Philadelphia Eagles Draft Prospect Fits: Payton Wilson

Eagles Potential Draft Fit Payton Wilson

One of the more impressive but riskier prospects in this draft is Payton Wilson. At the linebacker position, it’s clear that Wilson is the most talented of the group. However, some serious questions will hinder Wilson throughout the process. An extensive injury history has to be questioned, especially in such a physical position as a linebacker. Regardless, the talent is elite for Wilson, and it could tempt the Eagles to select him on day two of the 2024 NFL Draft. Even though the Eagles addressed the linebacker position in free agency with Devin White and Zack Baun, there could be some more room for a player as talented as Wilson.

Payton Wilson is A Menace on the Field

It’s hard to miss Payton Wilson on the field. He is everywhere and regularly can make plays against both the pass and the run. Wilson declared after his fifth year at NC State, where he was extremely productive whenever he was healthy. Evident in his NFL combine workout, Wilson has freakish athleticism at the position. At 6’4” and 233 pounds, Wilson ran a 4.43 forty-yard dash, which matches up with how he flies around the field. Besides the athleticism, Wilson plays with a reckless abandon that fans cherish from watching linebackers. He’s not just a finesse, speed player. He is more than willing to throw his body around and deliver big hits, stopping ballcarriers in their tracks.

However, with that mentality comes the downside of Payton Wilson as a prospect. Wilson tore his ACL in high school, and while in college he had issues staying healthy with hamstring problems and most concerningly, shoulder issues. The injury concerns are prevalent and have caused him to miss most of the 2021 season with a shoulder injury. However, Wilson has always bounced back from the injuries, and his play on the field has never dipped. Other areas of improvement for Wilson lie in being able to take on offensive linemen head-on, as well as being able to diagnose plays a little faster. Yet, Wilson’s skillset is built for the current NFL, and the talent may outweigh the risks throughout his career.