Dallas Cowboys Draft Target: Will LB Payton Wilson Fall to Round 2?

Will the Dallas Cowboys draft a linebacker in the early rounds of this year's NFL Draft? If so, NC State's Payton Wilson may be their best bet.

Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson (LB30) works out / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

As the Dallas Cowboys dance around the questions – and decisions – that could make or break the upcoming season, they’ll have the opportunity to add talent in the NFL Draft.

Holding the 24th pick, there are several directions in which the Cowboys can go. Offensive tackles lead the way as the most frequently mocked selections for America’s Team, but dynamic playmakers along the boundary can be fruitful and the defense isn’t a finished product.

After linebacker Leighton Vander Esch retired early in the offseason, the hype for some of the class’ top linebackers to head to Frisco increased. Chief among them may be North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson. 

Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson (LB30) works out / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

While a linebacker in the first round – especially in this year’s class – is suboptimal, presumed interest from the Cowboys is to be expected.

Wilson is an elite athlete, boasting a 4.43-second 40-yard dash and the acceleration to match. It translates to both coverage and pursuit and fits well with the way the league is transitioning, opting for uber-athletic receiving tight ends and versatile running backs. 

His athletic gifts elevate his floor in man coverage, but he’s even better in zone where his processing makes even more of an impact. 

However, Dallas is likely better off taking the risk in hoping he falls to the No. 56. Wilson’s medical history is extensive, and perhaps more worrisome is a shoulder injury that could give teams pause. He’s inevitably going to be involved in tons of collisions, and it’s worth wondering if it will hold up – especially given his struggles to stay healthy.

According to Bryan Broaddus, Wilson will be one of the team’s official-30 visits, a potential signifier of their interest. Other linebackers Dallas included in its official-30s are Texas A&M’s Edgerrin Cooper, Temple’s Jordan Magee, and Kentucky’s Trevin Wallace.

Each of those would be surprises to go in the first round, though it seems Wilson’s strong 2023 campaign and elite athleticism would give him the best shot of the bunch.

The Dallas faithful are right to be concerned with the second level of the defense, and an Eric Kendricks signing likely won’t be enough to patch up said deficiencies. Wilson would be helpful in adding legitimate talent to a linebacking corps in need of it, but Round 1 still feels like a stretch, even after a strong pre-draft circuit.