Former NC State LB Payton Wilson impressing early in NFL career
Former NC State linebacker Payton Wilson is just four games into his NFL career, but the linebacker has already impressed those inside the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise and around it.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler named Wilson the linebacker runner-up on his early season All-Rookie team Wednesday. Wilson trailed Seattle Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight on Brugler’s list.
“Wilson has played at least 20 defensive snaps each game for the Steelers, including his first start Sunday,” Brugler wrote. “He isn’t ready for coverage responsibilities and will run himself into blocks at times, but his reaction speed and competitive toughness give him a real chance to carve out a full-time role as the season goes on.”
Wilson recorded a career-best six total tackles in the Steelers’ 27-24 loss to the Colts this past weekend, playing a season-best 37 defensive snaps in the contest.
The former Bednarik and Butkus Award winner last fall, Wilson has kept himself in the Steelers’ linebacker rotation with his standout play from the preseason and in practice. He was a third-round selection by Pittsburgh, but the linebacker appears he has quickly outplayed his 98th overall pick tag.
Wilson made quite the first impression in the preseason with seven total tackles, including five solo stops, and a tackle for a loss against the Houston Texans on Aug. 9.
“He was active on defense, but I think it’s kind of reflective of the production we’ve seen from him in Latrobe,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters after Wilson’s preseason debut. “So I don’t know that any of us are surprised by it. I thought it was a good start individually for him.”
Wilson seems to still have his elite work ethic — and it might have taken an even step further than when he had it in Raleigh.
“Him and I don’t usually discuss how well he performs,” Steelers linebackers coach Aaron Curry told 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh during the preseason. “We always discuss what he can do to take his game to the next level. … “We are still looking for ways to continue to take his game to the next level. He’s a coachable player that wants to be the best. I’m trying to do everything I can to help him achieve his goals.”
Wilson, who has appeared on the Steelers’ depth chart as the No. 2 left inside linebacker behind former Baltimore Ravens standout Patrick Queen, has stood out inside Pittsburgh’s defensive meeting rooms.
Queen, a former first-round pick out of LSU in 2020, raved about Wilson as he prepared for his first season in the NFL.
“Great impact. The guy could do everything,” Queen told Steelers.com about Wilson. “He’s an athletic freak. Just the things that he does and how well he communicates, and the want to be great is just rare to find in somebody that young. Just for him and the position he’s in to be able to come in and dominate, he realizes that. And he takes full advantage of it.”
Wilson has made 11 total tackles this regular season, including seven solo stops. The linebacker boasts a 66.7 overall grade from Pro Football Focus this season, but he is coming off his best mark of 74.0 against the Colts.
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