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The Pittsburgh Steelers made an exciting decision in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, selecting highly accomplished linebacker Payton Wilson with the 98th overall pick. It didn’t take long for Steeler Nation to turn on the tape of Wilson’s dominant college career at NC State before realizing they had found a special talent. Of course, the biggest concern surrounding Wilson and the reason he fell to the third round was his previous medical history. However, the Steelers felt confident in his health and believed the value was simply too good to pass up at pick No. 98.
Wilson wasted little time making an impact in the NFL. From his rookie season, he started turning heads with his elite speed, incredible instincts, and ability to consistently find himself around the football. He quickly became a fan favorite because of his aggressive play style and knack for creating game-changing moments. In his rookie campaign, Wilson finished with 78 total tackles, one forced fumble, one interception, and a defensive touchdown after recovering a fumble and taking it to the house, showcasing the athleticism and playmaking ability that made him such an exciting prospect.
Wilson took another major step forward in the 2025 season, becoming one of the most productive players on the Steelers' defense. He led the team with 126 total tackles, including 74 solo tackles, while adding two sacks, a fumble recovery, and an interception. With new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham now in Pittsburgh, Wilson is expected to play a major role moving forward, but some questions remain about whether he can become a true three-down linebacker.
Concerns about his ability to consistently shed blocks in the run game and maintain strong coverage discipline have created some uncertainty around his long-term role. Steelers insider Mike DeFabo of The Athletic recently highlighted an interesting point, noting that Wilson actually lost snaps during the 2025 season despite his impressive jump in production.
"The other part of this conversation is Wilson," DeFabo said. "While he’s a high-level sub-package player who can be used in a lot of creative ways to disguise coverages and create hybrid schemes, he’s a leaner linebacker who sometimes struggles to get off blocks in the run game."
While Wilson has proven he can be an elite sub-package weapon capable of disguising coverages and creating matchup problems, the new coaching staff must determine how to maximize his skill set.
As the Steelers transition into a new defensive era, figuring out exactly how Wilson fits into the bigger picture could become one of the team’s most fascinating storylines.
"He’s been working toward becoming a three-down player, but lost some snaps in these packages as the 2025 season unfolded," DeFabo explained. "It remains to be seen how the new coaching staff sees him in that role."
There are still plenty of unknowns, especially with all the changes happening throughout the Steelers’ coaching staff.
Steelers Fans Have No Patience For A Slow Defensive Start In 2026
It’s understandable why Steelers fans are growing tired of watching one of the most expensive defenses in the NFL fail to consistently become one of the league’s most dominant units year after year.
The hope is that with Graham now leading the defense, that trend can finally change. Of course, having Wilson continue to develop and take another step forward in his third NFL season will be critical to making that happen.
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