Tall Order

PHILADELPHIA — More than a few eyebrows raised when Jalen Hurts mentioned him by name during his availability last Thursday, alluding to a pair of what the quarterback described as “big-time” catches during a recent 1-on-1 period.

Hurts said he told the player, sixth-round rookie wide receiver Johnny Wilson: “It’s no surprise when you prepare for those situations,” before commending Wilson for putting in the time during the offseason to hone his craft.

Matching his words with action, Hurts even attempted a fade ball to Wilson hours later during open practice, though the duo couldn’t connect.

Wilson, a Florida State product, was one of a handful of Eagles skill players who took part in Hurts’ offseason throwing sessions, logging not only valuable face time and repetitions but establishing an early quarterback-receiver chemistry that Wilson attributed to his recent rise.

“I feel like trust and connection with your quarterback, and even the other receivers, is just big on being able to make plays and being able to trust each other and know where everyone is gonna be, at the right spot, at the right timing,” Wilson said. “And I feel like that played a big part of everybody’s connection this camp.”

ITB PHOTO/ANDREW DICECCO: Towering rookie WR Johnny Wilson is getting plenty of looks in the slot.

Standing nearly 6-foot-7 and sporting the build of a “move” tight end, much of the initial interest surrounding Wilson pertained to his unique dimensions, and how they would transfer to the next level as a wideout.

Wilson, to promote fluidity, has been working on his bend since his days at Calabasas [Calif.] High School, where he admitted to arriving lanky, long and stiff. He specifically fixated on dropping weight and getting in and out of breaks.

His remedy has also included warming up his knees, ankles and hips, looking for the kind of looseness you’d get from a WD40 spray.

The work he’s put in has been apparent this summer, as Wilson has received steady reps with the first-team offense, the lone rookie playing himself in the mix for the third receiver role among a field of veterans.

Wilson has showcased his versatility, repping at both inside and outside receiver, as he’s done since high school. And while it would appear Wilson’s size is tailor-made for the outside, his primary focus is doing whatever possible to help the team.

And if he does align inside, he believes his frame gives him a distinct advantage.

“A lot of nickel corners and nickel safeties, they’re used to playing a lot smaller guys,” he explained. “A lot shiftier, quick guys. But I feel like I could offer a little bit of both – size, speed and quickness. And I definitely think it would be a problem inside. But I just try to take advantage of every opportunity I get.”

That veteran receiver Parris Campbell was sidelined Sunday with a groin injury underscored just how wide open the competition is for the role behind starters A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.

Wilson, for his part, has known exactly where he’s supposed to be, executed his assignments and fielded the ball with more consistency.

When asked where he’s improved most throughout camp, Wilson pointed to his ability to play faster, a byproduct of mastering the playbook and becoming for comfortable with the routes.

Rather than overthinking, which Wilson said was previously the case with him, he’s playing free and fast, allowing his natural abilities to manifest.

Though he’s in the early stages of one of the Eagles’ most marquee position battles, Wilson has gotten off to a fast start.

Over an eight-week period, Wilson has largely transformed from the lanky, long and stiff project into an NFL receiver potentially positioned for a healthy role in a high-octane Eagles offense.

“I definitely feel like now I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable with the offense,” he said. “And just the timing and pace of things. Definitely in the beginning it was kind of like, ‘Holy crap,’ you know? Everything’s just moving so fast.

“But having like Jalen, A.J. [Brown], DeVonta [Smith], Parris — other dudes in the [receiver] room, you know, ‘You got this. You could do this,’ always helping, has made the transition a lot easier.”

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.