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Steelers Round 3, Pick 98 Heartbreaking Story Before His NFL Breakthrough

Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson trending toward being one of the NFL's  top rookie defenders | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Some rookies arrive in the NFL carrying trophies, records, and five-star labels. Payton Wilson arrived carrying scars.

Born in 1999 in Hillsborough, North Carolina, Wilson grew up like any other small-town athlete — running track, playing football, chasing dreams. But the real story began in college at NC State, where his body seemed determined to betray him. He was born without an ACL in one knee. He endured more than ten surgeries on shoulders, knees, and beyond. He missed three entire college seasons, suiting up in just 22 out of a possible 60 games. By the time the NFL Draft came calling, doctors had labeled him a “medical red flag.”

He was supposed to be a first-rounder. Instead, he fell to Round 3, Pick 98, taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers — a franchise that knows what it means to gamble on toughness.

And Wilson has repaid that gamble in Black & Gold.

In his rookie year, despite being eased into the lineup, Wilson recorded 78 tackles, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, 2 recoveries (including a touchdown), and 2 pass breakups. He became one of only a handful of defensive rookies in the NFL to earn top-10 recognition from Sharp Football Analysis. His snap count was limited, but his impact was undeniable. He didn’t just play football — he played with a fury that made every down feel like defiance.

Media across the league took notice. ESPN called him one of the “steals of the 2024 draft.” The New York Times wrote of his “warrior’s mentality.” And The Athletic described his story as “one of the greatest comebacks in recent NFL history.”

When asked why he never quit after the injuries, Wilson’s answer was simple:
“Adversity is my normal. But quitting never was.”

Now, in 2025, Wilson isn’t just a linebacker fighting for snaps. He’s a symbol. A reminder to Steelers Nation — and to the league — that resilience can be as powerful as talent. Pittsburgh drafted a player. What they found was a warrior.

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Steelers Linked To Saints SuperStar With 5x Pro Bowl & 2x All-Pro in Blockbuster Trade
Pittsburgh, PA — According to a  circulating on X (Twitter), the Pittsburgh Steelers have been “linked” to Alvin Kamara—the New Orleans Saints superstar, five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro—as a potential target ahead of the trade deadline. The speculation has heated up as various outlets have also floated Kamara as a logical “fit” should the Steelers look to add a versatile, late-season playmaker on offense. At 30, Kamara is a rare dual-threat RB who excels as both a runner and receiver. He tied the NFL single-game record with six rushing touchdowns (Christmas Day 2020 vs. the Vikings), and he has recently been recognized as the Saints’ all-time leader in rushing yards. Across his career: 5× Pro Bowl, 2× Second-Team All-Pro, and a skill set that meshes with Pittsburgh’s motion/spacing concepts—screens, angle/choice routes, safe check-downs, and short play-action. Tactically, if a move ever materialized, Kamara would immediately put stress on short-to-intermediate coverages, force defenses to roll a safety, and give Pittsburgh intriguing two-back looks alongside Najee Harris on 3rd-and-medium and in the red zone. In this hypothetical scenario, Kamara voices a desire for a fresh challenge after hitting so many personal milestones in New Orleans: “I’ve achieved just about everything with the Saints, and I want a new challenge for myself. What could be better than a team competing directly for a Super Bowl? Just thinking about wearing Black and Gold really excites me.” As of now, there has been no official confirmation from the Steelers or the Saints regarding any talks. Still, Kamara’s résumé and toolbox explain why his name is quickly paired with Pittsburgh whenever rumors of an offensive upgrade surface. With 5× Pro Bowls, 2× All-Pro honors, and a proven knack for tilting games as both a runner and receiver, even a whisper on social media is enough to make Steelers Nation perk up.