FSU football: Two Noles on 2024 NFL Draft Boom or Bust Top 11 List

FSU football could see 10+ players drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft later this week. It'll be the most players selected since the 2015 NFL Draft class, with several guys hearing their names called in the first three rounds. Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Keon Coleman, and Johnny Wilson are a few who fit that profile. Interestingly, Fiske and Wilson are on USA Today's Top 11 boom or bust players list. This site defines these players as high risk and reward. Here's what they said about Johnny Wilson at No. 3:

"A 6-6, 231-pound target who can threaten defenses down the seam should be a sure thing to carve out a valuable role in any passing attack. Between his size and knack for adjusting to haul in off-target throws, Wilson might seem like a natural red-zone weapon. But that's just not his game – at least not at this stage. Despite the advantages afforded to him by his build and massive wingspan, Wilson has a mixed track record at best on contested catches, and only two of his 41 catches last season were for scores. Drops also have plagued him, as he too often looks uncomfortable securing even the easiest passes."

Thoughts

We have to keep in mind these folks don't watch every FSU game and probably go on narratives they read elsewhere. The reality is, that Wilson only had a seven percent drop rate (5 of 70 targets) in 2023, and they all came in the Southern Mississippi game. Regarding red zone targets, Jordan Travis was limited on certain throws, especially toward the middle of the field, so I'd attribute his lack of touchdowns to that more than anything. I've been on record I'd take Wilson over Keon Coleman if I were an NFL team. A guy his size who moves like that is worthy of an earlier selection. 
Here's what they said about Braden Fiske at No. 9:

"When Fiske beats opposing offensive linemen off the ball, look out. The sixth-year senior and transfer from Western Michigan excels at tracking down ball carriers, utilizing his high-energy approach and closing speed to notch six sacks last season. Everything about Fiske's play is relentless, and he can exploit opponents who let up even for a moment. The 6-4, 292-pounder can experience trouble, however, when he's stonewalled out of the gates. Fiske lacks the counters to keep his rush alive and the sheer strength to disengage from bigger blockers with longer reach."

Thoughts

Fiske dealt with a shoulder injury during spring and didn't get going until about halfway through the 2023 season. He also got held a ton that officials never called, but Fiske rarely got stonewalled when he was looking to penetrate. Teams get too caught up in measurements and will let his shorter arms scare them away, but this guy is a terror in the trenches. If anything, the shoulder history would scare me, but if he can stay healthy, he'll play in the NFL for a while.