Dontayvion Wicks, WR Virginia: Offseason 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Wicks was a three-star recruit from Plaquemine High School in Plaquemine, La. in the class of 2019

Virginia had one of the nation’s top offenses in 2021 thanks to a dominant passing attack that featured wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks. Wicks finished fourth in the ACC in receiving yards last year, and he should contend for the top spot in 2022.

Aside from skyrocketing up the wide receiver ranks in the ACC, Wicks is quickly ascending as a 2023 NFL Draft prospect.

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Dontayvion Wicks, WR Virginia: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Medical redshirt junior outside receiver from Plaquemine, La.

Background: Wicks was a three-star recruit from Plaquemine High School in Plaquemine, La. in the class of 2019. He was the No. 679 recruit according to 247Sports and No. 788 for On3.com. Wicks was an unranked three-star recruit for Rivals and an unranked three-star recruit for ESPN with a 78 grade out of 100. As a high school junior, he helped Plaquemine win the district championship. He also played basketball in high school.

2021 Production: 12 games, 57 receptions, 1,203 yards, 9 touchdowns

2020 Production: Medical Redshirt Year

2019 Production: 10 games, 3 receptions, 61 yards, 1 touchdown

Injuries & Off-Field: Suffered a season-ending foot injury before the season in 2020

Awards: 2021 First-Team All-ACC

Pros: Some experience operating in the slot, special teams experience from 2019, few manufactured touches, averaging over 21 yards per reception and an ADOT over 18 yards in college, willing blocker who buys his teammates time and space, ball tracking, quick footwork and loose lower body allows for clean releases against press, sells defenders on double moves, speed to threaten defenses vertically, excellent adjustments to the football, loose athlete, works back to the quarterback on extended drop backs, short-area agility, creates separation with his route running, route running is nuanced and “teach tape”, some upside on trick plays as a passer, statistically dominant between the hashes, average in contested catch situations (50-50), smooth speed, quick acceleration and deceleration

Cons: Drops emerged in 2021, two fumbles last season, forced missed tackles are few and far between, blocking technique is all over the place, drops his head into blocks sometimes, speed off the line is inconsistent, not very elusive despite a loose lower body, limited YAC potential, doesn’t survive contact as a runner, don’t think I would call him a true burner, agility to stop and juke but rarely makes defenders miss

Overview: Wicks is unofficially listed at 6'1", 206 lbs. Virginia’s scheme contributed to the program’s offensive explosion in 2021, but Wicks should maintain his production transitioning to the pass-happy pros. Wicks has all of the dynamic traits of a second option in an NFL offense that likes to attack downfield. Despite not possessing much play strength, Wicks is a willing and active blocker who often succeeds in keeping lanes open long enough for his teammates to get through. He’s a loose athlete with an agile lower half that helps with releases, route running, and juking in the open field. Wicks struggles to make defenders miss despite having traits on par with more successful YAC receivers. Even if he statistically takes a step back in 2022, NFL teams have seen what he’s capable of when trusted as an offensive engine.

Overall, Wicks is an incredibly fluid athlete who unlocks long intermediate and deep throws with a combination of twitchy releases, elite route running, and downfield burst. Assuming the medical reports on his foot check out, he should go in the top 100 picks of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Role & Scheme Fit: X receiver in a spread 11 personnel scheme with frequent 10 personnel (four wide receiver) sets

Round Projection: Mid Second to Early Third

Player Comparison: N/A

Submitted: 07-07-22