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49ers Draft Scouting: Miami EDGE Damon Wilson II
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- 49ers Draft Scouting: Miami EDGE Damon Wilson II
Miami transfer edge rusher Damon Wilson II had been quiet through four weeks, but had a breakout performance in the Hurricane's week five win. Wilson's otherworldly burst and pass-rush refinement make him a tempting 2027 NFL Draft prospect for the San Francisco 49ers .
Wilson spent two years at Georgia before transferring to Missouri in 2025. He had a successful year in Columbia, tallying nine sacks and 50 pressures. Following this, he once again entered the portal and ended up at Miami.
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Despite being labelled as a premier transfer, Wilson only tallied one sack and nine pressures through four games. However, he dominated this past week, racking up 2.5 sacks and 11 pressures against Clemson. Now, he can establish himself as a top edge rusher next April if he continues this trend.
Wilson, the six-foot-four, 250-pound senior, is a superhuman athlete. He has a lightning-quick first step and instantly threatens the outside shoulder. He thrives at converting speed-to-power and can bull-rush his matchup back into the quarterback. Beyond this, he's relentless and is excellent in pursuit, using his speed to close ground.
This alone makes him a dangerous pass rusher, but his refinement and technique separate him from the competition. He has a vast arsenal of moves he implements to keep the opposing lineman guessing and off-balance. This, plus his violent hand usage, makes him a game-wrecking presence that offensive coordinators must plan around,
Wilson's primary concern is his run defense. Currently, he's a subpar run defender and will be a designated pass rusher in the NFL. He consistently gets bullied by offensive linemen and even struggles to separate against tight ends. Additionally, he's commonly missed tackles throughout his career.
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Because of this, Wilson's a day-two prospect right now. His developing his run defense is the difference between being a day-one pick or sliding until Friday.
The 49ers' edge rusher unit is defined by its inconsistency. They have talent, headlined by former Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa and 2025 first-round pick Mykel Williams, but they've been tormented by injuries. As a result, it's arguably the roster's biggest weakness and must be addressed next offseason.
Fortunately for them, a promising 2027 defensive line class awaits in April. There are numerous options, but Miami's Damon Wilson is an attractive target with his elite athleticism and pass-rush prowess. It's still early, but don't be shocked to hear Wilson's name during the pre-draft process for the 49ers.
