ScoutIndex

PIT PIT

Payton Wilson

LB

Drafted 98th overall in the 3rd round of the 2024 draft, Payton Wilson arrived from N.C. State. Now with PIT, he's in his 3rd NFL season. His 58.9 ScoutIndex Rating last season ranked in the 74th percentile among DEFs — solidly above average.

Size

6'4", 242#

College

N.C. State

Draft

Rd 3, 98th overall (2024)

Seasons

2024–2026

2026 ScoutIndex Rating · DEF

Methodology
76.9

94th percentile among DEFs

6 games

Splash plays×0.15-0.34
Pass rush×0.3+1.35
Ball skills×0.25+0.17
Run defense×0.2+2.92
Availability×0.1+1.07

Career (regular season)

SeasonTmSIGPass ydsPass TDRush ydsRush TDRecRec ydsRec TD
2026PIT76.96
2025PIT58.917
2024PIT51.816

Career profile

Across 3 NFL seasons on file, Payton Wilson has played in 39 regular-season games, all with PIT.

By the ScoutIndex Rating, his best qualified season was 2025: a 58.9, in the 74th percentile among DEFs that year.

2026 splits

regular season

2026 game log

WkOppLineScore
Week 1ATL—77.1
Week 2NE—59.6
Week 3CIN—49.1
Week 4CLE—79.3
Week 5IND—83.1
Week 6TB—43.4

Payton Wilson — common questions

What position does Payton Wilson play?
Payton Wilson is listed as an LB.
Which teams has Payton Wilson played for?
In the seasons on file (1999 onward), Payton Wilson has played for PIT (2024–2026).
Where did Payton Wilson go to college?
Payton Wilson played college football at N.C. State.
When was Payton Wilson drafted?
Payton Wilson was selected in round 3, 98th overall, of the 2024 NFL Draft.
How many touchdowns has Payton Wilson scored?
Payton Wilson has no rushing, receiving or passing touchdowns in the regular-season games on file.
What is Payton Wilson's ScoutIndex Rating?
Payton Wilson rated 76.9 for 2026, the 94th percentile among DEFs (provisional or limited sample). Ratings run 0–99; about 60 is a league-average qualified starter.

Related players

Top teammates, last season on file

Drafted in round 3, 2024

Also from N.C. State