Saints’ Eric Wilson is clawing his way up to a roster spot in 2022
By Kristen Wong
The New Orleans Saints linebacker room is squaring up to be one of the most competitive units on the team, but don’t count out Eric Wilson out just yet.
After Kwon Alexander left, Demario Davis and Pete Werner stand as the projected starters with Kaden Eliss or Zack Baun taking the SAM linebacker role.
NOLA recently signed free agent Jon Bostic to earn a potential reserve position, yet it’s another free agent signing who’s been quietly making his presence felt in Saints camp.
Former Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson joined the Saints back in May and brings a wealth of defensive and special teams experience.
The sixth-year vet recorded his most productive campaigns at the start of his career in Minnesota but slowly tapered off, and he enters NOLA hoping to revive his career.
Saints fans don't know Eric Wilson yet, but they will. He was awesome in college at Cincinatti, worked his way up the Vikings D as a UDFA (became a 120+ TKL player, nearly led their defense) at 26 y.o. He's only 27, had 1 off year and people forgot ab him. Similar for Bostic.
— ScoutWithoutClout (@manofGod8888) August 24, 2022
Saints are liking what they see from linebacker Eric Wilson in 2022
Wilson’s direct competition on the Saints is Bostic and Chase Hansen, and Hansen has also put together a fine preseason performance this year.
There could be room for the Saints to roster all three of those linebackers into 2022 depending on how much they value the position. Currently, Wilson and Hansen may have the edge over Bostic, who was the last to join the team.
Wilson has posted 278 tackles, eight sacks, four interceptions, nine passes defended, and two forced fumbles in his career along with solid specials teams production.
Given how tight the linebacker roster battle is in 2022, Wilson — nor any other backup player — isn’t guaranteed a roster spot.
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Based on Wilson’s last two preseason performances, though the Saints would have to come up with a very good reason to cut him.