Much like last season when the Pittsburgh Steelers were able to get defensive tackle Keenau Benton in the middle of the second round of the 2023 NFL draft, Pittsburgh might have scooped up another dynamic athletic defender outside of the first round with linebacker Payton Wilson this year.
Unfounded injury concerns pushed Wilson to the end of the third round and the Steelers wasted no time bringing in the former North Carolina State star.
Former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher gushed about Wilson and when you consider just how many great linebackers he coached, it’s hard to argue with his reasoning.
“His athletic ability speaks for itself,” Cowher said. “It’s off the charts. If you’re smart, productive, tough and can run, those are qualities that I saw with the linebackers with the Steelers. He has all those same qualities.”
Wilson was one of the most productive defenders in college football in 2023. Wilson finished with 138 total tackles in 12 games along with six sacks, 17.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions and six passes defended. It’s no stretch to say he’s as close to Ryan Shazier as this team has seen since he was with the team and has a very bright future.
