The Pittsburgh Steelers and General Manager Omar Khan have had a somewhat perfect 2024 NFL Draft through the first three rounds. Pittsburgh fixed the holes along the offensive line by selecting both Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier before getting George Pickens some help and acquiring Roman Wilson in the third round. Pittsburgh then got lucky and had Payton Wilson fall right into their hands at the 98th overall selection.
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Former NC State linebacker Payton Wilson looks to intercept a pass in a collegiate game against the North Carolina Tarheels.
Wilson was one of the best inside linebackers in the 2024 draft class, and he was projected to be a second round pick, but wound up sliding down draft boards due to medical concerns. The exact medical concerns are the fact that he does not have an ACL and has a history of knee and shoulder injuries. Ian Rapoport reported the fact that Wilson is missing an ACL in one of his knees during the third round of the draft.
From our NFL Draft coverage: The #Steelers selected at No. 98 a stud LB with stellar tape (but very real injury history) -- NC State LB Payton Wilson. Despite all that, never misses games and had a million tackles. pic.twitter.com/zaRRSUcsfp
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 27, 2024
The injury history can certainly be concerning, but it hasn't effected a season of Wilson's since 2021. He played in 11 games in 2022 and 12 in 2023. He received a grade of 89.9 from Pro Football Focus for his performance during the 2023 season where he tallied 92 tackles and 3 interceptions.
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NC State's Payton Wilson records a sack.
Wilson's lack of an ACL in one of his knees is concerning, and he tore the only ACL he does have during his senior year of high school. He suffered another knee injury ahead of his freshman season at NC State, and also had a season-ending shoulder injury at the start of his junior season in 2021. The pick is a bit of a gamble for Pittsburgh, but Cole Holcomb's status is up in the air and Elandon Roberts is only under contract through the 2024 season.
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Former Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward (#86) runs past Cincinnati Bengals defender Nate Clements (#22) during a regular season contest in Cincinnati, OH.
Steelers Legend Hines Ward And Payton Wilson Have A Major Similarity
Wilson isn't the first athlete in the NFL to be missing an ACL. Steelers legend Hines Ward also was missing an ACL. Despite missing this very crucial ligament, Ward went on to play 14 seasons for the Steelers and recorded 1,000 receptions across his illustrious career. Greg Lloyd was also missing an ACL and went on to make three All-Pro teams. Two crucial players in Steelers history had the same ailment as Wilson, so according to history, the odds he makes a positive impact for Pittsburgh is pretty high.
What do you think about Wilson missing an ACL? Let us know in the comments below!
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