Payton Wilson was one of the most decorated off-ball linebackers in the entire 2024 NFL Draft and was coming off an incredible final collegiate season at N.C. State. Wilson won both the Bednarik Award (given to the best defensive player in college football) and the Butkus Award (given to the best linebacker). He racked up a career-best 138 tackles, including 17.5 for a loss (also the most in the league) with six sacks, three interceptions, and 10 passes defended.
But Wilson slid to the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 98th selection in the draft, despite those accolades, due to a lengthy injury history. Wilson battled several injuries during his time in high school and college, including a torn ACL during his final high school season, and a second knee injury early in his college career. He also suffered a shoulder injury that cut his 2021 season short.
Then came this report from last spring, in the middle of the Draft itself:
Just now on NFL Network @rapsheet reported on Payton Wilson’s fall in the draft: “one of his knees does not have an ACL” … if that’s true his performance the last two years is absolutely outrageous.
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) April 27, 2024
Wilson later outlined that his knees sometimes do not show ACLs on scans, but the injury history was still extensive.
But one thing those scans also cannot show?
Heart.
Wilson showed that heart with this incredible interception in Sunday’s pivotal AFC North game against the Baltimore Ravens:
Wilson matches the wheel route from Justice Hill out of the backfield, and plays through the whistle, ripping the football away from the Ravens running back to create a critical turnover. Pittsburgh converted a field goal on their ensuing possession to extend their lead over Baltimore to 18-10.
Just an incredible play from the rookie linebacker.
