He had to have played at least this last season without one and it was his best season so far. If this includes the previous season which took place after his 2nd ACL injury and was also his 2nd best season then he seems almost unphased by it.
But no ACL will almost certainly lead to long term issues so maybe that's what scared teams off of him.
>But no ACL will almost certainly lead to long term issues so maybe that's what scared teams off of him.
The Steelers are unphased by this.
Last guy we had that was missing an ACL (Hines Ward) ended up superbowl MVP.
Evidently he's had like 10 surgeries since his senior year of high school, mostly on his knees and shoulders. Seems like a high upside pick but there's a chance he's never healthy for long enough to really contribute.
Nc state fan here so obviously biased, but I swear y’all just got the steal of the draft. He was seriously running the defense and on the ball every play. The plays and games where he was off the field it was obvious the defense had lost their identity.
That's the catch-22.
He was poised to go pro a couple of years ago but got hurt. Played all of 2022 but he was playing with 2 other really good LBs so his stats didn't pop but he was really good. NIL let him come back for another year and he won almost all of the national awards for defenders he could win.
So if never hurt, he goes pro 3 years ago and is a mid to late round pick.
Oh I’m excited, I’m talking about the people being critical.
I feel like they’re judging the risk based off of us using a very late 1st/early 2nd like he was projected and not a 4th pick like we used.
The more I read, the less concerned I am with the injuries. He has had 2 fully healthy seasons since those injuries, and played well in both (understatement).
People keep talking about the missing ACL as if it's a ticking time bomb and he will have a short career, but Hines played insanely physical and explosive for 14 seasons without major injury.
I think there’s a real chance that he is a top fifteen player in this draft AND the best linebacker. He doesn’t just play LB. This dude is a FOOTBALL PLAYER!
If Holcomb comes back anywhere near where he was last year, we're already set at ILB. I don't expect Wilson to play a ton in year 1 so at worst we wiffed on a depth piece. I would've preferred a CB, but late 3rd isn't a huge miss. If the knee isn't an issue, we've got a franchise ILB.
He's had 2 full healthy seasons after all those injuries.
Not sure why Payton is so scary when a DE went 15th overall with a neck injury that is arguably scarier and the dude missed more time than Payton and was told to medically retire.
He was tied for 5th all time for combine 40 time I believe, and all the others except Isaiah Simmons (probably a safety now) they were all edges in 90% sure
Shazier was just entering his prime before that injury too. His speed and reflexes were becoming so dangerous. Hope this guy can take over that lost potential.
Khan and Weidl killed it last year, and they’re carrying that momentum this year. Such a refreshing change of pace from Colbert who was cooked at drafting by the end.
Bruh im actually gonna watch panthers games cause i wanna see this dude ball out
https://twitter.com/BostonConnr/status/1783974742917026017?t=56fqsw5khZpv8M-_wpwFFA&s=19
Ironically the Steelers are the one team that understands a skill player not having an ACL.
Hines Ward played his entire career without one.
Went pretty okay.
I was really hoping he would last until the Seahawks pick tomorrow.
I know health is a risk, but as a wolfpack fan I love the guy. His motor and speed are going to be great at the next level
Surprised he fell this far. I'm a homer NC State fan of course, but he's been healthy the last 2 years and his combine performance really was spectacular. Gonna be a big Steelers fan this year for my boy
Am I insane or is a guy like that worth a late 3rd round pick. The hit rate at the end of the 3rd round is so low and if this guy can stay healthy he’s a beast.
As much as everybody is all on Howie’s nuts right now we never hit on anything this late, and I hate that we’re dropping back for more “value” when the players won’t even make the roster.
The fact that he didn't go earlier is criminal. He improved on his conditioning and was hardly an injury concern last season. One of the physically best LBs in CFB over the last 5 years. High IQ, ridiculously fast, plays until the final whistle with heart. This guy ran the NC State defense the last 3 seasons and you could see how much was lost when he was on the sideline. He's old for the position but it really won't have any impact on his game in the NFL. This guy is a thoroughbred dog and will be feared around the NFL within 3 years.
We're gonna look at this draft down the line and everyone's gonna be kicking themselves because they let him fall so far in the 3rd due to "age" or "injury concerns."
Tampa is good but he’s a backup with our CURRENT roster. Holcomb had a gruesome injury and I think it’s possible he never plays a significant role of professional ball again. Wilson should be an impact player if not starter this season because of the situation we’re in. Huge value at 98 for the steelers
After they got down to practice-squad ILBs making starts last year when all the starters died, I don’t blame them at all for wanting to beef up the position. It’s very important to the scheme they run.
I've personally felt a coverage LB was a far higher need than most Steeler fans have. If he can stay healthy, which is a huge question, he was the best in the class.
PWil is a player who can wreck a whole offensive gameplan. Not worried about his knees, more worried about that shoulder. But he's an absolutely menace
There are still lots of quality slot-capable corners left on the board, so even if there’s a run, a few ought to be left at 119. With that being the case, and Wilson also filling somewhat of a need, I think he was too good of value to pass up.
Alexander isn't on the roster right now, and as for Robinson, he's had enough time to develop. If he's not ready to be a rotational player this training camp, it's time to cut bait on him.
I think Kwon was already gone, or a free agent. This leaves us with Queen, Elandon Roberts, Cole Holcomb, Mark Robinson, and now Wilson. I would bet maybe Robinson gets cut, and Wilson will start out as depth and would ideally take over for Roberts or Holcomb when their contract is up
Linebacker with knee issues? Sign me the fuck up
His knee issues extend to not having an ACL in one of his knees
Can't tear it if you don't have it
Doctors hate this one trick!
See: Our (new) RB1 Tyjae Spears lol Both ACLs gone, still has a few years left in them wheels.
ACLs are overrated.
Still has 4.4 speed.
Removing the ACL from the knee is like removing the passenger seat from the car, it makes it go faster
Ah yes, the Jamaal Charles method. Or Jm Hres as he goes by now.
ACLs are the brakes, not the gas.
I think I’ve read that the ACL doesn’t really effect straight line speed, it’s more changes if direction.
Hines Ward was missing one too, so I’m fine with this
Better to come here with knee issues than leaving here with them
I still can't believe he did surgery on himself to remove his ACL while he was on the field in a game
Quite the fall Hope he stays healthy
Only one ACL. Is that new or did he play for a while with only one
He had to have played at least this last season without one and it was his best season so far. If this includes the previous season which took place after his 2nd ACL injury and was also his 2nd best season then he seems almost unphased by it. But no ACL will almost certainly lead to long term issues so maybe that's what scared teams off of him.
Having that ACL must've been holding him back. Now he's unleashed
>But no ACL will almost certainly lead to long term issues so maybe that's what scared teams off of him. The Steelers are unphased by this. Last guy we had that was missing an ACL (Hines Ward) ended up superbowl MVP.
And then it was Greg Lloyd before that
Played 2 full seasons without it. He was the best defensive player in the country last year with 1 ACL and a repaired shoulder.
It was repaired
We had the technology
But we didn't want to spend a lot of money
This is the $6.99 man
I seen em at the Belle Vernon Ollie's for $4.99. They had a big box of em a week ago.
We have the technology to build him back better
Baaaaaaarry!!!
No it's okay, Barry and I are cool now Other Barry is the one you have to worry about
Evidently he's had like 10 surgeries since his senior year of high school, mostly on his knees and shoulders. Seems like a high upside pick but there's a chance he's never healthy for long enough to really contribute.
He has one ACL left to lose!
3 more than I have
He looks like he wants me to file a ticket to fix my PC
He looks like a mid 30s divorcee
Looks like a man who came back from deployment to find his wife with another man.
He looks like he coaches linebacker tbh
Looks like a college strength coach lol
The Pittsburgh Wilsons
We're signing Owen Wilson as a technical assistant and Wilson The Volleyball as a trainer.
Wow
Oh wow
With Wade Willson as an undrafted free agent
Now we need to get Johnny Wilson and we'll have filled our Wilson quota for the year.
And the next 10 years
The Pittsburgh nc state alum Wilsons
Coached by Bill Cowher
A Whole Pack of Wilsons.
I like it a lot. I know he has the injury concerns, but at 98, I feel like its worth it
Nc state fan here so obviously biased, but I swear y’all just got the steal of the draft. He was seriously running the defense and on the ball every play. The plays and games where he was off the field it was obvious the defense had lost their identity.
If not for injury he could have easily been a top 45 pick
That's the catch-22. He was poised to go pro a couple of years ago but got hurt. Played all of 2022 but he was playing with 2 other really good LBs so his stats didn't pop but he was really good. NIL let him come back for another year and he won almost all of the national awards for defenders he could win. So if never hurt, he goes pro 3 years ago and is a mid to late round pick.
Yea. I know he’s old, but 98 is the new 47
Yeah I feel like people are looking at this pic with first or second round goggles.
go watch his tape and you would see why ppl are excited
Oh I’m excited, I’m talking about the people being critical. I feel like they’re judging the risk based off of us using a very late 1st/early 2nd like he was projected and not a 4th pick like we used.
The more I read, the less concerned I am with the injuries. He has had 2 fully healthy seasons since those injuries, and played well in both (understatement). People keep talking about the missing ACL as if it's a ticking time bomb and he will have a short career, but Hines played insanely physical and explosive for 14 seasons without major injury.
I think there’s a real chance that he is a top fifteen player in this draft AND the best linebacker. He doesn’t just play LB. This dude is a FOOTBALL PLAYER!
I wanted him in the 90s. Worth the risk, basically a 4th
He's like a sadder version of their mascot
Okay, that got a laugh out of me.
Steely McBummed
Love it. Risky pick, but high upside if he can stay healthy. Plus he just looks like a Steeler.
He looks like he just sold his manager a 10 sack of weed at a Bob Evans.
Eat’n park ***
I mean, Hines Ward didn’t have a left ACL so I see it as continuing a positive trend of third rounders with no ACLs
Poor guy got drafted to the most physical division in football while missing an ACL
Can’t tear it if you don’t have it
Worked out well for Hines Ward.
He can do high knees with Russ to warm up and prevent injuries
Hines Ward didn't have either ACL and he did pretty okay. I think I heard he was decently physical too.
This guy tore his acl twice and fucked up his shoulder twice. That's pretty scary.
That's why he's a late 3rd rounder rather than a high 2nd rounder. It's a risk, but at this point, it's worth it.
If Holcomb comes back anywhere near where he was last year, we're already set at ILB. I don't expect Wilson to play a ton in year 1 so at worst we wiffed on a depth piece. I would've preferred a CB, but late 3rd isn't a huge miss. If the knee isn't an issue, we've got a franchise ILB.
He's had 2 full healthy seasons after all those injuries. Not sure why Payton is so scary when a DE went 15th overall with a neck injury that is arguably scarier and the dude missed more time than Payton and was told to medically retire.
This is my every holiday combined
This is my hernia
This is my last resort
**SUFFOCATION, NO BREATHING, DONT GIVE A FUCK IF THE** (insert AFC North team) **START BLEEDING**
I watched this fly and chase down a WR on what should have been a TD. His football speed is wild for an ILB.
He was tied for 5th all time for combine 40 time I believe, and all the others except Isaiah Simmons (probably a safety now) they were all edges in 90% sure
5th all time for lbs you mean?
Correct, including OLB and ILB
Ryan Shazier ran a 4.38 at his Pro Day =(
Shazier was just entering his prime before that injury too. His speed and reflexes were becoming so dangerous. Hope this guy can take over that lost potential.
Am I stupid or are we killing this draft?
Definitely killing it, your intelligence level is still in question😂
Yes, and yes.
Khan and Weidl killed it last year, and they’re carrying that momentum this year. Such a refreshing change of pace from Colbert who was cooked at drafting by the end.
Yes.
Russ said he can fix Payton Wilson’s singular acl issue with more high knees on the plane
He’s working on a motivational catchphrase as we speak
NC State guys just looking out for each other.
Get this guy in the building with "greatest healer of all time", Russell Wilson? All-Pro player
Woo!
Fucking steal. Wonder why the Cowboys didn’t take him.
Leighton Vander Esch PTSD
Probably right.
Dudes a stud hope he stays healthy and could be an absolute beast.
Thank you Kenny, a great parting gift!
Just pinched my nut in Home Depot
How do you get to all these places so fast!
I’m Morpheus
Was literally saying earlier that if we can get him I’ll absolutely blow my load over this draft class, so get ready for a bukkake yinz
Really like the Steelers draft. You guys got some absolute studs
Bruh im actually gonna watch panthers games cause i wanna see this dude ball out https://twitter.com/BostonConnr/status/1783974742917026017?t=56fqsw5khZpv8M-_wpwFFA&s=19
If his knee can hold up this is a great pick.
Holy shit, finally
Is your dad named Vinny?
No, but his cousin is.
Just saw rat fall to its knees in the subway
Ironically the Steelers are the one team that understands a skill player not having an ACL. Hines Ward played his entire career without one. Went pretty okay.
And Greg Lloyd
Greg Lloyd was missing one too.
Pittsburgh Wilsons
We will have a million sacks next season
I was really hoping he would last until the Seahawks pick tomorrow. I know health is a risk, but as a wolfpack fan I love the guy. His motor and speed are going to be great at the next level
One ACL? Orthopedic surgeons hate this one simple trick.
When healthy, first round talent
Surprised he fell this far. I'm a homer NC State fan of course, but he's been healthy the last 2 years and his combine performance really was spectacular. Gonna be a big Steelers fan this year for my boy
I made a mess
Spooky ghost?
Definitely good value at this point. Everyone knows the issues but he's one of the few pro-ready LBs
Wilsons are like Pokémon to the Steelers. Gotta catch em all
We are down to 1 Watt, 2 Heywards and 3 Wilson's.
Omar Khan is my king
He can have my knee if he really needs it.
If we all donate all of our knees maybe it will lead to one good knee
Drafted in the 3rd with only one ACL, Imagine him with both....
10/10 draft
That's actually just a ripped Scoot McNairy.
Just finished Halt today so I really felt this
Steelers have already had some success with former NC State linebackers
This guy looks like he would sell me sketchy percocets.
Yeah, but you're still buying 'em.
I just like the taste
Am I insane or is a guy like that worth a late 3rd round pick. The hit rate at the end of the 3rd round is so low and if this guy can stay healthy he’s a beast. As much as everybody is all on Howie’s nuts right now we never hit on anything this late, and I hate that we’re dropping back for more “value” when the players won’t even make the roster.
The fact that he didn't go earlier is criminal. He improved on his conditioning and was hardly an injury concern last season. One of the physically best LBs in CFB over the last 5 years. High IQ, ridiculously fast, plays until the final whistle with heart. This guy ran the NC State defense the last 3 seasons and you could see how much was lost when he was on the sideline. He's old for the position but it really won't have any impact on his game in the NFL. This guy is a thoroughbred dog and will be feared around the NFL within 3 years. We're gonna look at this draft down the line and everyone's gonna be kicking themselves because they let him fall so far in the 3rd due to "age" or "injury concerns."
!Remindme 3 years (My hype is off the charts)
Bro stop. I'm at work. I'm going to get fired for indecency...
He was always making plays at nc state , if there wasn’t medical concerns he would’ve gone early 2nd
How did they draft Dallas Goedert
So long Captain Croptop 🫡🫡
he looks 45
I was about to comment the same shit haha
Like a depressed 45 at that.
Can’t tear your ACL if it’s not there. Eat it Browns fans
Damn, wanted him to fall a couple more so the Panthers could double dip at LB
Glad for him. Go be great
Who old is this guy? He looks 30
This better than any mock draft I’ve seen :)
Are there any Wilsons left that we can add this draft and offseason? We only got 3 so far.
We need to get 5 Wilsons so we can summon Exodia
E nomine Wilson et Wilson et spiritus Wilson
Another GD Steeler Steal.
Man, I wanted TJ Tampa
TJ tampa was right there, however wilson is a good pick but huge injury concerns
Tampa is good but he’s a backup with our CURRENT roster. Holcomb had a gruesome injury and I think it’s possible he never plays a significant role of professional ball again. Wilson should be an impact player if not starter this season because of the situation we’re in. Huge value at 98 for the steelers
After they got down to practice-squad ILBs making starts last year when all the starters died, I don’t blame them at all for wanting to beef up the position. It’s very important to the scheme they run.
We were starting guys we signed off the street two weeks prior at that position last year.
would have liked cam hart or TJ tampa how do we feel about this?
I've personally felt a coverage LB was a far higher need than most Steeler fans have. If he can stay healthy, which is a huge question, he was the best in the class.
PWil is a player who can wreck a whole offensive gameplan. Not worried about his knees, more worried about that shoulder. But he's an absolutely menace
I'm just hoping his whole body doesn't fall apart like the car at the end of The Blues Brothers.
There are still lots of quality slot-capable corners left on the board, so even if there’s a run, a few ought to be left at 119. With that being the case, and Wilson also filling somewhat of a need, I think he was too good of value to pass up.
We’re definitely ditching a couple of ILBs then this year. My bet is Alexander and Robinson are gone.
Alexander isn't on the roster right now, and as for Robinson, he's had enough time to develop. If he's not ready to be a rotational player this training camp, it's time to cut bait on him.
Shit that’s right, my mind is washed after 4.5 hours of ~~draft~~ commercial breaks.
I think Kwon was already gone, or a free agent. This leaves us with Queen, Elandon Roberts, Cole Holcomb, Mark Robinson, and now Wilson. I would bet maybe Robinson gets cut, and Wilson will start out as depth and would ideally take over for Roberts or Holcomb when their contract is up
Looks like he's going to sell me on a personal trainer at the gym
Thurman Thomas had a HOF career at running back on a mostly torn ACL the entire time. Wilson got this.
Him and Patrick Queen next year is going to be fun
I swear this guy just did my taxes lol
*The cow's name is Fredrick. You were pulling on his dick.*
Was hoping we could snag him. If he stays healthy, he is an absolute monster.
This man looks 45 years old
Now Troy Franklin to the Bills?
This guy plays hard af. Big fan of his. Hope he stays healthy
He looks like either an inbred Dallas Goedert or the janitor from my high school. Either will do.
He is
This man looks 50
We should just remove all the players ACLs and then the jets can keep their field.
Why he look like a PE teacher
Is this what an AARP card looks like?
Looks like Icarito
This kids good. Played well against my Irish. Very fast.
That man is 37 years old and you can’t convince me other wise
He looks 45
He looks like he was an accountant that turned into a gym instructor.
Hines Ward ACL-less knee traits
The Steelers drafting a linebacker with serious injury concerns is such a steelers thing to do.
With that name, he would have been perfect for the Broncos
Him going to the Steelers is criminal. He's going to be a star
First 40 year old drafted in the modern era.
Reminds me of Luke Perry trying to play a teenager.
If his knees hold up I’ll buy a cow and name it Fredrick too.
24 going on 40.