The Pittsburgh Steelers chosen ILB Payton Wilson with their second decide within the third spherical of the 2024 NFL Draft. That proved to be a shrewd transfer, as he earned a quasi-starting function as a rookie. Getting into 12 months 2, it’s not solely clear how a lot he’ll play, however he definitely will play. In some ways, he performed like a veteran already, however he was nonetheless a rookie.
Payton Wilson performed each recreation for the Steelers, formally “beginning” 4 and logging 495 snaps. That’s on protection, anyway, as a result of he performed one other 301 snaps on particular groups. Going into his second season, particular groups coordinator Danny Smith should discover somebody to assist out.
At the least that’s what latest historical past suggests, as Nick Herbig’s particular groups function declined final 12 months after taking over an even bigger function on protection. Payton Wilson ought to have a fair greater function on the Steelers’ protection than Herbig, too.
Nonetheless, once more, it’s not solely clear precisely what his function is. Whereas the Steelers didn’t re-sign Elandon Roberts, they did signal Malik Harrison. They usually additionally opted to retain Cole Holcomb, who can return to play this season. It appears as if the Steelers plan to platoon Wilson, a sentiment shared by a number of beat writers.
After all, plans in March and April can change in July and August. If Wilson simply appears clearly higher than his competitors and an every-down participant, the Steelers will wrestle to take him off the sector. There may nonetheless be a job for a run-stuffing linebacker in apparent conditions, however Wilson is a whole participant. Bodily, athletically, and mentally, he has the makings of a three-down linebacker.
I believe, then, that the ball is principally in his court docket. Whereas the Steelers have Patrick Queen as their “quarterback of the protection”, they definitely wouldn’t complain if Payton Wilson performed so nicely as to discourage them taking him off the sector. Harrison is restricted as extra of a two-down participant, with struggles in protection. As for Holcomb, we haven’t seen him play since his knee harm, so he’s an unknown.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are arising on the 2025 NFL Draft, which implies it’s time to assessment final 12 months’s class. The second beneath new common supervisor Omar Khan and assistant Andy Weidl, their class as soon as once more garnered favorable opinions. Of the seven gamers they drafted, notably, all of them stay with the crew. Moreover, three or 4 are starters, with the potential for even a fifth.
The offensive line marked the nucleus of final 12 months’s class. Three of the Steelers’ prime 5 picks went to that unit, and all three ought to begin this season. However every of their prime 5 picks might have an enormous function this season, together with third-round WR Roman Wilson.
