As the Pittsburgh Steelers continue preparations towards the 2025 regular season, all eyes are on the big name acquisitions that were made in the offseason. Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu Smith, and Darius Slay to name a few will all make their Steelers debut in the coming weeks. Even the rookies from this past April's NFL Draft will bring some anticipation to Pittsburgh. Oregon's Derrick Harmon and Iowa's Kaleb Johnson are expected to make impacts right away. Aside from the new faces in town, there is one group that Steelers fans should be very excited to watch in 2025.
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Steelers middle linebacker Payton Wilson during an away game against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Steelers have an impressive class of second year players heading into the 2025 season, with their 2024 NFL Draft Class already turning out as one of the best in recent history. Out of the seven players Pittsburgh drafted in 2024, three of them became weekly starters, while two other potential starters battled injuries.
Michigan's Roman Wilson only played five snaps in 2024 while dealing with ankle and hamstring injuries. Pittsburgh's first-round pick, Troy Fautanu from Washington, suffered a season-ending injury in just the second game of the season. West Virginia's Zach Frazier is already in the conversation of one of the best centers in the NFL and South Dakota State's Mason McCormick started 14 games in relief of the injured James Daniels in 2024. Most notably, North Carolina State's Payton Wilson made his presence known on the Steelers defense, playing in all 17 games and finishing fourth on the team in total tackles. Wilson has quickly turned into a fan favorite. The 2023 ACC Defensive Player of the Year displayed his hustle and tenacity during his rookie season. However, if you were to ask Wilson about his rookie year, you might not get the same answer. Wilson discussed his first year in the league in a recent conversation with Mike DeFabo from The Athletic.
“I feel like last year, I was a little bit of a shell of myself, just trying to learn everything and hit it on the run,” Wilson said.
Wilson was forced to learn the Steelers' defense on the fly, with Patrick Queen and Elandon Roberts leading the way at the linebacker positions. Now that Roberts is with the Las Vegas Raiders, Wilson steps into a larger role. While being more of a nickel and coverage linebacker in 2024, Wilson now potentially becomes an every down player.
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Steelers' Payton Wilson runs for a touchdown after the defense caused a turnover against the Bengals in Week 13.
With an expanded role comes an expanded playbook. Wilson has had a longer offseason this time around, and more time to build that chemistry with Queen and the rest of the Steelers' defense, which should only build his level of comfort.
"At the beginning, you’re more so worried about not messing up than making the big play," said Wilson. "When you know the playbook, you don’t have to think about it. You can just rely on instincts and play fast."
Playing fast is something Wilson has become known for. Wilson ran a 4.43 second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in 2024, and he was even clocked at 23.7 mph while chasing down a ballcarrier during his senior season at NC State.
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Steelers' Payton Wilson getting ready to make a play.
Wilson displayed that speed throughout his rookie season. His potential is easily noticed, just by turning on his tape.
Steelers' Payton Wilson Says He's One Of The Best In The League
Fans can expect a breakout season from Wilson in 2025. The Steelers' defense will face high expectations as we inch near Week 1, and a lot of those expectations fall on the shoulders of Wilson and Queen. However, where there are expectations, there will be confidence.
"I feel like I’m one of the best cover linebackers in the world, to be honest with you," Wilson told the media earlier this offseason.
Wilson and the Steelers' defense will get the opportunity to prove how talented they are on September 7th when they travel to East Rutherford, New Jersey to face the New York Jets.
How do you think Wilson will play this season? Be sure to comment below!
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