The Green Bay Packers dipped into the practice squad of the New Orleans Saints to sign linebacker Eric Wilson, one of the NFL’s best special teamers between the 2017 and 2020 seasons.
Wilson, who has 26 career special teams tackles, joins cornerback Keisean Nixon and safeties Dallin Leavitt and Rudy Ford as additions to the 2022 roster done specifically (or mostly) for special teams. General manager Brian Gutekunst continues to fortify the third phase personnel for coordinator Rich Bisaccia.
Wilson, who will factor in as the team’s fourth inside linebacker, could be an immediate contributor.
Wilson’s special teams grades by year between 2017-20, per PFF:
2017: 90.2 (3rd best in NFL)
2018: 78.9
2019: 77.5
2020: 90.0 (9th best)
Wilson, an undrafted free agent out of Cincinnati, has played 1,112 special teams snaps over his five NFL seasons.
PFF has Wilson down for 19 tackles, eight assisted tackles, four penalties and seven missed tackles on special teams.
One thing going for Wilson: he’s an elite athlete with a perfect body type for chasing down returners on punts and kicks. While a little undersized for an every-down linebacker (6-1, 230), Wilson has 4.5 speed, explosive lower body power (39.5″ vertical, 10-1 broad) and quick feet (6.96-second three-cone). At linebacker, Wilson has a Relative Athletic Score of 9.48 out of 10.0.
Not only do the Packers need the depth at linebacker with Krys Barnes on injured reserve, but Bisaccia and Matt LaFleur might want a linebacker like Wilson to be a core special teamer. Inside linebackers are generally coveted for coverage responsibilities due to tackling ability and general athleticism.
