With the 98th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers draft Payton Wilson — linebacker out of North Carolina State. While Wilson brings a tremendous amount of talent, he also brings a long injury history. Let’s take a look at what Payton Wilson brings to the Steelers.
Payton Wilson NFL Draft Profile 2024
Payton Wilson
Position: LB
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 233 lbs
Age: 24
College: NC State Wolfpack
Payton Wilson Stats 2023
- Games: 12
- Tackles: 138
- TFL: 17.5
- Sacks: 6
- INT: 3
Payton Wilson Highlights
Payton Wilson Combine Results
While he didn’t participate in all of the drills, here are the Payton Wilson Combine results that we have.
| 40-Yard Dash | 4.43 Sec |
| 10-Yard Split | 1.54 Sec |
| Vertical Jump | 34.5 Inches |
| Broad Jump | 9’11” |
| 3-Cone Drill | — |
| 20-Yd Shuttle | — |
| Bench Press | — |
RELATED | Full Payton Wilson NFL Draft Profile, Highlights and Stats
Payton Wilson Scouting Report
Strengths
Payton Wilson is a long linebacker who has tremendous athleticism. He is extremely fast, running the field very well. You’ll see people call him “rangy” which is absolutely fair. Wilson shows his high football IQ and has a nose for the ball. Truly, there isn’t much to dislike about his game, when he is on the field.
Weaknesses
Injury history. Wilson is an older prospect, turning 24 just before the draft. That is because he suffered multiple knee injuries that cost him seasons at NC State. Of course, he was able to come back and win the Butkus Award, but he does have an injury history with knee and shoulder injuries.
Wilson also has a bit of a slender frame. This isn’t a big deal in the ACC, but it could be an issue in the NFL. Of course, you could easily see this being a cause for health issues as well.
What to Expect From Payton Wilson in 2024
If Payton Wilson didn’t have the injury history he does, he wouldn’t have fallen this far in the 2024 NFL Draft. When he is healthy, he is going to be a difference-maker on the field for the Steelers. He flies all over the field and will be making plays left and right. Again, if he can find a way to play under control and be available all year long, we are talking about an absolute steal in the 2024 NFL Draft.
