Queen is definitely one of the prize picks out of free agency, but who he could be paired with this upcoming season is a player that could be considered the sleeper pick for the Steelers from the draft: former NC State linebacker Payton Wilson.
Payton Wilson could make an immediate impact for the Steelers in 2024
Payton Wilson, the Steelers' third-round, No. 98 overall pick, entered the 2024 NFL Draft with a ton of question marks attached to him. It had nothing to do with his play, however; it had everything to do with his extensive, albeit somewhat unusual, injury history.
From Wilson's senior year to his first summer training camp at NC State, the linebacker tore not one but both of his ACLs. In fact, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported during draft night that one of Wilson's knees doesn't have an intact ACL. The rookie has since disputed that claim, per The Athletic. Nevertheless, that alone has to be overly concerning for the Steelers.
But then in his redshirt sophomore season, Wilson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in just the second game of the 2021 season.
Not that all of that was overlooked by the Steelers, but looking at Wilson's production when he was on the field made them take a chance on the linebacker while others were sleeping on him. In Wilson's five seasons and 45 games, he was a tackling machine. The speedy linebacker racked up 402 total tackles, 48 for a loss, 15 sacks, and seven interceptions.
Last season alone, Wilson had 138 total tackles, one forced fumble, and three interceptions, including a pick-six. The former Wolfpack member is coming to Pittsburgh playing some of the best football of his career. What's even better is he's healthy. And if he stays that way, he could contribute in a big way for the Steelers in 2024, while leaning on veteran help.
Payton Wilson is already fitting in with the Steelers
Though there will be veterans Queen and even Elandon Roberts, Wilson further adds to what has been an inside linebacker room lacking in Pittsburgh for a while now. Really, the position hasn't been the same since the loss of Ryan Shazier. Even last year, when the team thought they had finally figured it out, injuries to both Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander put a damper on the defense.
After just the second day of OTAs, the room looks to already be much improved. Queen, coming over from rival Baltimore, is just one addition who seems to be fully accepting of the Steelers' third-round pick.
“Athlete. Got that mindset. You can kind of tell the way he talks,” Queen said on Wednesday of Wilson, according to NFL Writer Aaron Becker. “He’s a really smart player. … That’s the type of guy you want in your room.”
Though it's safe to say the Steelers will be keeping a close eye on Wilson's health, he could come in and make an immediate impact on their defense this upcoming season. With Pittsburgh in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL in the AFC North, facing the likes of Burrow and last year's MVP Lamar Jackson, having a speedy athlete like Wilson will be welcomed.
