Mack Wilson
#1 Inside Linebacker by Football Addicts
Born: February 14th, 1997 (21 years old)
Height: 6’2
Weight: 240 Lbs
Position: Inside Linebacker
University: Alabama
About Mack
Alabama is back at it again producing one of the NFL Drafts best linebackers, this one goes by Mack Wilson. In 2016 Wilson was a 5 star recruit and looked at as one of the best high school players in the state of Alabama. Teams like Clemson, Florida State, and Auburn were all calling Wilson’s name, but of course he had to commit to Bama. He would eventually sit behind future NFL stars like Reuben Foster and Rashaan Evans before becoming the main man in 2018. He finished 2018 with 71 tackles, 4.5 for a loss, and 1 sack while rotating with all the others in the Alabama system. He earned 2nd Team All SEC honors in 2018, and was a semi-finalist for the Butkus award. Though his career was young in Tuscaloosa, I believe Wilson’s real path has just emerged.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
Mack Wilson is fast, twitchy and a hard hitter. Wilson brings an aggressive play at the linebacker position that I, genuinely enjoy watching. He loves to hit and will chase the ball carrier down to just get a small lick in. Wilson shows a great ability to shed through blocks, and keep his eye towards the ball carrier. His most important strength is his ability in coverage, where his speed really helps him pass cover.
Weaknesses
I love an aggressive linebacker, but sometimes he can be caught over pursuing his target and shank a tackle. Throughout watching his film I see him make the wrong guess on a gap, or lose his defender, and other small mental lapses. Some question his weight at the position, though I believe he isn’t that small.
NFL Draft Projection/NFL Comp
NFL Draft Projection
Mack Wilson is a Top 10 talent, and I believe he would fit perfectly with the team selecting 10th overall. Denver has set up its defense with great young pieces in the secondary, defensive line, and they have players like Von Miller and Chris Harris Jr providing leadership in the locker room. Plug in a raw talent like Wilson, and the Broncos could have their replacement for Brandon Marshall.
NFL Comparison
Mack Wilson blazes across my screen whenever I watch his tape, and it brings me flashbacks of Ryan Shazier. He is Ryan Shazier without the football I.Q yet. Wilson is still raw, but shows flashes that he can be a field general at the next level. Once NFL coaches get their hands on his potential, I believe he can become just as good as Shazier due to his elite coverage skills.