Pack Pros: LB Payton Wilson impresses yet again, highest-graded defender in NFL Week 8

Former NC State linebacker Payton Wilson has carved out a critical role within the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense in just his second NFL season. The Pack Pro continued his red-hot start to the 2025 campaign in Week 8. 

Wilson posted nine total tackles, including five solos, with four quarterback pressures in the Steelers’ 35-25 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football. He was the highest-graded defender in the entire NFL this past week with a 92.7 mark, according to Pro Football Focus, for his standout primetime effort.

The former All-ACC defender now leads the Steelers with 57 total tackles through the first eight weeks of the season. His 35 solo stops are 10 more than the next closest defender on the team (LB Patrick Queen), while Wilson has also added five tackles for a loss and a fumble recovery this fall.

While Wilson continues to impress with the Steelers, he wasn’t the only Pack Pro in action this weekend. Here’s a look at how each of NC State’s NFL players did in Week 8.

Pack Pros: NFL Week 8

OT Anthony Belton (played at NC State from 2021-2024), #71 Green Bay Packers: Belton played three snaps at right tackle in the Packers’ 35-25 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football. All three plays were rushing attempts in the victory.

C Garrett Bradbury (2014-18), #65 New England Patriots: Bradbury played 68 snaps at center in the Patriots’ 32-13 win over the Cleveland Browns. He allowed just one quarterback pressure in the victory.

QB Jacoby Brissett (2014-15), #7 Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals were on bye this week.

OLB Bradley Chubb (2014-17), #2 Miami Dolphins: Chubb recorded two total tackles in the Dolphins’ 34-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

P A.J. Cole III (2015-18), #6 Las Vegas Raiders: The Raiders were on bye this week.

DL Cory Durden (2021-22), #94 New England Patriots: Durden logged one total tackle in the Patriots’ 32-13 win over the Cleveland Browns. He played 23 total snaps in the victory.

OT Ikem Ekwonu (2019-21), #79 Carolina Panthers: Ekwonu played 64 total snaps in the Panthers’ 40-9 loss to the Buffalo Bills. He allowed two quarterback pressures at left tackle, one of which led to a sack.

DL B.J. Hill Jr. (2014-17), #92 Cincinnati Bengals: Hill recorded six total tackles, including one solo stop, in the Bengals’ 39-38 loss to the New York Jets. 

RB Nyheim Hines (2015-17), #31 Los Angeles Chargers: Hines played seven total snaps in the Chargers’ 37-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday Night Football. He logged two carries for minus-two yards in the victory.

S Tanner Ingle (2018-22), #34 Los Angeles Rams: Ingle is on the Rams’ practice squad. The team was on bye this week.

DT Justin Jones (2014-17), #93 Arizona Cardinals: Jones was placed on the Cardinals’ injured reserve with a knee injury in August. 

RB Zonovan Knight (2019-21), #35 Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals were on bye this week.

OL Tim McKay (2019-2024), #68 Washington Commanders: McKay didn’t play in the Commanders’ 28-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football. He’s on the team’s practice squad.

OL Dylan McMahon (2019-23), #63 Los Angeles Rams: McMahon is a practice squad player for the Rams, who were on bye this week.

DT Alim McNeill (2018-20), #54 Detroit Lions: The Lions were on bye this week.

WR Jakobi Meyers (2016-18), #16 Las Vegas Raiders: The Raiders were on bye this week.

DT Larrell Murchison (2018-19), #52 Los Angeles Rams: The Rams were on bye this week.

LB Germaine Pratt (2014-18), #53 Indianapolis Colts: Pratt paced the Colts with eight total tackles, including three solo stops, in the team’s 38-14 win over the Tennessee Titans. He had a tackle for a loss in the victory.

DL Kentavius Street (2014-17), #93 Atlanta Falcons: Street is on the Falcons’ practice squad.
He did not play in the team’s 34-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

LB Drake Thomas (2019-22), #42 Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks were on bye this week.

OL Joe Thuney (2011-15), #62 Chicago Bears: Thuney logged 63 total snaps at left guard in the Bears’ 30-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He allowed just one quarterback pressure in the defeat.

LB Payton Wilson (2018-23), #41 Pittsburgh Steelers: Wilson impressed with nine total tackles in the Steelers’ 35-25 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football. The standout Pack Pro posted five solo stops with four quarterback pressures in the defeat.

QB Russell Wilson (2007-10, finished at Wisconsin), #3 New York Giants: Wilson, the Giants’ backup quarterback, did not play in the team’s 33-32 loss to the Denver Broncos.OL Chandler Zavala (2021-22), #62 Carolina Panthers: Zavala was placed on the Panthers’ injured reserve with a knee injury.