The Bengals love drafting players from the University of Georgia and they may look to add one of Amarius Mims’ former Bulldog teammates this year. But can Jared Wilson be anything but a center at the NFL level?
It’s shaping up to be a trench-heavy draft class for the Cincinnati Bengals—which is just fine, given the physical nature of the AFC North. While the defense needs a lot of work, Cincinnati will undoubtedly look to bolster parts of their offensive line this weekend.
It’s no secret that the Bengals love incoming rookies who played for the Georgia Bulldogs. David Pollack, Odell Thurman, Geno Atkins, A.J. Green, and Amarius Mims are just some of the high picks the club has made with that pedigree—and they may look to the SEC powerhouse again in this year’s draft.
Jared Wilson is a decorated center with a number of high-end athletic traits. The question with Wilson isn’t whether he can be a capable center at the next level, but whether he can also be an effective guard if needed.
Jared Wilson
- Height: 6’3”
- Weight: 310
- Age: 21
- Year: Redshirt Junior
- Hometown: Winston-Salem, NC
- RAS:
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Background
Wilson exited high school as a three-star prospect and the No. 20 offensive guard in the nation. He committed to Georgia and was part of the team’s immense success during his first two seasons with the Bulldogs—both National Championship campaigns.
His collegiate career reached the next level when he began starting for Georgia in 2023, culminating in a Second-Team All-SEC selection this past season.
Wilson impressed many during the pre-draft process, particularly with his RAS metrics. He should hear his name called by the end of Night Two of the draft, if not sooner.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Athleticism, quickness, pass protection, and the ability to recover from “losses” are all big pluses with Wilson. They stand out in his athletic profile, and the tape shows a player with quick feet and solid football acumen.
While all of those traits are coveted at the next level, there are questions about his ability to consistently hold up against NFL defensive linemen. Oddly enough, given the title of this subsection, “strength” is a major concern for Wilson.
Some question his ability to gain leverage in the run game at the NFL level, and there are criticisms about his initial “punch” at first contact. His below-average bench press reps in pre-draft workouts didn’t do much to quiet those concerns.
Potential versatility is a lesser concern, but the strength issue also impacts his projected ability to play guard in the NFL. Regardless, Wilson’s experience in the SEC and the daily grind of the notoriously tough Bulldogs practices make him an appealing prospect.
Outlook
When it comes to the Bengals, they often favor players with positional versatility—or those who may lack certain physical traits at a specific spot that worked in college but won’t translate to the same role in the pros. This approach has produced mixed results for Cincinnati at best, but maximizing the roster is key to building a championship-caliber NFL team.
Some believe Wilson is a “center-only” player, which may not endear him to the Bengals’ staff, even with the Georgia connection. New offensive line coach Scott Peters would likely need to be convinced that Wilson can initially play guard before eventually becoming the heir apparent to Ted Karras at center (unless Matt Lee is part of the long-term plan).
The one point that often gets brought up with Tate Ratledge and a potential Bengals connection is the same that could be said for Wilson. If Mims is a future franchise tackle—and he looks every bit the part entering Year Two—the familiarity he would have with a former teammate is worth noting.
Cincinnati needs help on the interior offensive line. Karras is steady but nearing the end of his career, so Wilson could make sense on Night Two if other needs are met. And with the Bengals’ offense being more pass-oriented, an interior pass-protector like Wilson should pique the team’s interest.
