Last season, injuries and a shortage of depth significantly affected the Pittsburgh Steelers’ linebacker corps. Cole Holcomb, a key starter, sustained a season-ending knee injury in Week 9, while Kwon Alexander, his backup, suffered an Achilles tear in Week 10, also ending his season prematurely. As a result, the Steelers had to turn to Mark Robinson, Mykal Walker, and Myles Jack, with Robinson being the sole remaining player from that list still on the team’s roster.
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Payton Wilson in the third round, with the 98th overall pick, during the 2024 NFL Draft.
Wilson’s physical attributes and athleticism may elevate his draft position for certain teams, yet his injury record might limit his appeal to others. He excels as an agile pursuer, thriving as a run-and-hit player rather than being effective in static situations against blockers.
“He possesses the explosiveness to attack downhill and disrupt plays behind the line of scrimmage but often lacks the aggression or strength to consistently dominate in run defense. Wilson tends to excel when given freedom to roam and evade congestion in the middle, frequently positioning himself near the ball carrier.”
He has third-down ability as a blitzer and is a talented cover man who can play zone or man coverage. Wilson has early starting potential but scheme fit and medical reports will play a big role in his evaluation.”
