NC State Newsstand: What is holding Payton Wilson out of the first round?
It is the eve of the NFL draft and NC State linebacker Payton Wilson will be eagerly awaiting to hear his name called this weekend. But the biggest detractor in his draft profile is not anything that has to do with his game on the field, rather his injury history that has limited him at times.
Wilson, the 2023 Bednarik and Butkus Award winner, suffered multiple injuries early in his collegiate career. That has raised some concern from multiple NFL teams, likely keeping him out of the first round.
The Athletic talked with multiple anonymous assistant coaches around the league about various draft prospects this week and Wilson’s name was brought up in the story.
“He doesn’t have an ACL in his right knee,” an anonymous defensive assistant told The Athletic. “If he was healthy, he’d be the first (linebacker) drafted. I still think he’ll go later on Day 2. You’ve gotta expect that he’s only playing one contract. Anything you get more than that is a bonus. The kid plays like his hair’s on fire. His ability to play a block is an issue because he has really short arms (30 1/2) but the kid is friggin’ relentless. I think if San Francisco drafts him, he’ll get 150 tackles in that defense. If you get him in the third round and he’s a good player for you for four years, that’s not a bad pick.”
Wilson logged 138 total tackles to lead NC State’s defense this season, including an ACC-best 17.5 for a loss. He added six sacks, six pass deflections, three interceptions and a forced fumble for the Wolfpack.
The linebacker has been most recently projected as a third-round pick by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler and ESPN’s Jordan Reid. Reid slotted Wilson as the 81st overall pick to the Seattle Seahawks, while Brugler ranked the do-it-all defender as the No. 88 overall player in the draft.
The NFL draft is set for April 25-27 at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit. The first round will kick off with the first round at 8 p.m. on April 25, while the second and third rounds will begin at 7 p.m. on April 26. The final four rounds will begin at noon on April 27.
Tweets of the day
NC State men’s basketball gained a commitment from Louisville’s Mike James on Tuesday.
Wolfpack baseball dropped another midweek game, this time a 10-6 loss at East Carolina on Tuesday night.
Former NC State walk-on Thayer Thomas debuted a new charity to help other walk-ons in Raleigh.
Quote of the day
NC State is building momentum with Class of 2025 running back/defensive back Tray Kinkle. Which position does he want to play in college? Either one.
“I’m interested in playing football,” Kinkle said. “I feel like I could be great at whatever position…Running back is definitely my main position, but I could definitely play DB.”
Today’s top headlines
NC State transfer portal commitment analysis: Mike James
The Wolfpacker 3-2-1: Positive vibes around the running backs, NC State official visit intel
Rapidly rising RB/DB Tray Kinkle talks NC State offer
No. 21 NC State falls at No. 7 East Carolina as Alec Makarewicz returns to old stomping grounds
