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)
*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.
