Eric Wilson may not be the biggest name on the Packers’ special teams. That honor would go to Keisean Nixon. In fact, Wilson is so underappreciated on special teams that it was difficult to find a photo of him in a Packers uniform. In the above photo, Wilson can be seen in a Vikings uniform, tackling Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard. His NFL journey led him from the Vikings, where he once recorded over 120 total tackles in a season, to the Green Bay Packers where became an elite special teams player.
Eric Wilson Was the Highest Graded Special Teams Player in the NFL
As stated above, Keisean Nixon has become the darling of Packers special teams, and deservedly so. After all, he led the NFL in return yards despite not taking over the role until midseason. Furthermore, he had never returned kicks on a consistent basis at any level. However, it was Eric Wilson who was the highest grade special teams player, not only on the Packers, but in the NFL:
Keisean Nixon will get all the hype, but #Packers’ Eric Wilson finished the season as the highest graded special teamer in the entire NFL (91.7).
He led the Packers special teams in tackles despite not joining the roster until Week 5.
— Daire Carragher (@DaireCarragher) January 10, 2023
This season, Wilson recorded 17 total tackles. He also got 35 snaps on defense (just 4% of the team’s defensive plays), mostly against the Buffalo Bills. In that Bills game, he recorded a sack.
Eric Wilson Prior to the Packers
Before coming to the Green Bay Packers, Eric Wilson played for the Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, and Houston Texans. He spent four seasons with the Vikings, including 2020 when he had 120+ tackles, as mentioned previously. After the 2020 season, though, he split time between the Eagles and Texans.
Wilson signed with the New Orleans Saints this past offseason, but did not make their 53-man roster. Instead, they assigned him to their practice squad. The Packers picked him up prior to Week Five.
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