Scouting Report: Payton Wilson (LB) - NC State
Sales Pitch: “Explosive sideline to sideline linebacker with high end production and effort. A significant injury history and lack of play strength may limit his landing spots but a intriguing blend of athleticism and third down versatility creates impressive upside.”
Athletic Profile
Height: 6’ 3 7/8”
Weight: 233 lbs
Arm Length: 30 1/2”
Hand Size: 9”
40 Yard Dash: 4.43
10 Yard Split: 1.53
Vertical: 34.5”
Broad Jump: 9’ 11”
Short Shuttle: 4.20
3-Cone: 6.85
Age: 24
Relative Athletic Score: 9.89 / 10.00
Statistics
Career: 202 TKL - 48 TFL - 15 SK - 7 INT - 13 PD - 2 FF
2023: 69 TKL - 17.5 TFL - 6 SK - 3 INT - 6 PD - 2 FF
Strengths
Tremendous straight-line athlete w/ good size
Elite motor and pursuit effort
Sideline to sideline run defender who excels in space due to 4.4 speed
Quickly diagnoses and closes in run game
Size and versatility to set the edge in run defense
Disruptive penetrator on the backside of runs
Functional in zone coverage with good spatial awareness
Pass rush versatility as an EDGE or blitzer
Multi-year starter in college w/ high end statistical output
Impressive ball production in 2023
Improved tackling each year
Weaknesses
Extensive injury history dating back to high school
Tall skinny frame with short arms
Limited flexibility in midsection
Lacks strength or natural leverage to take on blocks at the point of attack
Struggles to disengage from blockers in hole
Marginal stopping power as a tackler in the hole
Aggressive player that can overrun plays in the run game and get sucked up by play action
Struggles to mirror quicker players in man coverage
Summary
Payton Wilson is a tall rangy linebacker who excels working sideline to sideline. Wilson was a 4-Star recruit from the state of North Carolina in 2018 after being a three sport star - football, lacrosse, and wrestling - in high school. He struggled with injuries for a large portion of his career, having to undergo two separate ACL and shoulder surgeries from 2018 to 2022. When Wilson was on the field, he was uber-productive, leading the Wolfpack in tackles and being named to the All-ACC team in 2020 and 2023. Wilson is at his best when playing out in space. He is excellent at diagnosing and closing downhill as a run defender. He leverage his 4.4 speed and fantastic pursuit effort for a massive tackling range. Wilson routinely makes plays as a backside penetrator by knifing across blockers faces for tackles. He is far better when attacking laterally where he can leverage his speed and quickness as opposed coming downhill. At just over 233 lbs, Wilson is light for the linebacker position. When combined with naturally high pads and short arms, he struggles to defeat blocks at the point of attack. He also lacks the flexibility elude blocks at the point attack by dipping around the contact. His below average strength also limits his ability to generate stopping power as a tackler in the hole, despite a willingness to take on contact. Wilson has intriguing third down versatility. He displayed solid ball skills in college (2 FF, 3 INT and 3 PBU in 2023) and the requisite athleticism and instincts to hold up in zone coverage. His straight-line burst and speed also made him an effective blitzer and given his size and solid hand usage he can even take some reps on the edge. Man coverage is a bit more of a challenge for Wilson. He is an aggressive player that can get sucked up by play action and lose his man coming across the formation or out of the backfield. He lacks the fluidity and change of direction skills to mirror quicker players in space, restricting him to marking bigger TEs exclusively. Wilson projects as an off-ball WILL in a 4-3 or 3-4 Jack that occasionally takes reps at EDGE. A leaner frame and significant injury history will take him completely off some teams board all together. Wilson will likely go sometime on late Day 2 as a athletic backer with special teams and blitz package versatility who could someday be a quality starter.