NC State stars Payton Wilson, Christopher Dunn, recognized in ESPN's NFL Draft rankings
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. recently released his updated 2023 NFL Draft rankings featuring his top-25 overall prospects and his top-10 ranking for each position group as the college football regular season enters its home stretch. His list featured two members of the Wolfpack— kicker Christopher Dunn and linebacker Payton Wilson.
Dunn making the list is no surprise. He has been one of the most consistent kickers in the nation this year. He has not missed, checking in at 15 for 15 this season on field goal tries and 21 for 21 on extra-points. He is as reliable as it gets in college football, leading to Kiper’s ranking of No. 7 amongst kickers and punters.
Here is Kiper’s complete ranking of kickers and punters:
1. Tory Taylor, Iowa (P)
2. Bryce Baringer, Michigan State (P)
3. Chad Ryland, Maryland (K)
4. Jake Moody, Michigan (K)
5. Joe Doyle, Memphis (P)
6. Harrison Mevis, Missouri (K)
7. Christopher Dunn, NC State (K)
8. Brad Robbins, Michigan (P)
9. Kyle Ostendorp, Arizona (P)
10. Michael Turk, Oklahoma (P)
Wilson checked in at No. 9 on Kiper’s inside linebacker ranking. After playing in 7 out of 8 games for NC State this year, Wilson is second on the team in tackles with 48 and tied for second in sacks with 2. His elite combination of speed and size helped him lead the ACC in tackles two years ago, and he continues to display that athletic ability with the Pack this season.
Here is Kiper’s full list of inside linebackers:
1. Drew Sanders, Arkansas
2. Jack Campbell, Iowa
3. Noah Sewell, Oregon
4. Trenton Simpson, Clemson
5. Daiyan Henley, Washington State
6. Henry To’oTo’o, Alabama
7. Owen Pappoe, Auburn
8. Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State
9. Payton Wilson, NC State
10. DeMarvion Overshown, Texas
After missing last season due to injury, Wilson has continued to show out as an All-ACC caliber linebacker, and now he is garnering NFL recognition.
Both of his peers in the NC State linebacker corps have a legitimate case to be included on the list as well. Drake Thomas leads the team in tackles and quarterback hurries with 58 and 9, respectively, while Isaiah Moore leads the team in tackles for loss at 7.5.
Nose tackle Cory Durden, nickel Tyler Baker-Williams and safety Tanner Ingle are also notable omissions from Kiper’s list. Durden was out for part of the Syracuse game due to injury, but he has 12 tackles and 4 quarterback hurries through 8 games.
Baker-Williams has also missed time with an injury but, when he is healthy, he has a case as the Wolfpack’s best defensive back. The nickel has 2 interceptions, 2.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble. He is the only member of the extremely talented NC State defense to record a stat in each of those categories.
Ingle, one of the most consistent presences in the Wolfpack secondary, is putting together another really solid season. He ranks third on the team in tackles with 43, second with 6 quarterback hurries and he has 4.5 tackles for loss.
Offensively, lineman Chandler Zavala is an interesting omission. The sixth-year offensive guard was a mid-season All-American according to The Athletic and is having a great season as a graduate student.
Each of these Wolfpack stars could easily be productive NFL players, and I would be surprised if we do not see them join Wilson and Dunn on draft boards at some point before next April.
