Ravens Draft Tracker: David Wilson

David Wilson RB, Virginia Tech. 5'10" 206 lbs.

According to a story on cbssports.com, Wilson said Saturday he has already visited with the Cleveland Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers and he will travel to San Francisco to spend time with the 49ers this week. Like many players at this point in the draft process, Wilson is trying to avoid the daily predictions of analysts and instead focus on what he's hearing from team personnel. "To any team that I go to, I think that I offer a lot as far as my speed, my hands out the backfield, return game, special teams," Wilson said. "I like to use the word variety. When you get me, you're getting a lot of variety, so just put me out there and I'm ready to make plays or help the team win."

Wilson added that he has not yet received an invitation to go to New York for the draft like Ryan Williams did a year ago, and at this point he's planning to watch from home in Danville, Va., with his family. On Saturday, though, he was paying close attention to freshman tailback J.C. Coleman, one of several potential successors who also happens to be the player wearing Wilson's old No. 4 jersey these days. "A lot of players wore that number, and a lot of them play well in it," Wilson said. "I don't know if it's the number or the people that wear the number, but it's a good number to have." Befitting his reputation as one of the more upbeat players to ever step on the practice field at Virginia Tech, Wilson admitted he has a constant itch to play football again and it likely didn't help watching his former teammates on the field Saturday.

Wilson is currently ranked as the third best running back in this years draft. In most mocks he is projected to be drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round 53rd overall. I know the Ravens have a need at running back and probably will not take one this high but it may be good to get acquainted with Wilson all the same just in case we do have to face him twice a year

Here is the analysis on Wilson from Dane Brugler at cbssports.com:

Inside: Tough guy to bring down and almost always gets positive yardage when he lowers his pads and gets north/south. Still very raw as an inside runner, running too indecisive and struggling to find running room at the LOS … wavers and hesitates too much when the clear opening isn't there and ends up going east/west for a loss. Lacks natural instincts with questionable vision and awareness to feel blocks and press the hole. Will slow down prior to contact and leave yardage on the field.

Outside: A smooth, explosive athlete who accelerates quickly down field with a rare extra gear that he can reach in a hurry … can really turn on the jets. Shows the flexibility and balance to bend and stay on his feet while avoiding tackles. He has a strong plant foot with some shiftiness to catch defenders off balance and routinely gets to the second level … squirmy and tough.

Breaking tackles: Has a strong, compact build with good muscle mass on his body … generates power from his frame. He is physical with the strength to run through contact, keeping his legs churning and carrying defenders. Won't go down easy and picks up a lot of yardage after initial contact.

Blocking: Limited experience as a pass protector and needs extensive work on his technique.

Receiving: Has only average ball-skills out of the backfield and wasn't used a lot as a receiver in college. At his best on bubble screens to get him on the outside with a head of steam.

Intangibles: Runs at full speed on every play with full effort and determination … high energy player and doesn't cheat himself. Has suspect ball security with several fumbles over his career, holding the ball too loose. Has some coachability issues, openly questioning the play-calling at times … butted heads with the coaching staff more than a few times for not enough carries. Has only one season as the full-time starter. Participated in both football and track for his first two seasons at Virginia Tech and finished second in the ACC in the triple jump in 2010, qualifying for Nationals. Offers value on special teams as kick returner, tallying 59 returns for 1,285 (21.8) and 2 TDs over his career. Extremely productive as the full-time starter in 2011, setting several school records including single season rush yds (1,709) and consecutive games with 100+ rush yds (7) … 10 total 100+ rushing yd performances in 2011 (ties ACC record).

-- Dane Brugler