Like 2023, the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers draft class is being asked to make an immediate contribution. Even with first-round pick OT Troy Fautanu out for the regular season, the names behind him have played a role in the team’s 6-2 start. Third-round linebacker Payton Wilson is receiving special recognition, named to the CBS Sports ‘All-Rookie Midseason Team’ following a solid start to his NFL career.
Author Chris Trapasso explains why Wilson gets the nod.
“Wilson feels like the next great Steelers linebacker. That was the conventional wisdom after the draft, and he’s played encouragingly at the midway point of the season with 39 tackles and a tackle for loss. He’s gotten home on two of his 12 blitzing opportunities too and helped the Steelers’ second level contain outside runs next to Patrick Queen.”
Wilson has been a fixture of the Steelers’ defense since Week 1, primarily playing in nickel packages. With maturity and work ethic meeting rare athleticism, he’s made plays in space. Wilson has shown excellent sideline-to-sideline range and pursuit with the hit power to finish plays. He’s also made an impact on special teams, particularly the kick-coverage unit.
As Trapasso notes, he’s been used more often as a blitzer in recent weeks. According to our charting, Wilson blitzed four times the first five weeks of the season. Over the last three weeks, he’s blitzed six times and recorded one pressure over that span on an old-school Fire X blitz with Patrick Queen.
Despite not having an every-down role, Payton Wilson is tied for fourth on the team with 39 tackles. Only SS DeShon Elliott, LB Patrick Queen, and FS Minkah Fitzpatrick, all-situation players, have more.
Where Wilson must get better is between the tackles. Taking on and getting off run blocks. Using his hands more effectively to shed. An area of concern at NC State that’s carried over to his first NFL season.
Curiously, center Zach Frazier doesn’t appear on the all-rookie list. Instead, Indianapolis Colts center Tanor Bortolini was the first-team selection. Some could be quick to point to Frazier’s missed playing time, the second-round pick held out the last two games with an ankle injury, but Bortolini has only started two games this season. Frazier still out-snaps him 378-160.
One of Bortolini’s starts came against the Steelers and he held his own but it’s still a surprising decision given how much more Frazier has played and how effective he has been.
Other notable rookies on this list are Jayden Daniels at quarterback, Byron Murphy at defensive tackle, and Quinyon Mitchell at cornerback.
