Pittsburgh Steelers select Payton Wilson in third round of 2024 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers have selected linebacker Payton Wilson in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He spent all five seasons of his collegiate career at NC State.

Wilson was excellent for the Wolfpack, tallying 402 tackles, 48 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, seven interceptions and one forced fumble in his career. His 2023 campaign was particularly stellar. This past season, Wilson exploded for 138 tackles, 17.5 TFLs, six sacks and three picks.

For his efforts, Wilson won the 2023 Chuck Bednarik Award and Butkus Award while also being named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Additionally, Wilson was a unanimous consensus All-American, only the fourth in school history.

Wilson’s not only skilled but also a physical talent. Standing at 6-foot-4, 233 pounds, Wilson busted out a blazing 4.43-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. Further, he recorded a 34.5” vertical jump and a 9’11” broad jump.

Payton Wilson played high school football at Orange High (NC), where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 68 overall recruit in the 2018 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Wilson is 24 years old. His time at the collegiate level was extended numerous times due to injury. Wilson suffered a torn ACL during his senior year at nearby Orange High. Once he arrived in Raleigh, he had a second knee injury, which led to a redshirt campaign during his freshman season.

He also suffered a season-ending shoulder injury at Mississippi State, the second game of his junior year, in 2021. Despite his history of injuries, Wilson put together back-to-back healthy seasons to close out his career. Now, he’ll look to keep his streak going at the professional level.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Payton Wilson

While NFL analyst Lance Zierlein is slightly concerned about Wilson’s history of injuries, he’s hopeful the NC State alum can put together a respectable career at the next level.

“Wilson’s length and athletic profile could certainly push him up the board for some teams, but his history with injuries could tamp down his draft stock,” Zierlein wrote. “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.

“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.”