  • Shows above average range.
  • Not ready for man coverage on a receiver.
  • Returned kickoffs, but does not look like anything special in that department.
  • Getting by mostly on athletic ability.
  • Inexperience shows everywhere, but has definite upside.
  • More of a project than I expected, based on recent buzz.  Packers have shown definite interest.

If drafted by the Packers:

Wilcox would be brought in to compete with M.D. Jennings and Sean Richardson for the final safety spot on the Packers. Due to his inexperience, I would envision him ending up on the practice squad in year one, allowing him the time to work on and refine his techniques. Special teams would be his only ticket to a possible roster spot in year one, but I’d still call it a long shot. Having said all that, he has enough athletic ability to make an intriguing project, given more time to learn the position.

——————

Follow Jersey Al:


                    Add to Circleson Google+

Jersey Al Bracco is the founder and editor of AllGreenBayPackers.com, and the co-founder of Packers Talk Radio Network. He can be heard as one of the Co-Hosts on Cheesehead Radio and is the Green Bay Packers Draft Analyst for Drafttek.com.

——————

4 thoughts on “NFL Draft Prospect Profile: JJ Wilcox, Safety, Georgia Southern

  1. A lot of “experts” have him rated as a 3rd-4th round prospect. If you’re saying he’s a practice squad candidate, are you thinking he’s more of a late round guy? Don’t see many mid round picks on practice squads.

    1. No, I think he will go around there, but I think he’ll be over-drafted based on future potential. Just don’t see him as a year one contributor on defense…

      1. Agree 100% on his potential and being over drafted.

        Any News on Richardson and how he is doing? I had high hopes for him last year until he was hurt.

        Good job on write up. Too bad you didn’t know someone on the site to NOT Be placed in between the “trade down scenarios” and “signing of the CM3”! hee! hee!

      2. That’s what i think too. I’m no expert, but by simply watching highlight videos i don’t see anything jumping out at me. Just looks like another guy. Nothing flashy.

Comments are closed.