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Martez Wilson | Linebacker

Team: New Orleans Saints
Age / DOB:  (24) / 9/21/1988
Ht / Wt:  6'4' / 252
College: Illinois
Contract: view contract details
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Saints 2011 third-round pick Martez Wilson will push Victor Butler to start at strong-side outside linebacker in Rob Ryan's 3-4 defense.
Will Smith and Junior Galette are competing on the weak side. The strong side is less sack- and production-friendly, as it lines up over the tight end and drops into coverage more. Butler is the favorite because of his Dallas ties to Ryan, but Wilson could earn a situational pass-rush role in nickel packages. May 17 - 2:54 PM
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune

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Player News

Date:
Martez Wilson - LB - Saints

The New Orleans Times-Picayune names Martez Wilson and Junior Galette as two defenders likeliest to benefit from the Saints' move to a 3-4.

Wilson, a linebacker at Illinois, flashed with three sacks as a nickel pass rusher in 2012 and at 6-foot-4, 252, is built like a 3-4 outside linebacker. Galette, who goes 6-foot-2, 258, racked up five sacks in a rotational role. It's conceivable that Galette and Wilson could open the 2013 season as New Orleans' bookend outside rushers with Cam Jordan and Akiem Hicks on the ends.
Related: Junior Galette
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune
Jan 25 - 3:11 PM
Martez Wilson - LB - Saints

Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is happy with the transition Martez Wilson has made from linebacker to defensive end.

At 250 pounds, Wilson is a little light to defend the run in Spagnuolo's 4-3. But he can rush the passer and should be strong when asked to drop into coverage. Wilson, who isn't even guaranteed regular playing time, certainly doesn't lack for confidence while making the change. "I see myself being a Hall of Famer one day," he said.
Source: SportsNOLA.com
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 10:31:00 AM
Martez Wilson - LB - Saints

Saints second-year LB Martez Wilson is practicing at defensive end at OTAs.

The 2011 third-round pick could be headed for a hybrid role in an effort to get Wilson on the field. He worked as the Saints' second-team right defensive end in Thursday's OTA practice, with Greg Romeus at left end. RE Will Smith and LE Cam Jordan are the starters. Wilson played 130 defensive snaps as a rookie.
Source: Mike Triplett on Twitter
Thu, May 24, 2012 12:16:00 PM
Martez Wilson - LB - Saints

Martez Wilson is expected to be ready to compete for the Saints' starting strong-side linebacker job this season.

The No. 72 pick in last year’s draft, Wilson saw limited action as a rookie. Newcomer Chris Chamberlain will work on the weak side and a potential Jonathan Vilma suspension would keep Curtis Lofton in the middle. Wilson will compete with Will Herring and possibly Scott Shanle for starter’s snaps on the strong side. It’s the 23-year-old's job to lose.
Related: Scott Shanle, Will Herring, Chris Chamberlain
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune
Sun, Apr 1, 2012 10:06:00 AM
Martez Wilson - LB - Saints

Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams confirmed that he envisions No. 72 overall pick Martez Wilson as a strong-side linebacker.

"He's the first guy we've had in here that really fits the profile of a Scott Fujita," Williams said. "... We were fortunate to get him where we got him (in Round 3)." Wilson is expected to compete with Jo-Lonn Dunbar for a starting job. The weak-side 'backer spot is likely Jonathan Casillas' to lose.
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune
Mon, May 16, 2011 02:32:00 PM
Martez Wilson - LB - Saints

Third-rounder Martez Wilson is expected to begin his Saints career on the strong side.

Part-timer Danny Clark excelled last season, but he turns 34 this week and the Saints haven't placed a priority on re-signing him. Wilson will likely battle JoLonn Dunbar for the starting strong-side job.
Related: Jo-Lonn Dunbar
Source: NewOrleans.com
Fri, May 6, 2011 10:00:00 AM
Martez Wilson - LB - Saints

Saints selected Illinois LB Martez Wilson with the No. 72 overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft.

Wilson is a tall, athletic linebacker at 6'4"/250 with the ability to play inside or out. After posting an outstanding fourth-year Junior season with 112 tackles and four sacks, Wilson blew up the Combine with the fastest linebacker time. Another front-seven weapon for coordinator Gregg Williams, Wilson projects to outside linebacker in New Orleans.
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 09:04:00 PM
Martez Wilson - LB - Saints

The Chicago Tribune's Dan Pompei thinks the Bears should search for Brian Urlacher's successor in this spring's draft.

He lists Illinois ILB Martez Wilson as a possibility on day one, but admits they likely won't use a first-round pick on a player who may provide no immediate impact. Pompei believes the Bears are better off addressing their two most glaring needs, offensive line and defensive tackle, through free agency. We still strongly suspect Chicago will draft DT or OL at No. 29.
Related: Bears
Source: Chicago Tribune
Sat, Apr 16, 2011 02:55:00 PM
Martez Wilson - LB - Saints

Illinois ILB Martez Wilson struggled at the Fighting Illini Pro Day according to multiple accounts.

Wilson demonstrated "stiffness," according to Sporting News' Russ Lande, and CBS Sports' Rob Rang heard even more scathing reviews. "Everyone left that workout disappointed with him," said one scout. "His footwork was bad, his hands were bad, even his countenance was bad. ... He didn't look like he wanted to be there." This won't ease concern that Wilson was a workout wonder at the Combine, running the fastest forty among linebackers.
Source: CBS Sports
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 10:24:00 AM
Martez Wilson - LB - Saints

Illinois ILB Martez Wilson ran the fastest forty time among linebackers at the Scouting Combine, registering an official 4.49.

Unofficially, he was clocked as fast as 4.44. "He's just blowing it up athletically," said NFL Network's Mike Mayock. Wilson was a bit of a surprise as an underclassman entrant into the draft, but it appears he's plenty ready. After a monster fourth-year junior season, the 6-foot-4, 250-pound inside linebacker is proving to be a physical freak. He's put his name into the mix for late first-round consideration.
Source: Profootballtalk on NBC Sports
Mon, Feb 28, 2011 01:41:00 PM

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