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NFL Sophomore Watch: Is Logan Wilson a future Pro Bowler?

By Andrew Fischer

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson (55) runs back an intercepted pass deep in Bears territory, setting up a touchdown drive, in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 2 game between the Chicago Bears and the Cincinnati Bengals at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. The Bears held on to a halftime lead for a 20-17 win over the Bengals.Cincinnati Bengals At Chicago Bears
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson (55) runs back an intercepted pass deep in Bears territory, setting up a touchdown drive, in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 2 game between the Chicago Bears and the Cincinnati Bengals at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. The Bears held on to a halftime lead for a 20-17 win over the Bengals.Cincinnati Bengals At Chicago Bears /
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Logan Wilson, NFL
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson (NFL). Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports /

Second-year linebacker Logan Wilson is the leader of the Bengals’ much-improved defense which has been key to their hot start.

The Cincinnati Bengals are tied for first place in the AFC North division at 3-1. Not many people had that before the season started. People thought that the offense would be explosive with Joe Burrow returning and the addition of All-American wide receiver Jamarr Chase. But instead of Joe Burrow, it’s another member of the Bengals’ 2020 NFL Draft class that has factored into their superb start. That would be linebacker Logan Wilson.

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In the 2020 NFL Draft, the Bengals demonstrated why having the first overall pick is such a distinct advantage: because they get the first pick in every round after that too. In addition to taking Joe Burrow first overall, they selected Clemson wide receiver Tee Higgins with the first pick of the second round and Wyoming linebacker Logan Wilson with the first pick of the third round. So, without making any trades, they had three of the first 65 picks in the 2020 NFL Draft. No wonder parity rules in the NFL.

A native of Casper, WY, Logan Wilson stayed local when selecting a college as he redshirted his freshman season and played 5 total years at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. From there, Wilson saw action in at least 11 games and made at least 94 tackles in every year he played. Over the course of his college career, he totaled 7 sacks, 34 tackles for loss, 10 interceptions, 5 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, and 2 defensive touchdowns. He even added 14 passes defended for good measure.

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The collegiate accolades came raining down on Wilson right away. In 2016 he was named the Mountain West Freshman of the Year. He made first-team All-Mountain West in 2019 and second-team All-Mountain West in 2017.

While Logan Wilson’s measurables (6’2” 241), combine scores (4.63 40-yard dash, 21 bench reps), and age (he was nearly 24 at the time of the draft) may have tempered expectations, his selection by the Bengals and second-year success shows that drafting and projecting for future potential can sometimes be less effective than just picking good, well-developed football players.

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