When the Pittsburgh Steelers called Roman Wilson’s name with the 84th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, a lot of scouts let out a collective "I told you so." It wasn't because he was a lock for the first round—he clearly wasn't—but because Wilson is one of those players who makes a "prospect profile" look like a bunch of math homework that forgot to account for heart.
He's fast. Like, legitimately fast. He clocked a 4.39 in the 40-yard dash at the Combine, but honestly, if you watched him at Michigan, he looked even quicker in pads. He’s the kind of guy who can turn a mundane crossing route into a 40-yard highlight reel because he simply doesn't understand the concept of slowing down.
Breaking Down the Roman Wilson Draft Profile
The core of any Roman Wilson draft profile starts with the physical numbers, even if they don't tell the whole story. He measured in at 5'10 3/4" and 185 pounds. Not huge. In fact, some scouts worried he’d get bullied by the massive press-coverage corners of the AFC North. But then you look at his hands. For a guy his size, he has 9 3/8" hands—meat hooks, basically.
During his final year at Michigan, he had exactly one drop. One. On 67 targets. That’s absurd.
You’ve gotta respect a guy who played in a run-heavy Jim Harbaugh offense and still managed to snag 12 touchdowns in a single season. He wasn't just a beneficiary of the system; he was the passing game for the national champions. Whether he was lined up in the slot or occasionally stretching the field on the outside, he was the reliable "chain mover" that J.J. McCarthy looked for whenever things got hairy.
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Why the NFL Loved His Speed
The speed isn't just about the 40 time. Wilson’s 10-yard split of 1.52 seconds shows that he gets to his top gear almost instantly. In the NFL, that’s the difference between a completion and a pass breakup.
Most people focus on the "flash," but the Roman Wilson draft profile is actually built on grit. At Michigan, he was a "no block, no rock" guy. That’s a real thing they said in the WR room. If you didn't block for the run, you didn't get the ball. Wilson took that to heart. He’s a compact, muscular 185 pounds, and he hits like a guy twenty pounds heavier. It’s that blue-collar attitude that made him a "Steelers type" player before he even put on the black and gold.
He basically lived between the hashes. In 2023, more than 70% of his catches were in the middle of the field. That’s a dangerous place to play, but Wilson has this weird spatial awareness where he knows exactly where the linebacker is going to be. He finds the "soft spot" in zone coverage like he has a GPS in his helmet.
The "Red Flags" Everyone Talked About
It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. If you read the scouting reports from 2024, there were some stinging criticisms. One anonymous scout even called him "overrated" and "slot only."
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- Size Constraints: Being under 5'11" is a hurdle. He can't always win the 50/50 jump balls against 6'2" corners.
- Route Tree: Some critics felt his route tree was limited at Michigan. They mostly saw him on crossers, overs, and deep posts.
- Yards After Catch: For a fast guy, his 5.2 yards after catch (YAC) average was surprisingly low. He was more of a "catch and get down" or "catch and score" player rather than a shifty elusiveness guy.
Honestly, though? Most of that feels like nitpicking when you realize he caught nearly 80% of his passes for either a first down or a touchdown. Efficiency is a stat that doesn't lie, even if the "shifty" highlights aren't there.
The Steelers Fit and Beyond
Transitioning to the pros is never easy, and Wilson’s rookie year in 2024 was a bit of a rollercoaster. He spent a massive chunk of the season on the Reserve/Injured list after an ankle injury in training camp set him back. He didn't even make his debut until Week 6 against the Raiders, and even then, he only saw a handful of snaps.
But looking into 2025 and 2026, the trajectory is clear. He’s the natural heir to that "Z" receiver or primary slot role. With guys like George Pickens drawing all the double teams, Wilson is the guy who's going to find himself wide open on a 3rd-and-7. He’s basically a younger, slightly faster version of Sterling Shepard or maybe a more physical Tyler Lockett.
What most people get wrong about him is thinking he's just a "gadget" player. He isn't. He's a technician who happens to have 4.3 speed. If you watch his Senior Bowl tape—which is where the Steelers really fell in love with him—he was destroying top-tier defensive backs in 1-on-1 drills. He has this "suddenness" at the top of his routes that leaves guys reaching for air.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're tracking his career or looking at him for a dynasty fantasy league, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Snap Counts: Wilson’s value is tied to his time in the slot. If he's playing 60%+ of the snaps, he's going to produce because his hands are too good to ignore.
- Touchdown Regression: Don't expect 12 touchdowns every year like he had at Michigan. That was a high-efficiency anomaly.
- Health is Wealth: His biggest hurdle is staying on the field. Because he plays so physically at a smaller size, the "wear and tear" is real.
Ultimately, the Roman Wilson draft profile described a player who was a "winning starter." He might not ever be a 1,500-yard All-Pro, but he’s the guy who catches the pass that wins the game in the fourth quarter. He's the glue. And in the NFL, those guys are worth their weight in gold.
Keep an eye on his targets in condensed formations. That's where Arthur Smith and the Steelers coaching staff love to use his speed to create mismatches. When he’s in motion, he’s a nightmare to track, and that’s where his real NFL value lies.