The Baltimore Ravens and Carolina Panthers are favorites for former fourth-round pick, Damien Wilson this summer. According to a report, a source predicts the Dallas Cowboys could move on from the veteran linebacker after bringing him back last year. The 31-year-old came back at the end of the 2023 season campaign as a member of the practice squad. However, he’s fighting for a roster spot this upcoming NFL Training Camp and many are predicting him to be going up against other fellow youngsters to stay on the main team.
Wilson spent the first four seasons of his NFL with the Cowboys in 2015 before finding glory with the Kansas City Chiefs. However, he was an original draft pick for the Cowboys so it isn’t surprising that Dallas wants to move on to fresh new talent. It’s still troubling considering Dallas doesn’t have a lot of options at the linebacker position despite signing Eric Kendricks this offseason. Dante Fowler Jr. and Leighton Vander-Esch are no longer around so the position is a big need for the team so it may be safe to keep Wilson around to see what he does.
Wilson saw his best season with the Jacksonville Jaguars during his lone year, posting 106 tackles and three sacks. However, there are other teams like the Ravens and Panthers that could use depth at the position too. Wilson already has experience in Carolina since they’re adding Jadeveon Clowney to help alongside Shaq Thompson. His next best option would be to team up with Roquan Smith and Kyle Van Noy to be the No. 3 linebacker to see what he can do in the rotational.
The Cowboys are trying out other talents and what they can do. Wilson joining the Ravens should give him one more good run.
Ravens, Panthers Favorites for Former Fourth-Round Pick Damien Wilson
Next Possible Teams
Kansas City Chiefs
It isn’t the biggest need for an already exploding defense that has Chris Jones coming back but a reunion could make sense. Drue Tranquill, Leo Chenal and Drue Tranquill have a lot to prove this upcoming year so why not bring someone with familiarity to this defense? Steven Spagnuolo wouldn’t oppose it and neither would Wilson so this makes sense for both sides to bring him in rotation for a year to see what he could still provide for the team.
Los Angeles Chargers
As much as Jim Harbaugh wants to build a strong running game for Justin Herbert, he wants to establish a defense. They surprisingly found a way to bring back Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa who are playing nice this upcoming season. It’s hard to imagine what type of contracts they will demand in the future so at least one linebacker could be on a new roster next year. No one should expect Mack or Bosa to be around the Chargers for the long term considering there is a rumor going around involving a Bosa reunion in San Francisco.
Detroit Lions
The Lions have probably one of the most interesting linebacker groups in the NFC. They still have some questions to answer at the middle linebacker position with Jack Campbell returning. Alex Anzalone and Malcolm Rodriguez are solid at their positions so they may need someone cost-effective like Wilson to boost their productivity.
