Dontayvion Wicks - WR - UVA
Welcome to the rookie profile for Dontayvion Wicks. With a prototypical build, impressive wingspan, quick-twitch athleticism, and fluid body control, Wicks exemplifies the three-level threat archetype at a level that surpasses most of his peers at the position.
Measurables
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight: 206 lbs
Age:
40-yard dash: 4.62s
3-cone drill: DNP
20-yard shuttle: DNP
Vertical Jump: 39″
Broad Jump: 10-10
Bench Press: DNP
College Stats
| Receiving | Rushing | Scrimmage | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD |
| *2019 | Virginia | ACC | FR | WR | 3 | 3 | 61 | 20.3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 61 | 20.3 | 1 | |
| 2020 | Virginia | ACC | SO | WR | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 2021 | Virginia | ACC | SO | WR | 12 | 57 | 1203 | 21.1 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 57 | 1203 | 21.1 | 9 | |
| 2022 | Virginia | ACC | SR | WR | 8 | 30 | 430 | 14.3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 430 | 14.3 | 2 | |
| Career | Virginia | 90 | 1694 | 18.8 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 90 | 1694 | 18.8 | 12 | |||||
Notable Headlines
Dontayvion Wicks is a talented wide receiver out of Virginia who has already impressed NFL scouts with his performance leading up to the Reese’s Senior Bowl. He was recognized as the American team’s Wide Receiver Practice Player-of-Week by the defensive backs who had the tough task of guarding him during practices. Wicks is a versatile player who played both quarterback and wide receiver in high school and even played basketball. Despite missing the 2020 season due to a foot injury, he bounced back in 2021 and broke the Virginia record for receiving yards in a season.
Scouting Report
Positives
Wicks is an intriguing prospect with a unique frame that stands out at over 6’2″ and 208 pounds, featuring excellent height and a dense structure. What’s most impressive is his elite length, with his 33.5″ arms providing a commanding catch radius and an overwhelming wingspan. While somewhat lean for his height, his frame is compact and strong.
Wicks’ athleticism is equally alluring, with effortless acceleration off the line and long-strider explosiveness to gain separation downfield and overtake deep coverage. His agility and twitch are even more exciting, featuring loose hips, agile lateral movement, great burst, and freedom on his cuts. With his loose hips and twitch, he can pinch tight angles while sustaining acceleration through transitions, and he has high-end twitch to cut stems and snap around on routes.
Wicks also boasts impressive skills when the ball is in the air. He can make sudden adjustments back toward the ball, displaying extraordinary body control and completing high-difficulty contortions to corral imprecise throws. Wicks can track the ball in stride while running up tight seams and maintain control amidst contact over the middle of the field. He is also a valuable asset as a run blocker, using his wide reach to square up and envelop defenders, block to the whistle, and seek work upfield when teammates get RAC opportunities.
Negatives
Wicks is a well-rounded wide receiver, but he doesn’t have any traits that are exceptional. He has good explosiveness, but his initial explosiveness out of his stance could be better, and he sometimes needs a running start to reach his top speed. Additionally, he could be more consistent in channeling his burst effectively out of breaks to reach his full explosive potential.
While Wicks has enough speed to be a dynamic weapon, he lacks elite breakaway speed and struggles to consistently separate from defensive backs. His hand/eye coordination is good, but he sometimes lets the ball roll into his torso when tracking it and resort to body-catching in tight situations instead of properly securing the ball with his hands. He also needs to be more efficient in his releases to eat up cushions and gain separation, and improve his route-running to expand his route tree.
Wicks also struggles to shrug off direct contact from defenders and needs to improve his blocking technique to avoid drifting out of position.
Pre Draft Analysis
Expected Draft Capital- Round 2/3
Landing Spots
The 2023 NFL Draft class for wide receivers is widely considered to be a wide-open field, with a dozen or more players in contention for Day 2 capital. Wicks has a solid case as an early-to-mid Day 2 prospect and could even see late Round 1 consideration at his maximum potential, pending his athletic testing.
While his testing will be an essential factor in his draft stock, Wicks already exhibits exceptional explosiveness, agility, and twitch on tape, making him a promising candidate as a route runner. Furthermore, his willingness to block is a highly favorable trait in offenses such as the Titans and Packers and adds to his overall appeal as a receiver.
Wicks’ athleticism translates well in both the before-the-catch and after-the-catch phases, and he has the physicality and natural ability to contend in contested situations and slip through tackle attempts after the catch. He also has the potential to be an impact starter, capable of playing in the slot or against press coverage on the boundary. Overall, Wicks is a well-rounded prospect with the potential to make a significant impact for a team in need of playmakers without sacrificing high-value draft capital.
Post Draft Analysis
Green Bay Packers - Round 5, Pick 24
Landing Spot
Dontayvion Wicks brings an exciting mix of size, athleticism, and recent production to the Green Bay Packers as a big-play receiver. Though his 2022 season was marred by a shift in offensive strategy, a few more drops, and an injury, Wicks demonstrated his dominance in the 2021 season, amassing 1,203 yards, a 21.1 yards-per-catch average, and 9 touchdowns. Wicks’ skill set complements that of fellow receiver Romeo Doubs, as both possess impressive size and deep-threat capabilities. As a developmental X receiver, Wicks will bolster the Packers’ offensive arsenal, providing the quarterback with more weapons to target downfield. Green Bay has done an outstanding job in this draft, rebuilding and fortifying the talent surrounding the quarterback position. Wicks’ addition further reinforces the team’s commitment to enhancing their passing game and providing valuable options for aerial attacks, ultimately strengthening the Packers’ offensive strategy.
Fantasy Impact
Dontayvion Wicks’ fantasy outlook appears more promising than many fifth-round receivers, given the significant turnover in the Packers’ wide receiver room this offseason. As a result, Wicks is well-positioned to capitalize on the available targets and establish himself as a valuable option for the quarterback. While he will compete with Christian Watson for deep play opportunities, there should be ample chances for both receivers to contribute to the team’s aerial attack. The Packers are unlikely to shy away from allowing their quarterback, Jordan Love, to throw the ball when necessary. This confidence in Love’s abilities will benefit Wicks, who is poised to receive a substantial number of looks throughout the season. Consequently, fantasy managers should consider Wicks as a high-upside sleeper in their drafts, with the potential to become a significant contributor to their teams due to the opportunities created by the Packers’ wide receiver exodus.
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Author: Rod Aryan, Twitter
Image Credit: Jamie Rhodes – USA TODAY Sports
