Texas Tech go rusher Tyree Wilson has the very best upside of any defender within the 2023 NFL Draft

It looks as if a foregone conclusion {that a} run on quarterbacks will occur early within the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, and Indianapolis Colts all have choices inside the first 4 picks, and all three groups are in want of a long-term reply at quarterback. The Arizona Cardinals at present maintain the No. 3 choice, however groups just like the Las Vegas Raiders and Atlanta Falcons — together with darkish horses just like the Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, and Tennessee Titans — might current a proposal to accumulate that choice.

No matter when the consensus 4 high quarterbacks get picked, it appears doubtless the primary non-quarterback chosen this yr will likely be an edge rusher. Alabama’s Will Anderson has a extra substantial collegiate resume, however one might argue that it’s Tyree Wilson of Texas Tech who has the very best ceiling of any defender within the 2023 draft.

Tyree Wilson’s strengths

Tyree Wilson is what would occur should you constructed an edge rusher in a lab.

him, he matches the mildew of what you need in a go rusher on the subsequent degree. He’s tall, muscular, and has extremely lengthy limbs. That sheer dimension helps him out on the level of assault, the place he showcases good grip energy and the power to transform velocity to energy. For an even bigger edge rusher, Wilson additionally accelerates fairly nicely off the road of scrimmage. His first step is spectacular, and he’s able to chasing down bottom runs in pursuit.

He began off uncooked, however his hand utilization has improved fairly a bit on the collegiate degree. Over time, Wilson confirmed super improvement as a go rusher. He can win with pure velocity and energy, however he has a pleasant long-arm, a great swim transfer, efficient two-hand shucks, and a strong rip. It helps that he additionally performs with a persistently excessive motor, and he’s a flexible defender who can kick inside in particular subpackages.

Tyree Wilson’s weaknesses

As gifted as Wilson is from a bodily perspective, he’s nonetheless a piece in progress.

Being a taller edge rusher, it may be tough for Wilson to get his weight beneath him. This results in poor knee bend, which impacts his anchor towards the run and the way nicely he turns the nook. The angles he takes in pursuit are typically a bit rounded, and a scarcity of top-notch ankle flexion provides onto these flexibility points. Wilson can even sometimes battle with making correct reads towards the run, which results in him sometimes shedding include when he units the sting.

Tyree Wilson highlights

Tyree Wilson’s 2023 NFL Mix outcomes

Wilson didn’t carry out athletic testing on the NFL Scouting Mix, however he did measure in at 6-foot-6 and 271 kilos with 35 5/8-inch arms, the latter measurement putting him within the 96th percentile amongst edge rushers. He additionally put up 23 bench press reps.

A few of his notable Mockdraftable athletic profile comparisons embody Chandler Jones and Aldon Smith.

What others are saying about Tyree Wilson

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com had the next to say about Wilson:

Lengthy-limbed defender who figures to show right into a full-blown nightmare for opponents if he continues to develop into each his body and his sport. Wilson’s mixture of traits and athleticism ought to yield flashes of dominant play in each phases as he continues to get greater and stronger. His size and lateral quickness are substances for chaos as a back-side run sport disruptor. He’s able to ranging and tackling from distance if the run flows vast. On the flip aspect, he’s not very instinctive as a run defender and his play demeanor might stand to be a bit thornier when attacking blocks. Wilson has the bodily instruments to create pocket push as an influence rusher early on, however the hand utilization and rush plan will want tutoring for him to change into a well-rounded, two-way rusher. He won’t set the world on fireplace in 12 months 1, however the expertise and vaulted ceiling will likely be straightforward to see quickly sufficient.

Wilson’s at his greatest as a stand-up edge however has the size and dimension to undertaking as scheme-versatile. He’s a piece in progress however has super bodily abilities and confirmed encouraging progress as a technician from 2021 to 2022. He must be a top-10 decide and off of upside alone, has an honest argument to be the primary defender chosen this yr.