2023 NFL Draft Profile: EDGE Tyree Wilson

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Tyree Wilson originally began his college football career at Texas A&M. After redshirting during his first season there, he went on to play in 12 games for the Aggies in 2019. Thereafter, Wilson would transfer to Texas Tech. The defensive lineman would grow into a starter for the Red Raiders near the end of his first season in Lubbock in 2020. In 2021, Wilson led the team in tackles for loss (13.5) and sacks (seven). His 2022 season was cut a bit short, after suffering a reported foot injury in November. In the end, Tyree Wilson would still earn first-team All-Big 12 honors and first-team All-American honors for 2022.

Top Strengths

Explosiveness/First Step Quickness

It may not be something that resulted on every snap. Part of that could also be due to how Tyree Wilson was used at Texas Tech. Yet, the explosive first-step quickness of this defender is tantalizing. If put into the right situation and defensive scheme, Wilson can quickly muddy up the line of scrimmage and wreak havoc in the backfield with how sudden he can shoot at the snap. Simply put, that suddenness allows him to make stops against both the run and the pass.

Versatility

Tyree Wilson can align both on the EDGE and reduce inside. When lining up on the EDGE, the Texas Tech product will usually gain instant speed from a two-point stance. His get off and juice in those moments are truly special, as long as Wilson can time it up perfectly out of the blocks. When reducing down inside, Wilson appears much more comfortable as a run defender. His pad level is also much better when shooting gaps out of a three-point stance or four-point stance, to boot.

Power At The Point Of Attack

Aided by substantial length, Tyree Wilson can completely topple blockers by overpowering them, so long as he wants to. The power that he generates can completely takeover an entire series or half, if Wilson gets on a roll. His hand technique, as far as placement goes, can be hit or miss. The timing of his punches at the point of attack are truly where Wilson makes his money. If opposing offensive linemen are not ready for it, Wilson can displace them off their base in a heartbeat.

Areas Of Improvement

Hand Counter Moves

There is not enough consistency to the hand counter moves of Tyree Wilson. Most of the time, he will look to run through or around blocks. Sure, his impressive speed can sometimes put opponents on their heels. However, a more thorough pass rush plan will need to come together as Wilson matures at the NFL level. The moves that he is most comfortable with right now are the bull rush, a long-arm move and a subtle swim move. Overall, utilizing those more often was a work in progress for Wilson at Texas Tech, though.

Read And React Ability

For whatever reason, Tyree Wilson can lose sight of the ball and play direction from time to time. His eyes do not remain upfield on some reps. This can be caused by overaggressive angles and getting too far up the field. Or, Wilson will be stuck in traffic, trying to run through blocks, rather than defeat them with his hands. His awareness for both his man and the ball is not always congruent.

Pad Level

There are simply too many reps where Tyree Wilson is playing at an upright angle. As a result, many blockers have the ability to take away his leverage. His feet can stop moving, if that leverage is lost immediately. When that occurs, Wilson can get lost in no man’s land, failing to make an impact at the line of scrimmage.

Ideal Role

With his ability to move around the defensive line, Tyree Wilson may be best suited to join a multiple-front defense. That opportunity to continue to align in different shades could further make his game more well-rounded. Ideally, Wilson is likely best fit to play as a defensive end type of player in a unit that uses a 3-4 front as their base defense.

Potential Fits

If Tyree Wilson still goes in the top ten, like some have anticipated, a couple of teams make sense initially. The Seattle Seahawks have always been known to be interested in versatile, powerful defensive linemen. Elsewhere, the Detroit Lions could continue to stack their defensive line. Adding Wilson to a group that already includes the dynamic Aidan Hutchinson would surely give opposing blocking units nightmares.

Finally, a team like the New England Patriots could make sense, if Wilson begins to drop out of the top ten. A defense like New England could certainly capitalize on the physical profile of Tyree Wilson, as this new Patriot core continues to be built.

Be on the lookout for more FPC 2023 NFL Draft prospect profiles throughout the next month. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.