VDT: Texas Tech EDGE Tyree Wilson Has Elite Potential as a Pass Rusher
Over the course of the offseason, Texas Tech EDGE Tyree Wilson has been one of the fastest risers for the 2023 NFL Draft. Today, we are going to evaluate how high he should be taken in this draft as part of the Vikings Draft Thermometer, PurplePTSD‘s one-stop shop for all your 2023 NFL Draft needs.
Throughout this series, we have examined a number of prospects ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, what exactly their role could be at the NFL level, and most importantly, whether or not they could end up playing their first NFL snaps in a Vikings uniform.
Background
- Height: 6′ 6″
- Weight: 271 pounds
- Arm Length: 35 5/8″
- Hand Size: 9 5/8″
- School: Texas Tech
- Games Watched: Houston (2022), NC State (2022), TCU (2022), Kansas (2022)
Statistics
- 2019: 12 tackles, 3 TFLs, 1.5 sacks (5 games)
- 2020: 10 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks (7 games)
- 2021: 38 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, 7 sacks, 1 pass defended (13 games)
- 2022: 61 tackles, 14 TFLs, 7 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery (10 games)
Strengths
Tyree Wilson thrives off some ridiculous length, allowing him to win leverage battles against many of the offensive tackles he faces with his nearly 36-inch arms. Learning how to use this to his advantage certainly helped him pile up pressures and sacks over his final two seasons at Texas Tech.
His tackling has progressively gotten better over the past few years, and he is a very competent run-stopper in addition to his pass-rush threat, making him a very versatile defender when he’s at his best. And again, his length allows him to wrap up plays when other smaller defenders wouldn’t be able to.
Weaknesses
While Wilson has all the tools to be a Pro Bowl pass-rusher, the biggest concern is health. A foot injury ended his 2022 season, and the resulting surgery was also the reason he didn’t participate in the NFL combine. Durability will certainly be a concern.
In terms of actual play on the field, Wilson lands below Will Anderson on the draft board largely due to a lack of burst off the line of scrimmage. He largely relies on strength to overpower offensive linemen rather than his athleticism. He needs to find a happy medium between the two in order to be a top EDGE in the NFL.
He also is a tad too tall for his own good, throwing off his center of gravity with how much easier it is for opponents to stay low against him.
NFL Projection
- Draft Round: Top 10-Mid First Round
- Immediate Role: Starting EDGE if healthy
- Best-Case Scenario: Cam Jordan
- Vikings Draft Temperature: 15
Ultimately, Tyree Wilson shouldn’t be taken before Will Anderson as some have suggested, but he is certainly one of the more talented players in this class. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him taken in the top 10 despite any lingering injury concerns.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.