Patriots draft Georgia center Jared Wilson
Patriots draft Georgia center Jared Wilson
Georgia's third offensive lineman heard his name called on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL draft when with the 95th pick, the New England Patriots selected Georgia center Jared Wilson.
Wilson is an extremely athletic center. When he was signed by the Georgia Bulldogs as a three-star prospect and he didn't earn the starting role until 2024. He backed up Sedrick Van Pran-Granger during the Bulldogs' run to the 2022 national championship.
After Van Pran-Granger was drafted in the 2024 NFL draft, Wilson became the starter. He played 13 of the 14 games in 2023, and in 2024 he earned a Coaches' Second-Team All-SEC selection in his only season as the starter. He also earned a 79.4 offensive blocking grade, including an 84.9 pass-blocking grade. He had the third-best PFF grade out of all Georgia offensive players.
Many people were surprised when Wilson declared for the 2025 NFL draft, especially when he didn't go to the Senior Bowl. However, the combine sold many people on his draft prospects. He earned the fastest time for any center in the combine on both his first (4.90) and second (4.84) run in the 40-yard dash. His freakish athleticism earned him the distinction of the best center in the draft.
The Patriots desperately needed offensive line help to protect Drake Maye. They picked LSU tackle Will Campbell with the fourth overall pick, and now with Wilson, they fortify the interior offensive line.
Wilson is the sixth Georgia Bulldog selected in the NFL draft. He joins Mykel Wiliams, Jalon Walker, Malaki Starks, Tate Ratledge, and Dylan Fairchild in being drafted on the first two days.
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