A week ago, it didn’t seem likely that the Raiders would select a defensive end in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. Analysts were convinced that the silver and black would take their chances with a quarterback or defensive back. Names like Will Levis and Christian Gonzalez came up, but general manager Dave Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels picked defensive end Tyree Wilson instead. The 6’6 edge rusher was taken at number 7 in the first round with hopes of competing alongside all-pro defensive end Maxx Crosby.
Tyree Wilson, an outside linebacker at Texas Tech, was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the seventh overall pick on Thursday night’s opening of the 2023 NFL Draft, making him the highest-drafted defensive player in school history.
It didn’t take long for Wilson to hear his name called. Wilson is the 10th Red Raider to ever be picked in the first round and the fourth player on the defensive side of the ball, capping a successful three-year career at Texas Tech.
Tyree Wilson’s 2022 Stats
School: Texas A&M/Texas Tech
Height: 6-6
Weight: 271 pounds
Position: Outside linebacker/Edge-rusher
Years Active: 2018-2022
| YEAR | GAMES | AST TKL | SOLO TKL | TFL | SACKS | TOT TKL | FF | PD |
| 2018 (TA&M) | Redshirt | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2019 (TA&M) | 11 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 1.5 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 (TTU) | 9 | 3 | 7 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 (TTU) | 13 | 12 | 26 | 13.5 | 7 | 38 | 0 | 1 |
| 2022 (TTU) | 10 | 25 | 36 | 14 | 7 | 61 | 1 | 0 |
| Career | 43 | 45 | 76 | 33 | 17 | 122 | 1 | 1 |
Transferring from Texas A & M (college) to Texas Tech
Wilson only played for Texas A&M for one season following his Redshirt year. He spent his final three seasons with Texas Tech and broke out in 2021 and ’22. Wilson ended his college career with 121 total tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 76 solo tackles, 17 sacks, one fumble recovery, one pass deflection, and one forced fumble.
Wilson explained why he opted to play for the Red Raiders after two years under Jimbo Fisher.
“I went to Texas A&M first, you know, went there for two years … but just didn’t feel like that was home,” Wilson said on NFL Network to Peter Schrager. “Got in the portal and then (I built that relationship at) Texas Tech and was around great people, and they helped me get me to this journey.”
Wilson Foot Injury in 2022
During his time at Texas Tech, Wilson suffered a foot injury. The injury raised serious concerns for some NFL Draught teams. The Raiders, however, seem confident in Wilson’s health. According to Anthony Galaviz of The Fresno Bee, Wilson was ready to demonstrate that Las Vegas were right to believe in him.
Wilson reportedly planted to push off on a pass rush during a non-contact play, resulting in an injury. His recovery trajectory has been concerning up to this point, but it’s certainly possible that his foot is completely healed and he’s ready for the season.
Wilson’s NFL Combine
Wilson, 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 271 pounds, possesses the size and physicality required to play in the NFL. He has excellent quarterback-finding instincts and is a strong pass rusher. It’s not evident if he can still dominate offensive linemen the way he did in college because he’s not the swiftest defensive end one will find. Wilson will need to either do that or learn more delicate pass-rush techniques to accompany his strong-arm strategy.
Size (NFL Combine)
Height: 6′ 6″
Weight: 271 lbs
Arm Length: 35 5/8″
Hand Size: 9 5/8″
Athletic Testing (NFL Combine)
40-yard Dash: N/A
Vertical Jump: N/A
Broad Jump: N/A
Short-Shuttle: N/A
Three-Cone: N/A
Bench Reps: 23 reps
Ideal Role: 3-4 defensive end in odd front
Scheme Fit: Multiple
TDN Consensus Grade: 85/100 (First-Round Value)
Sanchez Grade: 85/100
Note: Wilson only benched at the combine since he was still recovering from foot surgery.
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