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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Cory Bonini

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Michael Wiley, Arizona

Arizona Wildcats running back Michael Wiley heads to the pro ranks after five seasons at the FBS level, thanks to a deferred year of eligibility following the pandemic.

Universities weren’t exactly beating down his door coming out of high school as a three-star recruit, and he profiles as a similarly modest NFL prospect. Wiley has demonstrated a nose for the end zone, boasts soft hands in the aerial game, and a wealth of game experience to step in as a Day 1 complementary piece.

Height: 5-foot-10 1/2
Weight: 210 pounds
40 time: 4.51 seconds

The 2022 All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention probably won’t come off the draft board until Day 3, and he’s reminiscient of a slightly less athletic Kenyan Drake. Such a career path should be considered a win when all is said and done.

Table: RB Michael Wiley, Arizona (2019-23)

Year School Class Gm Att Yds Avg TD Rec Yds TD
2019 Ariz Fr 12 31 106 3.4 0 18 165 0
2020 Ariz So/C19 5 31 222 7.2 3 8 33 0
2021 Ariz So 11 91 302 3.3 2 33 297 4
2022 Ariz Jr 11 113 771 6.8 8 36 349 3
*2023 Ariz Sr 10 70 311 4.4 3 28 306 5
Total 49 336 1,712 5.1 16 123 1,150 12

*includes postseason/bowl games (stats from Sports Reference)
C19: player gained extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19 pandemic

Pros

  • Quicker than fast, ranking in the top 79% of RB 10-yard splits but the bottom 49% in 40-yard times at the combine
  • Slashing style in the open field pays off well in the screen game
  • Hands — above-average receiver who can contribute on three downs or as a standalone third-down back
  • Lines up anywhere on the field and is well-versed with screens, swings and wheel routes
  • Patient when allowing blocks to develop in the open field
  • Effort blocker who displays enough in the way of fundamentals to further develop this area of his game
  • Efficient production as a limited contributor — proficient scorer in relation to his opportunities
  • Ample tread left on the tires after a small workload

Cons

  • Upright runner whose contact balance suffers for it — doesn’t power through as many breakable tackles as expected
  • Lacks a second gear and top-end speed to run away from defenders
  • Low upside and older than most rookies at a position with a short shelf life
  • Eyes sometimes betray his athletic profile

Fantasy football outlook

There’s little doubt Wiley will find a home in the NFL that gives him a chance to contribute just enough in fantasy to deserve attention, though most likely in the short term.

The best-case scenario is he lands in a fortuitous spot to be the 1b in a tandem approach in which he’s the receiving option who gets an occasional crack from inside the 5-yard line. All of that could occur as soon as 2024, but his long-range outlook is weak for those in dynasty formats … thanks to being a fifth-year senior at a position known for chewing up and spitting out players after just a handful of seasons.

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