Tag: Payton Wilson

NC State All-American LB Payton Wilson visits Texans for top 30 visit

Payton Wilson, one of the top linebacker prospects in the upcoming draft, recently visited the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.

Linebacker has been a position linked to the Houston Texans as a potential Day 2 option. General manager Nick Caserio might know what type of player he’s looking for up the middle.

North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson recently visited the Texans for a top 30 visit, according to KPRC2 Sports Aaron Wilson. Payton Wison is expected to be one of the first linebackers selected after three dominant seasons with the Wolf Pack.

Wilson dominated in his final season at NC State, earning All-American honors while winning ACC Defensive Player of the Year. In 13 games, Wilson totaled 138 tackles, 17.5 for loss, six sacks, three interceptions, a defensive touchdown and a forced fumble.

The fifth-year senior was more than a one-year phenom in Raleigh. In 2020, he recorded 108 tackles, 11.5 for loss, 3.5 sacks and two interceptions. A year later, he notched 82 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and one interception.

Wilson also won the Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the nation’s top overall defensive player. He also led the ACC in tackles in both 2020 and 2023.

At last month’s combine, Wilson solidified his draft stock as a top-three linebacker prospect, posting a 40-time of 4.33 seconds. He also posted a 34.5-inch vertical leap and a 9-foot-11 broad jump.

The Texans addressed the starting linebacker needs with the acquisition of former Titans’ standout Azeez Al-Shaair. They also return Christian Harris following a breakout season.

Second-year coach DeMeco Ryans will implement three linebacker sets. Outside of Al-Shaair and Harris, Henry To’oTo’o is the only player with a decent rep count.

The Texans, who own nine picks in next week’s draft, also hosted former Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper on a visit earlier this month.

Draft history indicates type of LB Cowboys are looking for

Looking at size and athletic testing can help determine which LB prospects fit the Cowboys. | From @ReidDHanson

Everyone has a type; a type of car, a type of ice cream and even a type of significant other. The Cowboys are certainly no exception. They too have types when they embark in roster building.

Dallas still needs to replenish the ranks at linebacker this offseason and with most of the premium options in free agency off the board, it’s likely they’ll turn to draft to satisfy those needs. 2024 isn’t a very rich draft in LB talent but it does offer a range of options at various stages in the process. The Cowboys shouldn’t feel obligated to address it early unless a specific prospect truly compels them to.

It’s been reported they’ve had official 30-visits from LBs such as Payton Wilson, Junior Colson, Edgerrin Cooper, Jordan Magee, Nathaniel Watson and Trevin Wallace. With so many notable prospects, it’s clear Dallas has prioritized the LB position in their scouting this year. Size, skill, and athleticism will all play into the decision as to which prospects the Cowboys will hunt and which prospects they’ll scratch off their list.

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Looking at measurements and testing from the Cowboys’ previous LB draft picks it can be determined what thresholds they’re looking at when making these determinations. Arjun Menon collected data going back to 2011 to gain insight into these thresholds. For Dallas it’s clear they really do have a type at LB.

Height, not so surprisingly, headlines the list of unique LB traits for the Cowboys. At an average height of 74.6 inches (6-foot-2), Dallas is second in the NFL, trailing only New Orleans. Weight is similarly an important trait for the Cowboys with an average weight of 243.8. While EDGE players like Micah Parsons might skew the stats a little in these categories, it’s still clear the Cowboys like big LBs patrolling the second level.

Of the scouted LBs listed above, none appear to be overwhelmingly imposing in stature. Falling between 228 pounds and 238 pounds and standing between 6-foot-1 and 6-foot-4, most miss Dallas’ typical size thresholds.

The Cowboys also seem to value three-cone times in their LB prospects. Most of their picks since 2011 have finished in plus territory here, indicating agility and change of direction are important to them as well.

With a 6.85 three-cone time, Wilson stands out above most in this regard. Many of the others decided to forgo agility testing but it’s assumed Wallace would score well given his other athletic numbers.

The Cowboys are clearly scouting this LB class heavily but besides Wilson, no one truly jumps out as a true Cowboys-type of LB. It’s safe to assume given the needs at the position and number of prospects scouted, the Cowboys won’t be overly hung up on measurables like they may have been in the past. But they will still play a part because the Cowboys, like everyone else, have a “type.”

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Steelers bring in OL Graham Barton, LB Payton Wilson for pre-draft visits

The Steelers continued their pre-draft visits with Graham Barton and Payton Wilson on Tuesday.

With the NFL draft (finally) going down next week, the Pittsburgh Steelers pre-draft visits continue.

On Tuesday, it’s Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton and NC State linebacker Payton Wilson.

Barton, a projected first-round prospect, has often been mocked to the Steelers this offseason. Standing at 6-foot-5, most of Barton’s collegiate experience comes at left tackle with only six games at center, but many believe the latter will be his position as a pro.

It’s a foregone conclusion that Pittsburgh will be taking a player at both positions in the early rounds. The Steelers love versatility in their offensive lineman and Barton certainly fits the bill.

Pittsburgh also needs depth at linebacker, and Wilson could be that guy. According to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo, he’s the first inside linebacker to visit the Steelers. There are questions beyond Patrick Queen with Elandon Roberts entering the final year of his contract and Cole Holcomb facing an uphill battle to return from injury.

Injuries plagued his first four seasons at NC State, but Wilson was injury-free in the final two. In 2023, he produced 138 tackles, six sacks, and three interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown.

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Unpacking Future Packers: No. 22, NC State LB Payton Wilson

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview is NC State linebacker Payton Wilson.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.

As it stands right now the Green Bay Packers have Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson as the notable linebackers on the roster. It’s a safe bet that Brian Gutekunst will use one of those five picks in the Top 100 on a linebacker.

A potential target is Payton Wilson. The North Carolina State linebacker checks in at No. 22 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

A four-star recruit, Wilson recorded 69 tackles, five tackles for loss and one interception after he redshirted in 2018. The following season, the North Carolina native recorded 108 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two interceptions. Wilson played in just two games during the 2020 season after suffering a shoulder injury. 

In 2022, Wilson recorded 82 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and one interception. Wilson was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year after he recorded 138 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, three interceptions and six pass deflections.

“He was the heartbeat of our defense and football team,” Tony Gibson, the NC State linebackers coach, said. “His leadership set the tone every day on and off the field. His practice habits and effort were as good as I have ever seen in my 30 years of coaching. He was the best linebacker in college football and in my opinion the best defensive player in the country.”

Wilson plays like his hair is on fire. He’s like the Tasmanian Devil on the gridiron. He has strong hands and a high batting average as a tackler. Once he gets his hands on the opponent he’s taking them to the ground. Over the past two seasons, Wilson was tagged with just 12 missed tackles. 

Wilson has sideline-to-sideline range and is quick to erase any running lanes.  He has exceptional closing burst and takes appropriate angles to hunt down his prey. Watching the NC State linebacker in pursuit is like watching the National Geographic Channel. 

The former four-star recruit shows good instincts and always seems to be in on the action. He explodes downhill and finished the past two seasons with 30 tackles for loss. 

“He’s a very smart player so he understands how teams tried to attack us in the run game,” Gibson said. “He is also a very physical player and loves contact. He has the mindset that if he doesn’t make the tackle the play will go for a touchdown.”

Wilson has the movement skills to hold up in coverage. He has outstanding lateral agility and shows he can flip his hips and run downfield. 

Movement skills to hold up in coverage. He has outstanding lateral agility. He gets appropriate depth in his drops. He trusts his eyes and finished the past two seasons with four interceptions and nine pass deflections.

Wilson is also a very effective blitzer. During his final two seasons at NC State, he recorded 10.5 sacks and 51 pressures.

“He will be elite in coverage because of how athletic he is,” Gibson said. “He also can run in man coverage with any tight end in the NFL. In zone coverage he has great awareness and length and can break on the ball.”

It was no surprise that Wilson put on a show at the NFL Scouting Combine. A former multi-sport athlete, Wilson clocked a 4.43 40-yard dash. At his Pro Day, Wilson clocked a 4.20 short shuttle and a 6.85 three-cone. 

Wilson logged 287 snaps on special teams during his time at NC State and recorded six tackles.

Fit with the Packers

If the Packers feel comfortable with Wilson’s medicals, he could prove to be a steal on Day 2 of the draft.

The NC State linebacker is an alien athlete, who plays like he was the turbo button smashed down at all times. 

“The effort that he plays with and the passion he has for football are reasons why I would draft Wilson,” Gibson said. “He makes players around him better by the way he plays.”

Wilson closed out his collegiate career with a bang. He was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and earned the Butkus Award, which recognizes the best linebacker in college football.

If it weren’t for his medical history and to a certain extent his age (24), he’d be heralded by many draft pundits as a first-round talent. 

Wilson is an explosive athlete and has a well-rounded skill set that could see him develop into a four-down force. With the Packers having four Day 2 picks and a desperate need for another impact linebacker, Wilson to Green Bay makes a ton of sense. 

2024 NFL Draft: North Carolina State LB Payton Wilson scouting report

North Carolina LB Payton Wilson is an ideal three-down defender at the NFL level, capable of just about everything a linebacker can do.

The winner of the 2023 Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker, the 2023 Bednarik Award as the nation’s best defensive player, and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Payton Wilson was a four-star recruit out of Orange High School in Hillsborough, North Carolina. He missed his freshman season of 2018 due to knee injuries, but came on in 2019, and never looked back. In the Wolfpack’s 2023 season, Wilson totaled six sacks, 22 total pressures, 92 solo tackles, 67 stops, and he allowed 24 catches on 37 targets for 221 yards, 164 yards after the catch, no touchdowns, three interceptions, three pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 47.2.
Linebackers have been devalued to a degree in the NFL, but linebackers like Wilson, who has such impressive and efficient versatility, don’t come around every day, either.

PLUSES

— Depending on where he’s aligned pre-snap, can cover everywhere from the flat to hook/curl. An instinctive natural in coverage.

— Can rush the quarterback off-ball and on the line of scrimmage. Has the speed to chase down mobile quarterbacks all over the field, and can even get a little bendy around the edge.

— Gap-shooting expert who will quickly cross the faces of blockers, and moves to the ballcarrier in a hurry.

— Reacts quickly and intelligently to fakes and misdirection to the line of scrimmage; you can tell that he has a quick-twitch brain.

— Reads the quarterback well enough to break off of his first responsibility and deal with whatever he wasn’t expecting.

MINUSES

— Tends to live on a straight line in pursuit; occasionally, he’ll get waylaid by bigger guys whomping him from the side.

— Can cover tight ends up the seam, but he’s better near the line of scrimmage. More a true linebacker than a big safety.

— Hell-bent style of play will occasionally have him whiffing mightily in the open field.

— Decent recovery speed for his position, but he really needs to be on his target from the snap.

— Gets his tackles in the backfield more from quickness and gap understanding than pure power; he’s not your ideal guy for “Jacked Up!” highlights.

If you like Frankie Luvu as a hyper-versatile linebacker (and if you don’t, what the heck is wrong with you?), Wilson profiles very much the same way as a true three-down ‘backer in any scheme. There isn’t much he can’t do, and as much as anybody in this class, he personifies the modern linebacker who can take half the field over, and is a credible problem for opposing offenses in multiple ways.

Steelers pass on top need in new 2-round mock draft

This new mock draft misses the mark for the Steelers.

After a huge start to free agency, the Pittsburgh Steelers have filled multiple starting spots but there is still work to be done. Primarily, finding a new starting center has taken center stage as the team’s No. 1 roster need.

With that said, Ryan Fowelr at The Draft Network has a new two-round mock draft out and they chose to pass on center for the Steelers in both of the first two rounds.

In the first round, Fowler has the Steelers taking former Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims. Mims doesn’t have a ton of experience but there is some synergy about the Steelers going back to Georgia for a second draft in a row and drafting antoher bookend offensive tackle. Nevertheless, he passes on three top center prospects to do it.

Moving to the second round, the top centers are all off the board and Fowler has the Steelers selecting linebacker Payton Wilson. After adding Patrick Queen in free agency, this feels like a reach with the team’s other needs.

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Quick look at 2024 NFL draft landscape at linebacker for Packers

The Packers need linebackers. The best avenue for adding at this point? The 2024 draft.

Brian Gutekunst went to the market to sign a veteran linebacker to pair with Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie. Unfortunately, Green Bay’s general manager discovered that the linebacker aisle was picked over, like the toy aisle the day before Christmas. 

With the linebacker market barren, the Packers will likely need to trade for a veteran or use the draft to bolster the linebacker room at 1265 Lombardi Avenue. Let’s take a look at some linebackers that the Packers could target in the 2024 NFL draft.

Potential Target at 25

Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M

Cooper is an explosive mover and a true difference-maker. He can impact the game as a run defender, as a blitzer, or in coverage. If Cooper were to land in Green Bay he’d be the best linebacker on the roster, and no that’s not a shot at Walker. It’s a credit to Cooper. 

Cooper may be viewed as a bit of a reach in the first round, but the same thing can be said about Eric Stokes, Quay Walker, etc. Cooper would be a home run pick at 41, but Gutekunst may see the value in taking the impactful linebacker with the 25th overall pick. 

Day 2 Targets

Cedric Gray, UNC

Gray was all over the field this past season for the Tar Heels. He recorded 121 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and five sacks. The UNC linebacker works his way through the trash against the run and has the movement skills to hold up in coverage.

Junior Colson, Michigan

Mr. Always in the Right Place at the Right Time, Colson would be a steady presence in the middle of Green Bay’s defense. Colson is comfortable dropping in space and does a good job of reading the quarterback’s eyes. He has the range as a run defender to shut-down outside runs and is a reliable tackler. He is quick to diagnose and beats blockers to the spot. 

Payton Wilson, NC State

Every team could use a Payton Wilson. If he had a clean bill of health (two leg injuries), he’d be in the Potential Target at 25 tier with Cooper. The NC State product is the complete package at linebacker. He’s a physical, downhill defender against the run and he has the movement skills to hold up in coverage.

Day 3 Targets

Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington

From walk-on to captain, Ulofoshio had quite the journey during his time at Washington. The Alaska native is all heart and his motor is always running. He trusts his eyes and is quick to react to meet ball carriers in the hole. The Husky linebacker shows good instincts in coverage.

Jordan Magee, Temple

Magee isn’t a hulking linebacker, but he has the functional strength to destroy blocks and disrupt the action. He’s a smart player that is quick to read and react. The Temple linebacker gets good depth on his drops and looks comfortable moving laterally. Magee logged 307 snaps on special teams during his collegiate career and could carve out a role in that regard immediately as a rookie. 

Marist Liufau, Notre Dame

Liufau plays like his hair is on fire and is relentless in his pursuit of the ball carrier. He has the sideline-to-sideline quickness and is comfortable dropping into space.

Trevin Wallace, Kentucky

Wallace is an outstanding athlete with the sideline-to-sideline range to chase down ball carriers. A former track athlete, Wallace is the type of prospect that Gutekunst has a history of targeting. If his instincts ever catch up to his athletic traits, Wallace could develop into quite the difference-maker at the next level.

Curtis Jacobs, Penn State

A team will roll the dice on the Penn State linebacker’s athletic traits. With his quickness and his experience on special teams, it’s a safe bet that he could develop into a core player on special teams. Jacobs is a twitched-up athlete with the movement skills to hold up on coverage. 

JD Bertrand, Notre Dame

Bertrand is a cerebral player who trusts his eyes and is quick to read the action. He’s a downhill player, who does a good job of sifting through the trash to locate the ball carrier. With his instincts, relentless motor and special teams experience, Bertrand would be a solid addition to Green Bay’s linebacker room. 

These 4 players helped their chances of being drafted by Chargers at NFL Combine

Here are four players who improved their chances of being a Charger this fall.

The NFL Combine is generally regarded as the event that begins to solidify draft boards, as players rise and fall based on their testing and interview sessions during the week in Indianapolis.

Here are four players who improved their chances of being a Charger this fall.

Fiske was already on many people’s radars after a stellar performance at the Senior Bowl in February, but his draft stock had only jumped from Day 3 to…earlier Day 3. Not so after his performance in Indianapolis, as Fiske posted elite numbers in every testing event except the bench press. His 9.88 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) was just outside the top ten for any player present at the Combine.

Fiske is now ranked as the 83rd best player in the draft by Jack Lichtenstein’s consensus big board, which aggregates ranks from 20 of the internet’s most reputable draft coverage sources. That could put him well in play for the Chargers’ third-round pick at 69th overall, especially considering that new defensive coordinator Jesse Minter prefers his interior defenders to be plus athletes.

Wilson blew up the testing portion of the festivities in Indianapolis, leading the linebackers with a 4.43 40 yard dash and testing above the 70th percentile in both the vertical and broad jump. But all of that was expected, to some extent. What was more worth celebrating for Wilson was his medicals, which reportedly came back clean after a college career wrought by shoulder injuries.

If Wilson truly is a green flag on the medical front, the only thing stopping him from being a top 40 pick is the positional value of linebackers. His film is arguably the best of any prospect’s at the position this year. Ranked at #61 on Lichtenstein’s consensus big board, Wilson could slip to 69th overall, but a clean bill of health could also just as well put him in contention at 37th overall.

A Chargers Wire favorite this cycle, Reiman vindicated the staff of this website by testing as the tenth-best tight end ever, per RAS. He ran a 4.64 40-yard dash at 271 pounds and posted elite agility times for the position despite a 97th percentile weight. Reiman also drew notable crowd reactions for his work in blocking drills once the tight ends hit the field.

That last section will be key for the Chargers, who will be searching for tight ends who can bang as in-line blockers under new offensive coordinator Greg Roman. Roman’s offense, because of its run-heavy tendencies, also utilizes tight ends in the pass game fairly often. Reiman showed in Indianapolis that he has a bit more to him than draftniks have given him credit for—he’s ranked on only two of the 20 sites used to form the consensus board.

Breaking records at the Combine is generally pretty good. It’s even more notable when the record you’re breaking is Jason Kelce’s, which is exactly what Bortolini did by throwing down a 7.16 3-cone drill in Indianapolis. The rest of his testing was similarly elite, with his shuttle, jumps, and 40-yard dash all ranking at the 95th percentile or higher.

Bortolini isn’t an exceedingly powerful player—his 21 reps on the bench were around the 25th percentile for centers—which may cloud his fit with the Chargers. But Los Angeles needs a center, and Bortolini’s added versatility at guard could prove useful as a swing lineman early in his career while new strength coach Ben Herbert adds power to his frame. Ranked 176th on the consensus board, Bortolini is a name to watch closely on Day 3.

Panthers great Luke Kuechly gushes over 2024 draft prospect

Panthers great Luke Kuechly is a fan of one of his biggest fans, NC State LB Payton Wilson.

Someone is going to have to check on Payton Wilson today.

Carolina Panthers legend Luke Kuechly joined Wednesday’s special episode of Up & Adams, hosted by Kay Adams from Bank of America Stadium. When asked if he has any draft advice for his team this spring, the former Defensive Player of the Year and five-team first-team All-Pro singled out one prospect in particular.

“At the draft, I always look at linebackers,” Kuechly told Adams. “And there’s a guy that I loved watching for a long time up at NC State—Payton Wilson. He ran extremely well, he was in 4.4s, and he’s been super productive and he plays really hard.”

Well, that’s awfully appropriate considering who Wilson admires most. (Yep, it’s Luke.)

During his media availability at the scouting combine this past week, Wilson spoke about how Kuechly inspires his game.

“The way that he played the game, I mean obviously outside of his football IQ, knowing literally every play that was coming, playing with his hair on fire, trying to take people’s heads off — it was something that I just wanted to do,” Wilson said. “I’ve actually been in contact with him. And the person he is outside of the game never changed. Everything goes to the Lord for him. So on and off the field, I’m just trying to model my game after him.”

Like Kuechly did, Wilson heads into the pros as the reigning Butkus Award winner and ACC Defensive Player of the Year. The Hillsborough, N.C. native is also flying in with an impressive 40-yard dash time of 4.44 seconds, a tick faster than Kuechly’s 4.58 back in 2012.

So far, so good, kid.

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