Quay Walker's return leaves the Green Bay Packers with a difficult decision. What should they do with Eric Wilson?
Wilson stepped into the middle linebacker role after Walker suffered a concussion against the Houston Texans two weeks ago and has become one of the Packers' best defensive players in that time.
Over the past three weeks, Wilson has made 18 tackles, two sacks, five tackles for loss, and one pass defense. How can the Packers reduce his role?
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And his strong performances aren't limited to the past three games. Despite playing a backup role in the opening five weeks of the season, Wilson made 11 tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception, and one forced fumble.
Walker didn't miss a snap in the first six weeks, but does Wilson deserve to start ahead of him at middle linebacker against the Detroit Lions?
Eric Wilson needs to play a significant role for Packers to slow down Lions' offense
It's hard to believe it's even a conversation. Wilson has played exclusively special teams for most of his career, only being a regular defensive starter for one full season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2020. But his performances this season are undeniable, and he may be a better fit to slow down Detroit's high-powered offense than Walker.
To have any chance of winning, the Packers must stop a Lions rushing attack averaging 156.7 yards on the ground per game. Wilson has offered more in run defense than Walker this season. He has a PFF run defense grade of 74.8, the second-highest on the team behind Evan Williams, while Walker has a disappointing 56.4.
Covering Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta in the middle of the field is another priority, especially with Evan Williams ruled out.
Wilson wins in that category, too.
His 85.1 PFF coverage grade is the second-highest for the Packers; Walker's 43.9 is the team's worst. Wilson has allowed six catches for 55 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, with a passer rating of 68.8 in his coverage. Walker has given up 21 completions for 203 yards and a passer rating of 94.8 in his coverage.
If we're talking overall defensive grade, Wilson ranks fourth among all linebackers in the NFL. Walker is 129th.
PFF grades aren't the be-all and end-all, but Wilson wins comfortably in almost every category, and it backs up what we've seen on the field. Walker might have the higher upside, but Wilson is making plays every week. He is defending the run at a high level, not offering much to quarterbacks in coverage, and forcing turnovers.
The Packers can't ignore Edgerrin Cooper's improving performances, either. He took home the NFC Defensive Player of the Week award after forcing a fumble and making a crucial pass defense in last week's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
It could work to reshuffle things a little, with Walker taking snaps from Isaiah McDuffie, which would allow Wilson to continue as the full-time middle linebacker.
But the answer isn't to revert to the previous depth chart where Wilson barely gets on the field (he played three defensive snaps against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 5).
Stopping the run is priority number one for the Packers' defense against the Lions. Against the pass, it's all about the middle of the field. With Jameson Williams suspended, Jared Goff will lean heavily on St. Brown and LaPorta.
Wilson has outperformed Walker in run defense and coverage and deserves to start ahead of the former first-round pick in Week 9.