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NC State has earned the reputation QBU over the years because of it’s recent success at sending signal callers to the NFL. Currently the Wolfpack are one of three schools to have 4 quarterbacks on NFL 3-deeps, and one of only two schools (along with USC) to have two quarterbacks starting. This morning we take a look at the two starters, Philip Rivers and Russell Wilson, and see which one of them is projected to have the better fantasy football season. Rivers is entering his 13th season in the NFL (all with the Chargers) and Wilson is entering his 5th (all with the Seahawks).

In my fantasy football league on ESPN, Wilson finished the 2015 season ranked as the 3rd overall quarterback, and Rivers finished ranked 12th. ESPN projects Wilson to be the 3rd ranked quarterback again, and projects Rivers to finish 11th. Here is what ESPN says about each of them.

Wilson

The 2015 season was an odd experience for both Wilson and the Seattle offense. Through Week 10, Wilson had 10 TDs and seven interceptions and ranked just 17th among QBs in fantasy points. His best weekly finish was ninth. But over his final seven games, Wilson rang up 25 total TDs, threw one interception and trailed only Cam Newton in fantasy points. His worst weekly finish was seventh. Wilson’s accuracy couldn’t have been more impressive; he missed his intended target only 12.6 percent of the time, which was the league’s best mark. He also adds value on the ground, ranking among the top three QBs in rushing yards in each of his four seasons. After ranking third in fantasy points among QBs two years in a row, Wilson is as safe as it gets. (ESPN)

2015 Statistics: 329/483, 4,024 yards, 34 touchdowns, 8 interceptions 103 rushes, 553 yards, 1 touchdown, 322 fantasy points

2016 Projection: 299.4/476.3, 3,732 yards, 29.7 touchdowns, 10.2 interceptions, 95.6 rushes, 494.7 yards, 2.6 touchdowns, 306.8 fantasy points

Rivers

Rivers is coming off his seventh top-12 fantasy season in the past eight years, a feat that’s all the more impressive when you consider how injuries decimated the Chargers on both sides of the ball. In fact, during the season’s first nine weeks, Rivers posted five top-seven fantasy performances, and only Tom Brady had more points among QBs. Eventually, injuries to the likes of Keenan Allen, Melvin Gordon and Ladarius Green took too much of a toll, but Rivers still led the NFL in attempts and completions and trailed only Drew Brees in passing yards (4,792). Rivers’ accuracy remains as sharp as ever, and it shouldn’t take much luck for his supporting cast to be healthier in 2016. Combined, those factors make him a terrific–and underrated–target in the later rounds. (ESPN)

2015 Statistics: 438/662, 4,793 yards, 29 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, 17 rushes, 28 yards, 0 touchdowns, 277 fantasy points

2016 Projections: 404.3/616.3, 4,481 yards, 28.3 touchdowns, 15 interceptions, 23 rushes, 61.3 yards, 0.5 touchdowns, 267.8 fantasy points

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Matthew is Publisher and Co-Owner of Pack Insider. He is also the Lead Pastor of The Point Church in Cary, NC.

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Pack in the Pros

Mike Tomlin’s Thoughts on the Steelers Drafting NC State’s Payton Wilson

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6 days ago

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April 29, 2024

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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin was ecstatic that NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson was available for Pittsburgh to pick up with the 98th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

“We had to get comfortable with his medical and we brought him in on a pre draft visit. We allowed our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort. And so from that perspective, man, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

“Man, we’re really excited about Peyton. When we turn his tape on, we see him making all the type of plays you need linebackers to make. He’s a volume tackle player. He makes plays in the passing game from a coverage perspective via interception and pass breakup. He gets after the quarterback in the blitz game. He’s got a very well-rounded skillset. He’s a fluid mover. He can run. Had an opportunity to lay some real up close eyes on him down there in Mobile at the Senior Bowl, we’re thankful we had an opportunity to get him. He’s got all the hardware that comes with some of those things that I described being a Butkus Award winner and so forth. We had to get comfortable with his medical and we brought him in on a pre draft visit. We allowed Our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort. And so from that perspective, man, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

“I think you could characterize it as surprised. I mean, he is an award-winning linebacker, Butkus Award winner. Had an opportunity to get really familiar with him down in Mobile as well. But the linebackers themselves weren’t coming off the board at that juncture. So sometimes they make runs on positions at different times and it hadn’t been a lot of linebackers to that point. I think what he was number five or so.” (Link)

“We’re really excited about Payton. When we turn his tape on, we see him making all the types of plays you need linebackers to make. He’s a volume tackle player. He makes plays in the passing game from a coverage perspective via interception and pass breakup. He gets after the quarterback in the blitz game. He’s got a very well-rounded skill set. He’s a fluid mover. We had to get comfortable with his medical, and we were. We brought him in on a pre-draft visit to allow our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort, and so from that perspective, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

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Pack in the Pros

Payton Wilson will Wear #41 for the Pittsburgh Steelers

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7 days ago

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April 28, 2024

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Former NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson, who was drafted by Pittsburgh in 3rd round on Friday night, will wear the #41 for the Steelers.

Wilson spent his entire collegiate career at NC State wearing the #11. He wore the #11 at Orange High School.

It will take some getting used to recognize him in the #41 jersey. Currently, Steelers Wide Receiver Van Jefferson is wearing the #11.

Here’s a look at other Pittsburgh players who have worn the #41.

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NC State Football

NC State CB Shyheim Battle Receives Invitation to Jets Rookie Mini Camp

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1 week ago

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April 28, 2024

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NC State Cornerback Shyheim Battle has received an invitation from the New York Jets to participate in their Rookie Mini Camp.

Battle had 1 year of eligibility remaining, but declared for the NFL Draft on January 3rd.

He finished this past year as the most experienced player on the Wolfpack’s defense, starting in 41 of the 51 games he has played in dating back to 2019. In a rarity in this day-and-age, Battle was a 4-year starter at the Cornerback position for NC State. He graduated with a degree in Communications.

In his final season in Red and White, Battle had 46 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 4 pass breakups and 1 fumble recovery. His PFF Grade of 70.6 was the 7th best on the Wolfpack defense.

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NC State Football

NC State PK Brayden Narveson Signs Undrafted Free Agent Deal with the Titans

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1 week ago

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April 27, 2024

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NC State Place Kicker Brayden Narveson has signed an Undrafted Free Agent Deal with the Tennessee Titans.

In his one season in Raleigh, Narveson made 18 of his 23 Field Goal attempts for the Wolfpack, and made all 38 Extra Point attempts. Narveson made some history in his one season at NC State, kicking a 57-yard Field Goal against Duke, breaking the school record for the longest Field Goal.

Narveson ranked 4th in the ACC in Field Goals attempted (23), and 5th in Field Goals made (18) this season. He ranked 9th in conference in scoring (7.1 points per game).

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