Steelers Provide Clear Path for Rookie LB Payton Wilson

UNITY TWP., Pa. — Last year, the Pittsburgh Steelers got highly touted rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. started out in their defense with a role in the team’s Dime package, and it seems that linebacker Payton Wilson is headed for a similar trajectory in 2024.

Porter was the club’s second-round selection, but started out behind veterans Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace at outside cornerback. That left the Dime cornerback role for Porter.

It wasn’t necessarily the biggest role from the start. Porter saw just seven snaps of defense in the team’s season opener against the San Francisco 49ers last fall. But he quickly progressed from there, starting by replacing Wallace after a minor injury in Week 3.

By the end of the year, Porter had not only passed both Peterson and Wallace on the depth chart as the team’s No. 1 cornerback, but following other teams’ No. 1 wide receivers all over, as well. 

“I feel like I was already ready, just that confidence I had that I was always ready,” Porter said. “But it worked out best how they did it. It’s a long season. It was way different than college. Just getting that as a rookie and understanding that, I feel like it was probably the best decision.”

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So now Wilson will head down the same path, starting out as the Dime linebacker while Patrick Queen and Elandon Roberts run with the first-team defense. Wilson said he thinks it’s a big deal that he’s been given any role, no matter if it’s a small one, considering the depth and experience of the rest of the Steelers linebacker room.

“It’s just awesome to have the trust from the coaches to be in a position to play man coverage, and just the trust that they’ve put in me,” he said. “Obviously, it’s challenging. You’re going against the best in the world. Just continue to get better every day, continue to learn the defense and be able to fly around and make plays. “

From a skillset standpoint, the role of a Dime linebacker is a little bit different than playing on first and second downs. The job is more about coverage and speed than it is toughness and physicality. But that suits Wilson just fine.

Payton Wilson, NC State Athletics

It’s not that he isn’t tough. The former high school wrestler did everything on defense at NC State, including moving out to the edge to rush the passer at times. But he seems just fine with leaning on his speed and athleticism to make his first mark at the NFL level.

“It’s definitely a new age of linebackers,” he said. “You’ve got to be able run and cover, especially in this defense. I’m super excited for it. Some times I have to line up against George Pickens, Scotty Miller, it’s a challenge. It’s just getting me better every day. Iron sharpens iron. If I can do it against these guys, I’m pretty sure I can do it against anyone.”

Perhaps like Porter, he’ll also see his role grow as his rookie season goes on. With Queen getting the day off on Saturday, Wilson was elevated to the starting roster. He’s also replaced Roberts in the Nickel package at times so far during camp.

The future is bright for the Steelers’ third-round rookie, but it appears that like Porter before him, he’s going to start out his rookie season playing Dime.

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