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

Sophomore year breakout

NFL fans are frequently infatuated with the rookies. And that makes sense, as there’s nothing quite like a first-year player bursting onto the scene and taking the league by storm. Many smart NFL people often state that year three is the year that many players really put it all together. But sometimes, whether through offseason development or opportunity, a player breaks out in his second or sophomore year. Logan Wilson looks to be one of those players.

Through four weeks, Logan Wilson is tied for 6th in the NFL in total tackles with 40. He’s also 2nd in the NFL in interceptions with three. Wilson’s also recorded three passes defended and a sack. The Cincinnati Bengals’ defense is performing much better this year than they did last year, albeit in a small sample.

Last year Cincinnati gave up the 7th-most total yards in the NFL. This year through 4 games they’re allowing the 7th-fewest yards. They gave up the 11th-most points per game last year, and this year they’re giving up the 8th-fewest.

The most telling stat of all though is yards per play. In 2020, the Bengals allowed a whopping 6.1 yards per play, good for 6th-worst in the league. This year, they’ve improved that number by more than a yard to 4.8 yards per play. That’s tied for the 4th-best figure in the league.

Logan Wilson played in 12 games last season for the Bengals, but he only started two. He’s started all four games this year, and the early results have been staggering.

Coming out of the draft many scouts were enamored with Logan Wilson due to his ability to cover. He played some wide receiver in high school and was even listed as a safety during his redshirt freshman year at Wyoming.

With teams passing more and more, linebackers that can run with receivers and ably play zone coverage are in high demand. Wilson’s ability to rally to the ball is one of his best skills and in interviews, he’s stated that he believes good things happen to those that run to the ball.

Logan Wilson has more to his game than just coverage skills though. He’s a smart player that can quickly read defenses and get downhill in a hurry to attack the ball carrier in the running game. When making stops, Wilson is a sure tackler that displays outstanding body control. You won’t see him miss many tackles. But he can also bring some oomph to his hits, as he’s a physical player by nature that frequently lays the wood to opposing players.

Whether it’s bringing down the ball carrier or securing the ball for a takeaway, Logan Wilson has been making his presence felt on defense with consistency. And if the first 4 games of 2021 are any indication, he’ll continue to do that throughout the year.