Philadelphia Eagles Prospect Profile: Linebacker Mack Wilson

As the 2019 NFL Draft inches closer, let’s take a look at Alabama linebacker Mack Wilson and project how he fits with the Philadelphia Eagles.

After watching Jordan Hicks head west to join the Arizona Cardinals in free agency this offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles are quite thin at linebacker; with Nigel Bradham as the team’s presumed weakside linebacker, Kamu Gruiger-Hill on the strongside with L.J. Fort in the middle.

However, other than Bradham, the team is dangerously lacking in the way of starting experience.  With that being said, the Eagles could very possibly be looking to draft a linebacker in this year’s draft.

A linebacker that’s projected to go in the second-to-third round that could peak the Eagles interest is Mack Wilson.

More from Philadelphia Eagles

• 4 Eagles on the Bubble Who Have Clinched Their 53-Man Roster Spots
• Best Pennsylvania Sportsbook Promos: Win $650 GUARANTEED Bonus PLUS $100 off NFL Sunday Ticket
• 3 Punters the Eagles Must Target to Replace Arryn Siposs
• Cowboys Trey Lance Trade Proves How Screwed They Are With Dak Prescott
• Devon Allen Took Britain Covey’s Job on Eagles

Standing 6-foot-1, 240 pounds, Wilson is a highly coveted linebacker out of Alabama that played in all 15 games on special teams as a true freshman while showing instant potential. He then stepped up his sophomore year  (even though he missed two games due to a foot injury) racking up 40 tackles and leading the team in interceptions with four. In the national championship game against Georgia, Wilson excelled in tackling with 12 on the night. Then in 2018 he piled up 71 tackles and snatched two passes for interceptions, wrapping up a solid NCAA career.

Even though Wilson looks very capable to be an NFL-ready player, scouts still have some worries.

While far from a consensus, some believe that Wilson has too much of a mechanical approach to the game and his lack of tackles for a loss with only seven in the past two seasons is a bit concerning. Scouts are also worried about his ability to read and get off blocks and aren’t confident that he can use his gut and play based off feel.

Still, Wilson has plenty of upside with his size being viewed as adequate to today’s NFL linebacker with added strength and toughness.

Although scouts are a little worried about his ability to read and shed blocks, they do find his handwork to be good, as he can punch and play off blocks. They also find his coverage skills to be favorsome and believe that he can keep up with tight ends and running backs at the next level; making him valuable defender against the pass

When watching some tape on Wilson, it’s impossible not to see his explosive speed and his hard-hitting style; making him a freight train when he gets a clear lane to a ball carrier.

The film also shows a goal-line receiving touchdown that Wilson caught during his small time at H-back for the Tide, showing off his versatility and athletic ability.

One play that really stood out is a goal-line stuff by Wilson versus Arkansas.  As the running back runs towards the front corner of the end-zone, Wilson takes a great angle and covers the needed ground in just enough time to lower his shoulder and just brick wall the back out-of-bounds and just short of the touchdown.

Simply put: Wilson could be a great fit with the Eagles as a do-it-all linebacker.

A three-down starter on defense who could also contribute on special teams, Mack Wilson is a prospect with a lot of potential wh could star alongside Nigel Bradham for years to come.