Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh Steelers’ Praised for ‘Perfect’ NFL Draft Pick

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated 5/1/24

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a proud tradition of defensive excellence, and building the roster around tough and physical homegrown talent, and that tradition has a strong chance of continuing following the 2024 NFL Draft.

Defensively, there’s a chance that general manager Omar Khan and head coach Mike Tomlin landed ‘the next great Steelers linebacker,’ in N.C. State’s Payton Wilson, according to CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso.

Trapasso lists Wilson as Pittsburgh’s ‘perfect’ selection during the 2024 NFL Draft.

“If Wilson stays healthy — which proved to be a big if at NC State,” Trapasso writes. “You’re currently reading about the next great Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker. Burst, speed, instincts, coverage chops, tackling reliability. It’s all there with Wilson. Beyond the injury history, he has incredibly short arms and is an older prospect. On the field, he had first-round talent.”

During his collegiate career, Wilson suffered a shoulder injury that remains an ongoing concern and, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, has no ACL left in one of his knees after tearing the ligament twice.

Payton Wilson Scouting Report

If Wilson can stay on the field, there’s no question he is a productive and disruptive force in the front seven.

While appearing in 12 games during the 2023 season, Wilson produced 138 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, three interceptions and broke up six passes.

“Wilson’s length and athletic profile could certainly push him up the board for some teams,” NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein writes of Wilson. “But his history with injuries could tamp down his draft stock. He’s free-flowing in pursuit and is at his best as a run-and-hit hunter rather than a static defender faced with a downhill blocker.

“He has the burst to shoot downhill and make a tackle for loss but lacks the demeanor or play strength to consistently leverage run fits. Wilson will find himself near the football frequently when allowed to play freely and avoid the mess in the middle.”